Monthly Archives: November 2017
3 standout performers from Monday’s NHL action
While the majority of the hockey world's attention was directed at the Hall of Fame for this year's induction ceremony, a tiny two-game schedule offered some particularly impressive performances.
Here are three players that stood out Monday night in the NHL:
Teuvo Teravainen
Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie with the Dallas Stars entering the third period, Teravainen took matters into his own hands and earned his Carolina Hurricanes a win.
The 23-year-old netted a natural hat trick in just over seven minutes in the third period, and also added an assist on Carolina's first goal. With a four-point output on Monday, Teravainen now has six points in his last three games.
Mark Jankowski
(Photo Courtesy: Action Images)
One game after he potted the first goal of his career, Jankowski solidified his case to maintain a spot in the Calgary Flames' lineup by netting two goals and adding a primary assist for the best performance of his young career.
Suiting up in the middle between Sam Bennett and Jaromir Jagr, Jankowski looked dangerous all night, and could prove to be an effective solution to help alleviate some of the Flames' scoring woes.
Jordan Staal
While Teravainen was the finisher for Carolina, Staal was the set-up man, recording a selfless four assists.
Three of Staal's helpers we're primary, and the veteran pivot is now up to 13 points in 16 games - putting him on an early pace to reach a career-high 66 this season.
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Devils condemned to fall despite red-hot start to season
After losing only two games in October, the New Jersey Devils firmly placed themselves on the NHL's radar as a potential up-and-comer for the 2017-18 season.
Now midway through the second month of the campaign, the Devils have yet to fade, currently 11-4-2 with 24 points through 17 game. It's a point total good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference and tied for third overall.
After finishing dead last in the East last season, few, if anybody, predicted the Devils would be able to amount to very much this time around, even after winning the draft lottery and adding Nico Hischier to the fold.
Yet, there are the Devils, sitting atop a jumbled Metropolitan Division with a three-point advantage while holding one game at hand ahead of their nearest chasers. But how long can it last?
While the Devils' record may suggest they look like a surprise contender through the early portion of the season, the underlying numbers propping up New Jersey's success look poised to crater.
To illustrate why New Jersey is trending toward regression, have a look at some numbers from last season, when the Devils finished in 27th place.
| Category | League Rank |
|---|---|
| CF% | 47.83 (27th) |
| xGF% | 47.81 (26th) |
| Scoring Chances For | 1529 (30th) |
| High Danger Chances For | 592 (27th) |
| Sh% | 6.36 (28th) |
| Sv% | 0.924 (12th) |
| PDO | 98.93 (24th) |
And so far this season:
| Category | League Rank |
|---|---|
| CF% | 45.24 (30th) |
| xGF% | 47.31 (24th) |
| Scoring Chances For | 355 (20th) |
| High Danger Chances For | 137 (15th) |
| Sh% | 10.37 (2nd) |
| Sv% | .932 (4th) |
| PDO | 103.6 (1st) |
(All Stats at 5-on-5, courtesy Corsica, Natural Stat Trick)
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Looking at the numbers, two things stand out: Goaltender Cory Schneider is bouncing back from a difficult season a year ago, and Devils shooters are converting their chances regularly. However, New Jersey isn't generating enough of those chances for this trend to sustain itself.
Teams with similar shooting percentages to New Jersey this season - Toronto, Tampa Bay, Winnipeg, among others - all have elite shooting talent throughout their respective lineups, something the Devils lack. Taylor Hall is near his career average at 10.7 percent for the season, but nine other skaters on the roster are at or above that threshold so far, including Brian Gibbons (eight goals, 33.3 percent), Miles Wood (six goals, 17.3 percent), and rookie Jesper Bratt (five goals, 17.2 percent). That's not elite shooting talent, and it's not going to last.
On the defensive side of things, it doesn't get much better. In terms of shot suppression, New Jersey has given up the second-most attempts per 60 minutes (62.54), and more than half of those attempts get through to the goal, as the Devils rank 30th of 31 teams with 35.5 shots allowed per contest.
It seems every season, one particular team tends to overachieve, riding a high shooting percentage to unpredictable success. Sometimes - as in the case of the 2014 Colorado Avalanche - the wave can carry a team all the way to the playoffs. But in all cases like New Jersey is currently demonstrating, luck, eventually, runs out.
Given how Schneider has performed so far - a .922 save percentage through 12 starts - the Devils' unforeseen fortune may carry on a little longer, but labeling this unit as one that's much improved, or one destined to contend, appears to be an illusion.
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Devils condemned to fall despite red-hot start to season
After losing only two games in October, the New Jersey Devils firmly placed themselves on the NHL's radar as a potential up-and-comer for the 2017-18 season.
Now midway through the second month of the campaign, the Devils have yet to fade, currently 11-4-2 with 24 points through 17 game. It's a point total good enough for second place in the Eastern Conference and tied for third overall.
After finishing dead last in the East last season, few, if anybody, predicted the Devils would be able to amount to very much this time around, even after winning the draft lottery and adding Nico Hischier to the fold.
Yet, there are the Devils, sitting atop a jumbled Metropolitan Division with a three-point advantage while holding one game at hand ahead of their nearest chasers. But how long can it last?
While the Devils' record may suggest they look like a surprise contender through the early portion of the season, the underlying numbers propping up New Jersey's success look poised to crater.
To illustrate why New Jersey is trending toward regression, have a look at some numbers from last season, when the Devils finished in 27th place.
| Category | League Rank |
|---|---|
| CF% | 47.83 (27th) |
| xGF% | 47.81 (26th) |
| Scoring Chances For | 1529 (30th) |
| High Danger Chances For | 592 (27th) |
| Sh% | 6.36 (28th) |
| Sv% | 0.924 (12th) |
| PDO | 98.93 (24th) |
And so far this season:
| Category | League Rank |
|---|---|
| CF% | 45.24 (30th) |
| xGF% | 47.31 (24th) |
| Scoring Chances For | 355 (20th) |
| High Danger Chances For | 137 (15th) |
| Sh% | 10.37 (2nd) |
| Sv% | .932 (4th) |
| PDO | 103.6 (1st) |
(All Stats at 5-on-5, courtesy Corsica, Natural Stat Trick)
(Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)
Looking at the numbers, two things stand out: Goaltender Cory Schneider is bouncing back from a difficult season a year ago, and Devils shooters are converting their chances regularly. However, New Jersey isn't generating enough of those chances for this trend to sustain itself.
Teams with similar shooting percentages to New Jersey this season - Toronto, Tampa Bay, Winnipeg, among others - all have elite shooting talent throughout their respective lineups, something the Devils lack. Taylor Hall is near his career average at 10.7 percent for the season, but nine other skaters on the roster are at or above that threshold so far, including Brian Gibbons (eight goals, 33.3 percent), Miles Wood (six goals, 17.3 percent), and rookie Jesper Bratt (five goals, 17.2 percent). That's not elite shooting talent, and it's not going to last.
On the defensive side of things, it doesn't get much better. In terms of shot suppression, New Jersey has given up the second-most attempts per 60 minutes (62.54), and more than half of those attempts get through to the goal, as the Devils rank 30th of 31 teams with 35.5 shots allowed per contest.
It seems every season, one particular team tends to overachieve, riding a high shooting percentage to unpredictable success. Sometimes - as in the case of the 2014 Colorado Avalanche - the wave can carry a team all the way to the playoffs. But in all cases like New Jersey is currently demonstrating, luck, eventually, runs out.
Given how Schneider has performed so far - a .922 save percentage through 12 starts - the Devils' unforeseen fortune may carry on a little longer, but labeling this unit as one that's much improved, or one destined to contend, appears to be an illusion.
Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
Vasilevskiy highlights latest crop of young Russian stars
With each passing day, the NHL becomes increasingly a young man's game. Some of the game's best players are barely old enough to buy a drink, but that isn't stopping them from taking the league by storm.
This trend is especially evident when you take a look at Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy and some of the other young Russian-born players making their mark in NHL rinks.
Let's take a quick look into the latest crop of young Russian stars.
Pavel Buchnevich, RW - New York Rangers
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Size, speed, and skill, this 22-year-old has it all. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, Buchnevich is a physical force who can shoot the puck with the best of them.
Across the first 18 games of the season, the winger has impressive numbers while playing on the Rangers' top line with Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad.
Buchnevich is just starting to scratch the surface of his offensive potential, but he already has eight goals and seven assists this season.
Evgenii Dadonov, RW - Florida Panthers
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
A longstanding fixture in KHL arenas, Dadonov is making a seemingly seamless transition to the NHL's smaller rinks.
At 28 years old, Dadonov might fall out of the "young" category, but that doesn't change the fact the NHL rookie can still produce. Last season for SKA St. Petersburg, Dadonov finished fifth in KHL scoring with 66 points. And while the top five might be a tall ask this year for the diminutive winger (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), Dadonov's slick hands make up for what he lacks in size.
Through 16 games for the Panthers, Dadonov has impressed, sitting fourth in team scoring with seven goals and nine assists.
Vladislav Namestnikov, C - Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman's patience with the 24-year-old sniper is paying off in spades.
The high-flying Lightning sit atop the Eastern Conference with 30 points, and with Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos leading the charge, Namestnikov's solid start has mostly gone overlooked.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Sure, fans in Tampa and more dedicated hockey circles know who he is, especially after he suited up for Russia at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, but Namestnikov has spent most of his career under the radar - until now.
In addition to contributing offensively (nine goals, 10 assists this season), the talented pivot plays a strong two-way game while possessing keen playmaking abilities.
Nikita Zaitsev, D - Toronto Maple Leafs
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Similar to Dadonov, Zaitsev had a lengthy career in his homeland before making the jump across the pond, playing in seven KHL seasons.
Another member of Russia's 2016 World Cup squad, the 26-year-old has cemented himself as a top-four NHL defenseman while carving out a key contributing role on Toronto's blue line.
Logging heavy minutes, playing special teams, or chipping in with a timely goal, Zaitsev really can do it all.
Ivan Provorov, D - Philadelphia Flyers
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
The youngest member of the group at only 20, Provorov is a gifted rearguard who can be a difference-maker at both ends of the ice.
At 6-foot-1, 201 pounds, the former seventh overall pick moves extremely well for a bigger guy, while also being able to contribute offensively.
The former CHL Defenseman of the Year has 38 points across his first 99 NHL games, and stands to be a key piece of the Flyers' defensive future.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, G - Tampa Bay Lightning
The inspiration for this piece has also been a revelation for the Lightning, as Vasilevskiy sits near the top of most goaltending categories, including wins (13) and save percentage (.930).
Another result of Yzerman's zen-like patience, Vasilevskiy is finally Tampa's uncontested No. 1, and let's just say, he looks like he should've been for quite some time.
A sparkling 13-1-1 record has the 23-year-old in early Vezina Trophy conversations.
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Latest Vegas odds peg Lightning, Penguins as Cup favorites
When you start the season 12-2-2, you've earned the right to be called Stanley Cup favorites. Such is the case with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who have earned 30 of a possible 36 points to begin the campaign.
That part makes sense.
What is more curious, however, is that Las Vegas oddsmakers have listed the Pittsburgh Penguins as the second favorite along with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Penguins are 9-7-3 and play awful away from home, so to be sitting as the second favorites almost a quarter into the year doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But, then again, the club still does employ the services of a couple of guys named Sid and Geno, so we really shouldn't be all that shocked that Pittsburgh is among those currently favored to take home Lord Stanley's mug.
Here is the complete list of updated odds for 2018 Stanley Cup winner. Hedge your bets accordingly:
| Team | Opening Odds | Current Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 10/1 | 6/1 |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 8/1 | 10/1 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 14/1 | 10/1 |
| Dallas Stars | 14/1 | 12/1 |
| Los Angeles Kings | 20/1 | 12/1 |
| St. Louis Blues | 30/1 | 12/1 |
| Edmonton Oilers | 10/1 | 14/1 |
| Nashville Predators | 14/1 | 14/1 |
| Anaheim Ducks | 14/1 | 16/1 |
| Washington Capitals | 10/1 | 20/1 |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 12/1 | 20/1 |
| Minnesota Wild | 14/1 | 20/1 |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 20/1 | 20/1 |
| San Jose Sharks | 20/1 | 20/1 |
| Ottawa Senators | 30/1 | 20/1 |
| New York Rangers | 14/1 | 25/1 |
| Winnipeg Jets | 40/1 | 25/1 |
| Montreal Canadiens | 14/1 | 30/1 |
| Calgary Flames | 30/1 | 30/1 |
| New York Islanders | 40/1 | 40/1 |
| New Jersey Devils | 100/1 | 40/1 |
| Boston Bruins | 30/1 | 50/1 |
| Philadelphia Flyers | 40/1 | 50/1 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | 60/1 | 50/1 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 200/1 | 60/1 |
| Vancouver Canucks | 100/1 | 80/1 |
| Florida Panthers | 40/1 | 100/1 |
| Buffalo Sabres | 60/1 | 100/1 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 100/1 | 100/1 |
| Colorado Avalanche | 100/1 | 1000/1 |
| Arizona Coyotes | 100/1 | 1000/1 |
(Odds courtesy: Westgate Superbook)
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Why Tuukka Rask is no longer an elite goalie
Over the last handful of years there have been some constants with the Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron will win faceoffs, Brad Marchand will piss off the opposition, and Tuukka Rask will pester opposing shooters.
For the most part, this still remains the case today, albeit with one asterisk; Rask has not been the stellar goaltender that fans have come to expect.
Since collecting the Vezina Trophy during the 2013-14 campaign, Rask's play has been quietly declining. He remains a steady option for the Bruins and doesn't deserve to be run out of town, but many of the underlying numbers are quite telling.
Since being named the league's top goaltender three seasons ago, Rask has put up a respectable 105-69-28 record in 210 games, but claims a save percentage of .917 and a goals-against average of 2.39. Those totals are just the 22nd- and 18th-best, respectively, among all goaltenders to play at least 50 games - fair, but not elite. His even-strength save percentage over that time sits at .923, good enough for only the 26th spot.
Of course, there is the quality of shots Rask has faced over the last three years. Once again, the numbers are alarming.
| Category | Stat (Rank) |
|---|---|
| LDSV% | 98.41 (8th) |
| LDSA | 2 331 (2nd) |
| MDSV% | 91.43 (45th) |
| MDSA | 1 482 (2nd) |
| HDSV% | 75.62 (56th) |
| HDSA | 730 (12th) |
Among the 60 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes at 5-on-5.
Here you can see Rask has faced the second-most low-danger and mid-danger shots among qualified goalies, but while his low-danger save percentage ranks high, the better the quality of chances, the lower Rask ranks - much lower.
Among all 60 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes Rask has the 45th- and 56th- ranked mid-danger and high-danger save percentages at 5-on-5, respectively.
What makes these numbers so troublesome is how they compare to the three-year span from 2011-12 to the 2013-14 campaign.
During those three years, Rask boasted the top save percentage and even-strength save percentage at .929 and .938 marks, respectively, while also accumulating a 2.03 goals-against average, good enough for third overall.
The shot-quality metrics were also much more in his favor during that time.
| Category | Stat (Rank) |
|---|---|
| LDSV% | 97.96 (21st) |
| LDSA | 1 326 (17th) |
| MDSV% | 92.03 (26th) |
| MDSA | 816 (23rd) |
| HDSV% | 84 (2nd) |
| HDSA | 425 (26th) |
Among the 47 goalies to play at least 2,500 minutes at 5-on-5.
What's most startling here is that Rask - unlike in recent years - actually thrived in high-danger situations, stopping the second-highest percentage of high-danger shots in the league.
It's worth noting that Rask faced far fewer shots against across the board during this time, which is due in part to the fact Tim Thomas played the majority of games during the 2011-12 season.
All things considered, it's quite evident that Rask has seen a drop in his play. That being said, the Bruins are no longer the team they once were. Zdeno Chara has begun to show his age, the team's defense corps is not nearly as strong, and overall, the team no longer thrives playing a defensive brand of hockey.
All of this can impact Rask's play, but it can't explain it all. This season, Rask is off to a 3-6-2 start in 11 games, owning a 2.79 goals-against average and a .901 save percentage. Consequently, the Bruins sit just four points above the Eastern Conference basement.
At just 30 years old, Rask should not be seeing this type of regression solely due to aging. He remains under contract for the next three seasons and will make $7 million per year; that's elite money for a goaltender that no longer should be considered as such.
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Zucker, Kucherov, Holtby crowned 3 stars of the week
Some heavy lifting has earned Minnesota Wild forward Jason Zucker first star of the week honors.
The 25-year-old paced the league in scoring with six goals and seven points in four games, including his first career hat trick to help his club earn a split on its Eastern road trip. Zucker has been a lone wolf in the Wild's goal-scoring department over the last three games, tallying the team's last six goals.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov earned yet another weekly star honor after recording two goals and five assists in three games. He continues to lead the league with 16 goals. His strong showing also helped him and forward Steven Stamkos become the first teammates since the 2005-06 season to reach the 30-point mark before their club's 20th game of the year.
Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby rounds out the three stars after going a perfect 3-0-0 with a .952 save percentage and a 1.27 goals-against average. The week included a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins that saw the 28-year-old become the second-fastest goalie in NHL history to record 200 wins.
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Senators activate Ryan from injured reserve
The Ottawa Senators have activated forward Bobby Ryan and defenseman Mark Borowiecki from injured reserve, the club announced Monday.
Ryan will be reinserted into the lineup Thursday when the Sens take on the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun.
Expect Bobby Ryan to start with Matt Duchene. My belief is Boucher wants to see if there's a fit there. #Sens
— Bruce Garrioch (@SunGarrioch) November 13, 2017
Ryan has missed the club's last eight games after suffering a broken finger during a 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 21.
While he will enter the lineup still searching for his first goal of the season, the 30-year-old has collected six assists in eight contests.
Borowiecki, meanwhile, has been activated after missing the team's last five games with an illness.
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