Auston Matthews‘ statline on Saturday lastly resembled that of a stud: 1 G, 2 A, +2, 9 SOG. When Dobber requested on X which participant would you by no means draft once more, I seen a number of Matthews responses. It is just one sport, however maybe a number of days of relaxation in a condensed schedule went a good distance. (I will focus on relaxation and the way I feel it is necessary later.) Should you’re a Leafs fan, you most likely watch Matthews greater than I do, however I ponder if he has been battling a nagging damage or two.
Matthews’ 5-on-5 taking pictures proportion has additionally been on a gradual decline since 2020-21, which is value noting. Not having a playmaker with the ability degree of Mitch Marner must be affecting #34’s objective output. If I needed to cough up subsequent yr’s draft rankings in the present day, I would have Matthews as a protected second-round decide as a substitute of a primary. Within the meantime, he is value a buy-low. With 15 objectives, Matthews has been outgoaled by the likes of Kiefer Sherwood, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Tom Wilson, amongst others. I feel that modifications within the second half.
Matthews wasn’t the one Leaf to get off the schneid within the 7-5 win over Ottawa. Matthew Knies entered Saturday’s sport with no objectives in 9 video games, however he scored twice whereas including an help and 6 pictures. Knies was off new assistant coach Steve Sullivan’s prime energy play (changed by Matias Maccelli), however considered one of his objectives was on the ability play anyway. Sullivan’s energy play scored two objectives in three makes an attempt, so it could keep that approach for the following sport. Except…
… William Nylander misses time, as Nylander left Saturday’s sport with a lower-body damage. The Leafs play once more in the present day (Sunday) towards Detroit, which does not give Nylander a lot time to heal. Our Sunday Damage Ward article might have extra particulars in regards to the damage. After the sport, coach Craig Berube stated that Nylander will go on the journey to Detroit, which leaves the door open for him taking part in.
A wholesome scratch only one week in the past, Max Domi has 5 factors over his final two video games. Domi registered three assists on Saturday. Possibly the sport off had its supposed impact.
–
After putting Ilya Sorokin on IR earlier within the day, the Islanders handed Saturday’s begin towards the rival Rangers to David Rittich. He didn’t disappoint, stopping all 27 pictures to choose up a shutout 2-0 win. Rittich now has three consecutive high quality begins. Though he will not seemingly begin in the present day’s (Sunday’s) sport towards Columbus, Rittich is a worthwhile short-term add whereas Sorokin is out of the lineup. His 71.4 QS% is within the prime 5 within the league amongst goalies with at the very least 10 video games performed, so he would possibly even push Sorokin for begins as soon as the Islanders starter returns.
The Islanders acquired excellent news with the return of Bo Horvat to the lineup. Horvat didn’t register a degree, though he took 4 pictures in 22 minutes of icetime.
With a objective on Saturday, Anders Lee prolonged his level streak to 5 video games. I featured each Rittich and Lee as potential provides this weekend in yesterday’s Ramblings.
–
Break up the Buffalo Sabres, who now have eight consecutive wins! Mattias Samuelsson led the best way within the 4-1 win over Boston with a objective and two assists.
Peyton Krebs contributed a objective and an help, giving him 4 factors over his final 4 video games. One of many gamers acquired within the Jack Eichel commerce, Krebs has been benefitting from taking part in on a line with Tage Thompson just lately. Krebs has by no means reached 30 factors in a season, and his present sizzling streak places him on tempo for… 29 factors.
The Sabres gained this sport regardless of being with out Rasmus Dahlin, who was nonetheless on his approach again from Sweden. He was spending time together with his fiancée, who’s recovering from a medical difficulty.
–
Within the Lightning’s 4-2 win over Florida, Nikita Kucherov scored two objectives. Kucherov now has 5 factors over his final three video games.
That wasn’t the story of the sport, although. As was considerably anticipated, the heated cross-state rivals mixed for 136 penalty minutes. Scott Sabourin, who might have been recalled particularly for this sport, racked up 26 PIM. The 6-9, 242 lb. (double-checked, not a typo) Curtis Douglas accrued 17 PIM. Sam Bennett, a participant extra prone to be rostered in fantasy leagues, had 10 PIM. Hopefully you wager the over on the penalty minutes. The depth degree on a playoff sequence involving these two groups can be one thing.
Earlier than the sport, the Lightning signed J.J. Moser to an eight-year extension value $6.75 million per season. For extra on Moser, see yesterday’s Ramblings.
–
In Washington’s 4-3 extra time win over New Jersey, Alex Ovechkin scored one of many Capitals’ objectives. With the objective, Ovechkin snapped a nine-game objective drought. In scoring over 900 objectives in his profession, Ovechkin has had only a few, if any, slumps that lengthy.
Aliaksei Protas scored one of many Capitals’ different objectives whereas additionally including two assists. Protas now has objectives in 4 of his final 5 video games and 7 factors over that span.
–
Shayne Gostisbehere and Andrei Svechnikov every scored a objective whereas including two assists within the Hurricanes’ 5-2 win over Detroit. Each are sizzling proper now: Gostisbehere has 5 factors over his final 4 video games, whereas Svechnikov has 9 factors over his final 5 video games. Svechnikov additionally has objectives in three consecutive video games.
In his first NHL season, Brandon Bussi continues to make a powerful assertion to be the Canes’ starter. Bussi recorded his fifth consecutive high quality begin, permitting not more than three objectives in any of the 5 video games. Bussi has wins in 12 of 14 video games this season, so he is a straightforward alternative for those who want that W. His final regulation loss was on October 25.
–
It is a lethal trio to face in extra time. Kirill Kaprizov completed the sport with a objective and two assists, whereas Matt Boldy had two objectives and Quinn Hughes registered three assists. Since being traded to the Wild, Hughes has seven factors in seven video games.
–
Regardless that neither Jordan Kyrou and Jimmy Snuggerud registered a degree of their returns to the lineup, the Blues had been capable of skate to a 3-2 win over Nashville. Pavel Buchnevich scored two of St. Louis’s objectives. After a sluggish begin to the season with simply seven factors in his first 21 video games, Buchnevich has been returning to type just lately with 14 factors in his final 18 video games. Buchnevich additionally snapped a streak of eight video games and not using a objective.
–
Tyler Bertuzzi scored twice within the Blackhawks’ 4-3 shootout win over Dallas. Bertuzzi snapped a six-game level drought with the objectives, seemingly affected by each Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar being out of the lineup. He’ll need to make do with Jason Dickinson as his middle in the meanwhile.
Mikko Rantanen and Wyatt Johnston every recorded three factors within the loss. Rantanen additionally took eight pictures on objective. Rantanen most likely will not bear in mind this sport for optimistic causes, although.
–
Within the Kings’ convincing 6-1 over the Geese, Alex Laferriere recorded his first profession hat trick on 5 pictures on objective and a plus-4. Laferriere has been itching to attain just lately, firing 14 pictures on web over his previous two video games.
Anze Kopitar assisted on all three of Laferriere’s objectives.
–
Within the Sharks’ 6-3 win in Vancouver, Macklin Celebrini, Igor Chernyshov, and William Eklund every had a objective and an help. Celebrini took eight pictures on this sport whereas extending his level streak to seven video games (14 factors over that span).
Chernyshov, a 2024 early second-round decide with measurement (6-2, 195 lbs.), is becoming in splendidly on the Celebrini/Eklund line. Since his callup in mid-December, Chernyshov has 5 factors in 5 video games. He’s rostered in just one% of Yahoo leagues, so he’s value contemplating in at the very least deep leagues whereas he’s receiving deployment with Celebrini. Needless to say he could also be despatched again to the AHL as soon as Will Smith returns from damage, so he might want to proceed to provide to remain on the NHL degree.
Collin Graf‘s empty netter prolonged his objective streak to 4 video games and his level streak to 6 video games.
Elias Pettersson (the costly model) returned to the Canucks’ lineup on Saturday. He was held and not using a level and was a minus-3 within the sport.
With a objective on Saturday, Linus Karlsson has 5 factors over his final 5 video games.
Marco Rossi scored his first objective as a Canuck. He has simply two factors in six video games since becoming a member of the Canucks.
–
In Colorado’s 6-5 shootout win over Vegas, Martin Necas scored two objectives, whereas Nathan MacKinnon scored a objective and added two assists. MacKinnon additionally scored the shootout winner. This was most likely fairly a sport to observe.
Sam Malinski registered three major assists for the Avs (together with 10 shot makes an attempt), giving him 21 factors in 37 video games. That is a 47-point tempo, which isn’t dangerous in any respect for a defenseman. On another crew besides the league-leading Avalanche, he can be receiving at the very least a morsel of power-play time. But he’s nearly fully thriving at even energy, as solely considered one of his 21 factors occurs to be on the person benefit. Does the shortage of power-play time imply that you must ignore him? I would say no as a result of the Avalanche have the highest offense within the league, averaging almost 4 objectives per sport. Malinski is rostered in simply 14% of Yahoo leagues and fewer than half of Fantrax leagues.
–
With a objective on Saturday, Connor McDavid has prolonged his level streak to 12 video games. He has piled up an insane 32 factors over that span! McDavid can be taking pictures the puck much more, averaging 5 pictures per sport over the 12-game level streak. McDavid has additionally taken prime spot within the Artwork Ross race over MacKinnon.
–
My World Junior protection yesterday was well-received, so I will go away some house for it once more right here. Michael Hage was the extra time hero, scoring a power-play objective within the first minute of extra time to offer Canada a 2-1 win over Latvia.
Canada might not be as dominant because it has been in years previous, however its two video games on this yr’s event haven’t suffered from lack of leisure. With Canada clinging to a 1-0 lead late within the sport, Latvia tied the sport with just below two minutes to play. But even later in regulation, Latvia took a puck over glass penalty that carried over to extra time. Canada made no mistake on the following energy play.
I do not know what it’s about Latvia that offers Canada suits. Recall final season, when Latvia took down Canada in extra time. The Latvian aspect appears unfazed about being on the massive stage as an underdog, taking part in a easy sport that smooths the curler coaster experience {that a} typical World Junior sport might be. I will stand behind my touch upon X that Canada was extra drained after taking part in yesterday whereas Latvia was idle (children get drained identical to anybody else), though there are numerous different causes that Canada couldn’t simply put Latvia away simply on this sport. Props to Latvia, which is a small nation however one that’s turning into mightier within the sport of hockey.
Within the US/Switzerland sport, Cole Hutson was stretchered off the ice after taking a puck to the pinnacle. Happily, it appears like Hutson shall be okay, as he was rapidly launched from the hospital. It isn’t identified what his standing shall be for the remainder of the event. It is attainable that he’s in concussion protocol. Let’s simply hope he’s okay.
Regardless of dropping Hutson, the People had been capable of skate away with a 2-1 win over Switzerland. Curiously sufficient, neither crew was capable of get to twenty pictures on this sport, with the US holding the sting 18-13 in that class. Sure, the People might have been a bit extra drained than their opponent, having performed the day earlier than whereas Switzerland was not.
In different WJC video games, Slovakia defeated Germany 4-1, whereas the Czechs took down Denmark 7-2.
–
Comply with me on X @Ian_Gooding and Bluesky @goodsfantasyhockey.bsky.social
