ST. LOUIS – Jimmy Snuggerud will make his NHL debut for the St. Louis Blues (40-28-7) when put their nine-game winning streak on the line to open a three-game homestand against the Detroit Red Wings (34-33-6) at 7 p.m. (FDSNMW, ESPN 101.1-FM).
“Snuggerud’s going to play tonight, his first NHL game,” Blues coach Jim Montgomery said. “We’re excited to see how he’s going to help us.
“’Do what you do best and what got you here, and enjoy the moment.’ It’s a special moment and if you’re a highly-competitive player, make sure you really compete hard. If you’re a goal scorer, don’t pass up shots. If you’re a defensive player and you finish checks, finish five checks tonight. Do what you do best.”
The 20-year-old and No. 23 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, who signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday after his junior season at the University of Minnesota ended at the Fargo Regional on Thursday, skated with the Blues for the first time on Monday and skated on a line with Oskar Sundqvist and Zack Bolduc.
“Conversations, just getting to know him too,” Blues captain Brayden Schenn said regarding making Snuggerud feel comfortable. “I’ve never really met him before. I’ve met him once in Minnesota earlier this year and that’s it. Hear a lot about him, same agent and stuff [Ben Hankinson], I hear he’s a great kid, a guy that obviously is well-liked by his teammates. He’s going to be quiet initially. That’s the reality of coming into pro sports being a young guy. You just kind of talk to him and if he has any questions, you’re there to answer them.”
Snuggerud, who had 24 goals and 27 assists in 40 games with the Golden Gophers this season, also will get time on the power play in the bumper.
Snuggerud said he’s played bumper, “A little bit. I’ve played it growing up with the national team a little bit. I’ve been in some scenarios up there, but it really makes it easy playing bumper when you’re with four other really good players out there, so it was really fun.”
As for using him as a bumper to start and not for the one-time threat, Montgomery said, “I don’t know, it’s the first time he’s probably been in a bumper, to be honest, and beggars can’t be choosers with the way our power play’s been. But that being said, he did a really good job there. He supported pucks well, you can tell his brain (that) he understands time and space. He’s a scorer and a shooter and those guys know how to get open. They’ve been getting open their whole lives. You could see his puck support and release are ideal for the bumper position.”
He will become the third Golden Gopher to play in the NHL and make his debut after college teammates Oliver Moore and Sam Rinzel each made his debut with the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
“I’ve talked to Oliver Moore and ‘Rinzy’ [Sunday] night after their game and just see how it went for them,” Snuggerud said. “Obviously they both had a good game. I thought ‘Rinzy’ stood out a lot. He’s a strong player and he’s had that skating ability and ‘Mooresy’ made strong plays throughout the whole game.
“It’s nice to know you have your teammates going through that too. Matthew Wood is signed with Nashville now. It’s awesome to see them doing well and in their programs.”
Bolduc, who was in a similar position not too long ago as the No. 17 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, is looking forward to playing with Snuggerud.
“For sure I can help him,” Bolduc said. “I’ve been though it not a long time ago. It’s exciting. [Tonight’s] going to be his first NHL game. It’s a dream-come-true and just got to enjoy it. You’re kind of blacked out on those days and try to enjoy it as much as you can, just work on the ice. It’s all about trying to enjoy the first one.
“He’s a good skater and he’s smart. If I put myself in his shoes, probably a little stressed, but it’s part of it. It’s part of the experience of that first game, that excitement. He’s a good player and he can shoot it too. I’m looking forward to playing with him.
“He’s a good player. He’s smart, he’s working hard and he can shoot it. … We’ve got a great line and just looking forward to it [tonight].”
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Blues Projected Lineup:
Jake Neighbours-Robert Thomas-Pavel Buchnevich
Dylan Holloway-Brayden Schenn-Jordan Kyrou
Zack Bolduc-Oskar Sundqvist-Jimmy Snuggerud
Alexey Toropchenko-Radek Faksa-Nathan Walker
Cam Fowler-Nick Leddy
Philip Broberg-Justin Faulk
Ryan Suter-Tyler Tucker
Jordan Binnington will start in goal; Joel Hofer will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include Matthew Kessel, Dalibor Dvorsky, Alexandre Texier and Mathieu Joseph. Colton Parayko (knee) is out. Torey Krug (ankle) is out for the season.
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Red Wings Projected Lineup:
Alex DeBrincat-Dylan Larkin-Patrick Kane
Michael Rasmussen-Marco Kasper-Lucas Raymond
Jonatan Berggren-J.T. Compher-Vladimir Tarasenko
Craig Smith-Tyler Motte-Austin Watson
Ben Chiarot-Moritz Seider
Simon Edvinsson-Justin Holl
Albert Johansson-Jeff Petry
Cam Talbot will start in goal; Alex Lyon will be the backup.
Healthy scratches include William Lagesson and Dominik Shine. Andrew Copp (upper body), Elmer Soderblom (undisclosed), Erik Gustafsson (undisclosed) and Petr Mrazek (upper body) are out.
The Vegas Golden Knights have signed top prospect Trevor Connelly to a three-year, entry-level contract.
The 19-year-old completed his first and only season in the NCAA with the Providence Friars, scoring four goals and 13 points in 22 games.
He dealt with injury issues throughout the season, forcing him to miss a significant amount of games. Connelly and Providence earned a spot in the college playoffs but were eliminated in the first round by the University of Denver.
The 19th pick in the 2024 NHL Draft did not take home any hardware during his college career but earned a gold medal with Team USA's world junior team, scoring a goal and four points in seven games.
Connelly is listed at 6'1, but just 161 lbs, which means he still has a lot of muscle and weight to add to his frame. His goal heading into his freshman season was to do so, but the injury he sustained hampered that.
The Golden Knights have a bit of a log jam with NHL forwards which means Connelly will likely join the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. The Silver Knights have eight games remaining on their schedule which should provide Connelly the opportunity to gain his first bit of professional hockey experience.
Stay updated with the most interesting Golden Knights stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story.
The Vegas Golden Knights could clinch a playoff spot tonight if they can beat the Edmonton Oilers tonight.
Despite not playing on Monday, the Golden Knights could have clinched their seventh playoff berth in eight years. If the Calgary Flames lost in regulation to the Colorado Avalanche the Golden Knights would have earned a spot in the postseason, but a two-goal comeback in the third and a shootout win put a halt on those celebrations.
The Golden Knights now have the opportunity to control their fate and with a win over the Oilers, they'll bring themselves a step closer to locking up their desired regular season achievements.
If the Golden Knights lose in regulation and the Flames also lose in regulation to Utah HC, the Golden Knights will clinch a playoff spot.
The Oilers are attempting to hunt down the Golden Knights for the Pacific Division lead, but a six-game win streak by the Golden Knights has created some much-needed separation.
The Oilers remain without Connor McDavid but recently reinstated Leon Draisaitl back into their lineup. In his return on Saturday, Drasaitl recorded two goals and three points, picking up points on all three goals and scoring the overtime winner.
Slowing him down will be a difficult task but it's a matchup that Jack Eichel seems to relish in. His game elevates whenever he's matched up against another superstar and his history against the Oilers is quite good. In 19 games against the Oilers, the 28-year-old has scored eight goals and 21 points.
The Oilers are ravaged by injuries at the moment, currently without McDavid, Mattias Ekholm, Stuart Skinner, Trent Frederic and Evander Kane, but the Golden Knights too are dealing with several injuries. They'll be without Tomas Hertl, Ilya Samsonov and likely Alex Pietrangelo.
It's a vital game for the Golden Knights as they continue to gear up for the playoffs.
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Tomas Hertl Unavailable For The Golden Knights This WeekVegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl will be unavailable this week as he deals with an injury.
Golden Knights Recall Akira Schmid Amid Injury Concern For Ilya SamsonovThe Vegas Golden Knights have recalled goaltender Akira Schmid from the Henderson Silver Knights as they deal with a possible injury concern with Ilya Samsonov.
The Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Washington Capitals on Friday, April 4 with Alex Ovechkin hot on the heels of Wayne Gretzky's goal record.
While the Blackhawks only have one game before playing the Capitals, Washington plays twice ahead of hosting the Blackhawks. It seems like the likeliest time that the soon-to-be all-time goal scorer in the NHL is going to break Gretzky's record.
Ovechkin is just four goals away from tying the record as he sits at 890 goals. The Capitals play the Boston Bruins, who are on the verge of falling into last place in the Eastern Conference, and the Carolina Hurricanes. The Capitals' captain doesn't have to get four goals in the next two games to be able to break the record at home against the Blackhawks. Chicago isn't a good team and has allowed the third-most goals against this season.
Ovechkin just has to be within range, whether that means scoring 2-3 goals in his next two games and then lighting up the Blackhawks, it can be done. The team that it would be the most special against is the Pittsburgh Penguins though. The Capitals and Penguins face off in the last game of the season in Pittsburgh.
Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game day coverage, player features, and more.
As if the Washington Capitals aren't good enough, they're getting one of the top prospects outside of the NHL for the stretch run and the playoffs.
The No. 2 NHL prospect in The Hockey News' annual Future Watch edition signed an entry-level deal with the Capitals after his Boston College Eagles were eliminated from the NCAA playoffs Sunday night.
Leonard has the complete package - skill, size, competitiveness, toughness. He has the opportunity to make an immediate impact with a Stanley Cup contender.
Can he do what Cale Makar did in 2019? That might be a bit of stretch, considering he'll be eased into the Capitals' lineup on the bottom six, but don't be surprised if he proves very quickly that he can make a tangible contribution.
Today's video column has more.
Capitals' Leonard, Rangers' Perreault Lead The Most Promising NCAA Talents Signing NHL DealsThe flood of NCAA players signing their entry-level NHL contracts has begun.
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