Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson was held without a point for the 10th consecutive game Wednesday night during the team's 3-0 loss at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.
The streak is the longest drought in Karlsson's illustrious career, which was previously held at eight games, set during his 2009-10 rookie season.
Unsurprisingly, the Senators have struggled amid the lack of offense from their best player, compiling a 1-8-1 record during those contests.
Amazingly, Karlsson still has 17 points in 21 games despite the cold spell. He surely doesn't care about his overall individual performance as the Sens continue to fall in the standings and sit in sixth in the Atlantic Division.
Andersen was named one of the three stars of the month after posting a 9-2-1 record with a 2.14 goals-against average and .938 save percentage in November, and his strong play's continued into December, though the Leafs haven't always been at their best in front of him.
He stopped 47 of 48 shots in Toronto's 2-1 shootout win over the Calgary Flames, moving into the league lead in wins that took 40 or more saves with four victories this season, according to NHL Public Relations.
The win also bumped his career record in games where he made at least 40 saves to 10-2-2.
It may not be all that uncommon for a goaltender to find their comfort zone with more work, but Andersen's proving that he is capable of stealing a victory even when the rest of his team doesn't necessarily bring its A game.
Despite the apparently harmless result, Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock wasn't impressed by Tkachuk's spear, though he noted that the 19-year-old had played well otherwise.
Matthew Tkachuk has already been punished once by the NHL this season, and another call could be coming.
The young Calgary Flames forward jabbed Toronto Maple Leafs grinder Matt Martin while standing on the bench as the teams were wrapped up in a scrum in the first period Wednesday night.
Tkachuk was suspended one game for a similar incident last month, in which he struck Detroit Red Wings winger Luke Witkowski in the back of the leg with his stick, inciting further fisticuffs in that melee.
Given the latest incident and his recent history, does the 19-year-old Flames agitator deserve a suspension for this?
Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz has juggled his lines more this season than perhaps any other bench boss in the NHL, but he may have finally found a trio that could stick: Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, and ... Tom Wilson?
Yes, Wilson, the team's bodyguard, has gelled with two of the league's most skilled players. Heading into Wednesday night's tilt with the Chicago Blackhawks, the line had already proved to be one of the team's best (only lines with at least 50 five-on-five minutes together were included):
Stat
Result
Team rank
CF%
55.94
3rd
GF%
75
2nd
xG+/-
0.5
2nd
P+/-
+5
1st
Legend: CF% = Corsi For percentage GF% = Goals For percentage xG+/- = Expected goals plus/minus P+/- = Penalty differential
These numbers are about to rise, as Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Wilson each notched a goal in the first period of their meeting with the Hawks. In fact, with assists on both Backstrom and Ovechkin's goals, Wilson tied a career high with the three-point night. His only other three-point game also came against Chicago.
Tom Wilson is the first player in Capitals franchise history to record consecutive 3-point games against the Blackhawks. #CapsHawks
If Wilson can stick on this line, the 23-year-old should easily surpass his career high of 23 points while providing Washington's top unit with a physical element.
Here's the full list of how fans have cast their votes so far:
Atlantic Division
1. Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning 2. Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning 3. Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs 4. Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators 5. Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Central Division
1. P.K. Subban, Nashville Predators 2. Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues 3. Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks 4. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche 5. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
Metropolitan Division
1. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals 2. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins 3. John Tavares, New York Islanders 4. Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins 5. Sergei Bobrovsky, Columbus Blue Jackets
Pacific Division
1. Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers 2. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames 3. James Neal, Vegas Golden Knights 4. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights 5. Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings
Fans have until 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 1, 2018 to make their selections. The All-Star Game, which will once again consist of a three-on-three tourney between the divisional squads, takes place Jan. 28 at Amalie Arena.
Year after year, the NHL produces some truly mind-boggling statistics.
It's one thing to know who leads the league in scoring or which goaltender has the lowest goals-against average. It's another altogether to know which team is giving up nearly half of its total goals in the third period, or which defenseman has given the puck away far more than any player in the league.
Here are nine of the most interesting stats so far (updated through Dec. 5):
0-for-3: Florida Panthers F Jonathan Huberdeau's shootout line
Huberdeau - as seen in this feature published last week - has worked on his scoring touch. But his shootout game still needs a little work; the electrifying Panthers winger has misfired on all three of his attempts so far this season. He and Anaheim Ducks forward Jakob Silfverberg are the only players to not score once on a minimum of three shootout attempts.
2-8-2: The Philadelphia Flyers' record when outshooting foes
So much for more shots equaling more offense. The Flyers have been incredibly unlucky so far this season, winning just two of 12 games in which they have outshot their opponents. That includes five such games during their recent 10-game losing skid; in two other games during that streak, they registered just one fewer shot than the opposition.
16.7: The Buffalo Sabres' win rate when leading after one period
Going into the first intermission with a lead usually bodes well for an NHL team; all but two teams have a winning percentage greater than 50 percent when ahead after 20 minutes. But not those Sabres, who buck the trend here with a dismal 1-3-2 mark when outscoring their opponent in the first. Of course, it could be worse; they're 1-11-0 when trailing after 20.
30.6: New Jersey Devils F Brian Gibbons' shooting percentage
On a sustainability scale of 1-10, with one being "probably unsustainable" and 10 being "guaranteed to keep happening," Gibbons' shooting rate comes in somewhere between -50 and -75. The undrafted 29-year-old remains one of the most heartwarming stories in the league this season, but don't expect him to fill the net as often as he has so far.
38: The Nashville Predators' third-period goals against
How's this for a strange stat? Despite coming into the day in a tie for second overall in total points - and ranking a healthy 11th league-wide in goals against - the Predators are even with the lowly Arizona Coyotes for the most third-period goals allowed in the league. In fact, those 38 goals represent 48.7 percent of all goals the Preds have allowed this season.
43: The Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-on-5 goal total
It has been a trying season for the two-time defending champs, who are struggling to produce offense. The Penguins finished second in the league in five-on-five goals a season ago (185) but sit tied with the Colorado Avalanche for 28th overall with just 43 five-on-five tallies through 29 games. As hard as it is to imagine, the Pens have one of the league's worst offenses this season.
61.38: Anaheim Ducks forward Antoine Vermette's faceoff win rate
Some forwards can carve out a nice career simply by being money on faceoffs - and in that regard, Vermette is one of the best in the business. The Ducks veteran is winning faceoffs at a league-leading rate, edging out Sabres forward Ryan O'Reilly (61.18 percent) for top spot. But Vermette is still below the 62.25-percent success rate he posted a season ago.
62: Giveaways by San Jose Sharks D Brent Burns
It's unfathomable to most Sharks fans to see Burns struggling this mightily. Not only is he stuck on one goal through his first 29 games, but he's also on pace to lead the league in giveaways for the second year in a row. And while the latter statistic won't surprise many - he had a whopping 153 turnovers a year ago - it stands out a lot more when he isn't producing on offense.
158: Washington Capitals D Brooks Orpik's total hits and blocked shots
Combining the two non-scoring statistics in which defensemen are expected to contribute the most - hits and blocked shots - is a great way to assess which blue-liners are most active on the back end. And none are more defense-oriented than Orpik, whose 158 combined hits and blocks are nine more than runner-up Luke Schenn of the Coyotes.
The potential players tasked with avenging last year's loss to the United States in the gold-medal game of the World Junior Hockey Championship were announced on Wednesday.
Canada unveiled the 32 members of the team's selection camp roster for the tournament, a list that includes seven returnees from last year's silver-medal-winning club.
Here is the full list:
Forwards
Player
Current Team
NHL Team (Draft Year)
Jonathan Ang
Peterborough Petes (OHL)
Panthers (2016)
Drake Batherson
Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
Senators (2017)
Maxime Comtois
Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)
Ducks (2017)
Dillon Dube
Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Flames (2016)
Alex Formenton
London Knights (OHL)
Senators (2017)
Jonah Gadjovich
Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Canucks (2017)
Cody Glass
Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Golden Knights (2017)
Brett Howden
Moosejaw Warriors (WHL)
Lightning (2016)
Tanner Kaspick
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Blues (2016)
Boris Katchouk
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Lightning (2016)
Jordan Kyrou
Sarnia Sting (OHL)
Blues (2016)
Kole Lind
Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Canucks (2016)
Michael McLeod
Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Devils (2016)
Taylor Raddysh
Erie Otters (OHL)
Lightning (2016)
Sam Steel
Regina Pats (WHL)
Ducks (2016)
Tyler Steenbergen
Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
Coyotes (2017)
Nick Suzuki
Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Golden Knights (2017)
Robert Thomas
London Knights (OHL)
Blues (2017)
Defense
Player
Current Team
NHL Team (Draft Year)
Jake Bean
Calgary Hitmen (WHL)
Hurricanes (2016)
Dennis Cholowski
Prince George Cougars (WHL)
Red Wings (2016)
Kale Clague
Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Kings (2016)
Dante Fabbro
Boston University (NCAA)
Predators (2016)
Mario Ferraro
Massachusetts (NCAA)
Sharks (2017)
Cal Foote
Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Lightning (2017)
Josh Mahura
Regina Pats (WHL)
Ducks (2016)
Cale Makar
Massachusetts (NCAA)
Avalanche (2017)
Logan Stanley
Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Jets (2016)
Conor Timmins
Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Avalanche (2017)
Goalies
Player
Current Team
NHL Team (Draft Year)
Carter Hart
Everett Silvertips (WHL)
Flyers (2016)
Michael DiPietro
Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Canucks (2017)
Samuel Harvey
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Undrafted
Colton Point
Colgate (NCAA)
Stars (2016)
Following the selection camp the above crop of players will be reduced 22 skaters.
TORONTO - On a frigid November afternoon, Auston Matthews has the hockey world hanging on his every word. He's returning to practice after missing the Toronto Maple Leafs' previous three games due to injury, and reporters have swarmed his locker.
Standing on the opposite side of the room is Zach Hyman, the oft-forgotten third member of a line with Matthews and William Nylander that's taken the NHL by storm to begin the season. Hyman, a Toronto native, is content to entertain a smaller cohort of journalists at his locker, who are, in reality, patiently waiting for the reigning Calder Trophy winner to speak.
Though the spotlight is often pointed elsewhere, Hyman might be the most intriguing player on a potentially dynastic Leafs team that's once again captured the imagination of its zealous fan base. An overlooked prospect whose father was so heavily invested in the city's minor-hockey ranks - and some argued his kids' success - Hockey Canada ultimately intervened, Hyman actually found his stride south of the border. Some consider him an atypical top-liner for a club with Stanley Cup aspirations, a fitting description when you consider his unusual journey.
__________
The odds of making it to the NHL are microscopic, and parents are often warned in advance not to get their hopes up once their sons pass a certain age. This is especially true in the hyper-competitive Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), which attracts players from all over the world.
Hyman played alongside NHLers Jeff Skinner, Tyler Toffoli, and Devante Smith-Pelly throughout his minor-hockey career, while competing against stars like Tyler Seguin. That's not lost on the Leafs winger, who marvels at the fact he's still facing his friends at the highest level.
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Though Hyman was often overshadowed in minor hockey, his name was well-known. Hyman's father, Stuart, reportedly took sole or partial ownership of more than 90 minor hockey organizations at one juncture before relinquishing his ownership stakes amid pressure from the GTHL and the country's governing hockey body. Hyman has said opponents used the owner's-son label as ammo for trash talk.
Stuart Hyman also purchased International Scouting Services three months before the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He said the deal wasn't related to his son's status as a fringe prospect, but Zach was largely dismissed by pro scouts.
"We think there were 210 other skaters that have a better chance of being an NHL player than Zach Hyman," the late E.J. McGuire, NHL Central Scouting Bureau director, said in 2010.
The Florida Panthers selected Hyman 123rd overall that spring. After decommitting from Princeton, Hyman went to Michigan in 2011, and played for legendary Wolverines head coach Red Berenson, the man whom he counts as the biggest influence on his career.
Berenson, who won two national titles with the program and retired in 2017, speaks fondly of Hyman, noting that it took a ton of effort and commitment for the player to refine his game.
"A lot of people thought hockey was easy for him, but he had to work hard to get the results he got and he really did, on the ice and off the ice," Berenson said.
Added Berenson, "It took him at least two-and-a-half years at Michigan to really start showing the kind of player that he was hoping to be when he got here."
In each of his first two seasons with the Wolverines, Hyman had nine points. As a junior, he posted 17. In his senior year, Hyman scored 22 goals and added 32 assists in 37 games - good enough for fourth in Division I scoring - and was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as U.S. college hockey's top player.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
That's not all he accomplished at Michigan. Hyman graduated with a 3.7 GPA and captured numerous academic awards for student-athletes, along with the school's athlete of the year honor.
"We have a lot of kids that go through school like Zach that were good players and maybe didn't have an NHL career," Berenson said. "We had a lot of kids that went on to be doctors, lawyers, and so on. I think Zach could've been either one."
As was the case at Michigan, Hyman's on-ice exploits don't tell the whole story about his work ethic - or his talents. Before the Leafs called him up to the NHL, he'd already emerged as a successful children's author, earning rave reviews for his first two works, "The Bambino and Me" and "Hockey Hero."
His next book is set for release in April.
"I think every player should have a passion or hobby outside the rink because you don't want your life being just hockey, hockey, hockey," Hyman said. "Have an outlet to express yourself in a different manner. For me, it's writing ... I was a history major in college, I did writing there. I write children's books because I really enjoy it and it's a passion of mine."
Hyman and the Panthers ultimately couldn't come to terms on a deal and in June 2015 Florida traded his rights to his hometown Maple Leafs, who signed him to a two-year, entry-level contract.
__________
If it were up to a large faction of Leafs fans, Hyman wouldn't have the opportunity to thrive alongside Nylander and Matthews. When Patrick Marleau joined the Leafs in July, many fans called for him to take Hyman's spot on the first line.
Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was aware of the criticism, but it didn't sway his opinion of Hyman's contributions to the unit.
"Hyman is a guy who gets the puck back all the time," Babcock said in September, according to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic. "... I've learned from good players - they like to have the puck. When you have three guys who want the puck - like (Pavel) Datsyuk used to tell me all the time, 'No, put him on somebody else's line. I want somebody to get me the puck.' He gets the puck back better than anyone."
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Hyman takes pride in his role, which he characterizes similarly, but credits his more heralded linemates.
"When you play with guys like Auston and Willie, who want the puck all the time and they're skilled guys, if you get them the puck, chances are your team will benefit from that," Hyman said. "That's kinda something that's important to me and is a big part of my game."
After collecting 28 points in 82 regular-season games and four more in six playoff contests in 2016-17, Hyman signed a four-year, $9-million extension in July, indicating that the defensive conscience of his high-octane line is part of the Leafs' plans as they pursue that elusive Stanley Cup.
He's been prepared for the bright lights of Toronto from an early age, and is unfazed by the added attention of playing on the top line for a contending club.
"Nothing really compares to Toronto, the hockey capital, with the amount of attention we get. It's good for us, it's good for the game," Hyman said. "People care about how you're doing. All the attention is really generated from the amount of passion fans have for the team and just want to know about the team, so, it's a good thing."
When asked if he's finally receiving due credit after being largely passed over, Hyman deferred to Matthews and Nylander again.
"Honestly, I don't even think about that stuff. I just try to go out there and play my game and help the team win. ... I play with Auston and Willie for the majority," Hyman said. "Those guys deserve a lot of attention and I'm happy to fly under the radar and just do my thing."
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
Matthews and Nylander were destined for stardom since they were teenagers; the former was championed as a byproduct of Gary Bettman's western expansion project, while the latter learned the inner workings of the league from his father, Michael, who notched 679 points in 920 career NHL games.
Hyman's route to the pros stands in stark contrast.
"Everybody has a different path and mine was a bit longer," Hyman said. "For me, it was really the right path because I needed time to develop as a player. Going to school, taking a year off, and doing all those things was the right path for me because I needed the time."
Berenson says he's closely followed Hyman's success with the Leafs and beamed about his maturation as a player.
"My lasting observation would be that Zach worked his way through all the adversity," Berenson said. "You can judge people by how they react to success, but you can really see their true character when they don't have success and how they handle it. And Zach Hyman was a true warrior in the way he worked his way through all the adversity, and then when he had success, everyone really appreciated how hard he worked to get there.
"I think you see that now. He has a great work ethic and he shows up every day, every practice, every game, and he's ready to work hard."
In hockey terms, Hyman's considered a late bloomer, but he's accumulated a lot of experience in his 25 years. Now, he personifies the Canadian dream as a Toronto born-and-raised kid playing on the Maple Leafs' first line. When it comes to accolades, he may be the odd man out compared to Matthews and Nylander, but make no mistake: Hyman's the most interesting member of the league's most dynamic young trio, and his story isn't over.
