Comfortable Wednesday, Razzball devoted!
With simply 7 video games on faucet, it was a shorter schedule than normal for our remaining Tuesday night time earlier than the Olympic break.
However that didn’t cease a sure Carolina Hurricanes goalie from saying “neato,” checking his libido, and heading to the rink in a brand new tuxedo.
Brandon Bussi – 22 saves on 25 pictures and the 4-3 win vs OTT – did his finest 1989 pop-rap impression and Busted a critical Transfer at dwelling in opposition to the Ottawa Senators.
Hopefully, you listened to Viz and me after we mentioned so as to add Bussi anyplace and in every single place you could possibly, when it appeared like he was enjoying himself into additional time within the Canes’ crease.
After all, success is at all times simpler to seek out when a little bit of luck is concerned, so the season-ending damage to Pyotr Kochetkov was an ideal instance of skill assembly alternative. And Bussi has flashed his finest “Simply Stand (on his head) There” impression in true Younger MC type.
A 21-3-1 line heading into Tuesday night time’s begin is spectacular sufficient. However, predictably, the ratios replicate Bussi’s superior abilities simply as a lot as his win/loss report does.
The two.12 GAA is sweet for second within the league (behind Andrei Vasilevskiy). The save share is simply as spectacular (.906), even when it doesn’t rank as extremely as his targets in opposition to (nineteenth total).
EDIT: Bussi was on fireplace to start out this sport, and after Carolina jumped out to a 3-1 lead midway by the 2nd, it appeared like it might be a simple night time. Ottawa pushed again exhausting, however a couple of ridiculous pad-stack saves within the remaining seconds of the third interval gave Bussi the hard-earned victory.
I’ve a sense this isn’t the final time we hear, “For me, Brandon Bussi was the distinction maker,” or the final time he’s the primary star of the sport.
What’s the underside line? In the event you’re in a keeper league and your staff is falling out of competition, you could possibly do so much worse than flipping a few ageing items for a younger and uber-talented netminder in Brandon Bussi. I’m kicking myself for not rolling the cube on the 27-year-old beast from Sound Seashore, NY, in that dynasty startup league this yr.
Certain, Bussi was bussin’ final night time. However have been there some other highlights to peek in on from the opposite video games final night time?
Right here’s what else I noticed in Tuesday night time’s NHL motion…
Sebastian Aho – 1 G (20), 2 A (37), +2, 2 SOG, 1 PPA, 2 H, 6-for-14 FOW, 16:50 TOI. This could’ve been a sneaky 3-point problem winner, and Aho has a modest three-game objective streak going.
Seth Jarvis – 2 G (25), +2, 4 SOG, 1 PPG, 1 H, and a ‘fairly near elite’ 16.3 taking pictures share. He’s one other title on the lengthy listing of North American Olympic snubs.
James Reimer – 14 saves on 18 pictures and the 4-3 loss at CAR. How about this for a handful of ‘Memberberries? In 6 begins this yr, Reimer has allowed 4 targets 4 occasions. Woof.
Jake Sanderson – 1 G (11), 2 A (35), -3, 1 SOG, 2 PPP, and a Prime 10 defenceman scoring season (thus far).
Tim Stutzle – 1 G (27), -3, 3 SOG, 1 BLK. It’s a 4-game goal-scoring streak for Stutzle and seven G in his final 10 GP.
Dylan Cozens – 2 A (25), 1 SOG, 2 PPA, 3 H. Does anybody suppose this man misses enjoying in Buffalo? Really, does anybody ever miss enjoying in Buffalo? (JK!)
Clay Stevenson – 18 saves on 21 pictures within the 4-2 loss at PHI. Again-to-back begins for Stevenson and his first loss in 3 GS for the reason that recall. Logan Thompson is getting some relaxation (upper-body damage) earlier than the journey to Italy.
Anthony Beauvillier – 1 G (12), 1 A (8), +1, 2 SOG, 1 SHA, 1 H, and 17:51 TOI.
Dan Vladar – 26 saves on 28 pictures and the 4-2 win vs WSH. It was the darkish lord’s first win in 7 begins. Heard between durations after a little bit of stress from the Capitals: “I’m altering the deal, pray I don’t alter it any additional”.
Rasmus Ristolainen – 1 G (1), 1 A (5), +2, 2 SOG, 20:41 TOI. Wait. WHO?!
Sure, he’s nonetheless enjoying.
Travis Konecny – 2 A (32), +1, 1 PPA, 1 BLK, 19:39 TOI. This man must be within the Prime 5 of most underrated forwards within the league. 54 factors in 54 video games and a reasonably ridiculous 15 factors in his final 9 GP.
Elvis Merzlikins – 24 saves on 24 pictures at NJ. That’s a SHUTOUT! It’s becoming that Elvis leaves Columbus feeling Blue. Apparently, the King of Rock n Roll recorded 20 songs with “Blue” within the title. Huh. The extra you already know.
Mathieu Olivier – 2 G (8), +2, 1 SOG, 3 H. Olivier has 6 factors in his final 3 video games.
Jacob Markstrom – 23 saves on 25 pictures and the loss vs CLM. It’s in all probability not a superb signal that my instant response to seeing Markstrom was getting the beginning for NJ was one thing like this…
In his protection, Markstrom wasn’t dangerous in any respect. He simply received outplayed by a highly regarded “Blue Hawaii”an.
Stuart Skinner – 18 saves on 23 pictures and the 5-4 OTL at NYI. This one ended a 5-game win streak for Skinner.
Justin Brazeau – 1 G (15), 1 A (12), +2, 6 SOG, 1 H, 2 BLK, and 12:59 TOI. I’m nonetheless a bit bitter that the Bruins let this man get away. Type of just like the Bussi fumble. Oh nicely.
Erik Karlsson – 1 A (31), +2, 2 PIM, 3 SOG, 1 H. It wasn’t an enormous sport from Karlsson, however it was a pleasant stat filler for these of us in leagues with a number of classes.
Ilya Sorokin – 31 saves on 35 pictures and the 5-4 OTW. For some cause, he hasn’t felt just like the dominant goaltender he’s been in previous years. Perhaps it’s simply the dearth of highlight on the Islanders. Sorokin remains to be a top-tier choice, although. He’s among the many finest in GAA, SV%, and leads the league with 6 shutouts (!).
Bo Horvat – 2 G (23), 1 A (15), +5 (!), 3 SOG, 2 H, 2 BLK, and 24:35 TOI. The 16.7 taking pictures share continues to be stable, and the ice time is in keeping with the Isles “go-to” guys (extra beneath).
Mathew Barzal – 1 G (16), 2 A (34), +4, 4 SOG, 24:16 TOI. Yep. These two forwards preserve this staff’s offense chugging alongside. All they wanted was a stable defenseman so as to add to the deadly mixture…
Matthew Schaefer – 1 G (16), 1 A (23), +1, 2 SOG, 3 BLK, 27:59 TOI. It’s at all times good to see Schaefer produce on a Tuesday night time. I’d write him up both method, however at the very least a two-point night time justified the write-up. 28 minutes in an NHL sport simply 4 months after his 18th birthday? Jeez. 4 months after my 18th birthday, I used to be making an attempt to outlive the nastiest winter in 30 years in North Bay and making an attempt to outlive College earlier than Springtime hit. It’s secure to say that this child is the actual deal.
Colten Ellis – 31 saves on 35 pictures within the OTL at TB. All that hullabaloo about which of Buffalo’s goalies could be in line for the Lyon’s share of begins, and Lindy Ruff takes a tough left. The information that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s damage is critical sufficient for the massive Finn to overlook the Olympics coincided with one other Ellis begin, this time at Tampa. He got here into final night time’s sport with 3 wins in his final 4 video games and, regardless of shedding on Tuesday night time, ought to be a helpful backup to Alex Lyon for the foreseeable future.
Mattias Samuelsson – 2 G (11), +1, 3 SOG, 2 H, 24:01 TOI. Two losses of their final three video games isn’t splendid for the Sabres, however that 19-3-1 run they went on offers them greater than sufficient of a cushion to trip into the Olympic break on a excessive notice.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 23 saves on 26 pictures within the 4-3 OTW vs BUF. Yet one more W, one prolonged win streak, and one sport with out kicking one other goalie’s head in. WHAT?! Oh, should you haven’t seen the clip, let’s have a peek at this one.
The big elephant within the area is how the Bruins blew a 5-1 result in lose 6-5 within the shootout, however this little dust-up made the consequence a bit simpler to swallow after the Bruins’ implosion.
As for the Lightning and Vasilevskiy, this staff is without doubt one of the largest beasts within the East for a cause.
Nikita Kucherov – 1 G (29), 3 A (60), +1, 7 SOG, 1 PPA, 1 BLK, 22:24. It feels foolish to say this man is underrated, however should you caught any of that Stadium Collection sport, you’d’ve heard the commentators point out it at the very least a couple of occasions. Kucherov places up the factors, however the quiet dominance that he reveals in every sport is spectacular. He took over the second half of Sunday’s sport and was again at it on this one. He has 23 factors in his final 9 video games. Wow.
Jake Guentzel – 1 G (25), 1 A (34), +1, 1 SOG, 1 H, 26:07 TOI. His level totals aren’t as eye-popping as Kucherov’s, however 59 factors in 54 video games is nothing to show your nostril up at.
Darren Raddysh – 1 G (17), 1 A (34), -1, 3 SOG, 2 H, 2 BLK, 25:48 TOI. I don’t understand how anybody might argue that this man is the breakout defenseman of the yr, however it might be enjoyable to listen to somebody attempt to argue it.
Anthony Stolarz – This man’s stat line was stable, however it was a few zeroes on the scoresheet that made it even higher for him (extra beneath).
Matias Maccelli – 2 G (10), +1, 4 SOG, 1 PPG, 2 BLK. Wait. Wasn’t this Tony Danza’s character from “Who’s The Boss?” (sure, I’m kidding).
Matthew Knies – 1 G, 1 A, That’s 14 targets for Knies, who lastly ties Fraser Minten in tallies.
Connor Ingram – 22 saves on 26 pictures and the 5-2 loss to TOR.
Kasperi Kapanen – 1 G (4), +1, 3 SOG, 4 H, 15:03 TOI. This man is sort of a small pint of memberberries. He’s not practically sufficiently old to retire, however he additionally seems like he’s been M.I.A. for years. It’s good to see him rating one in opposition to the outdated staff.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl – Talking of zeroes…An Anthony Stolarz victory is sweet sufficient for Leaf followers to get pleasure from, however when it comes with shutting out two of the perfect forwards within the league? That’s the additional chocolate sauce and sprinkles on high. This pair mixed for over 42 minutes of ice time, 4 pictures on objective apiece, and one blocked shot (every). No factors to indicate for it, although.
Philipp Grubauer – 20 saves on 22 pictures by 2 durations. That is headed to the second intermission (at time of writing), and it’s wanting like a goalie struggle. Grubauer is on tempo to face 30-35 pictures at this level.
Lukas Dostal – 17 saves on 17 pictures after 2 durations. As I mentioned above with Grubauer, this one is shaping as much as be a little bit of a goalie battle. Dostal was excellent after two (on the time of writing).
Cutter Gauthier – 1 G (25), +1, 1 SOG, 12:47 TOI after two durations. I got here thisclose to taking Gauthier within the 3-point problem earlier than I talked myself out of it and went with Jordan Eberle as an alternative. For what it’s value, it’s wanting like nobody on both facet is notching 3 factors on this one.
That’s all for this week! I hope you loved it. In case you have any questions or feedback, go away them beneath, and I’ll get again to you ASAP.
ALSO, with the NHL schedule freezing up for 2 weeks, I virtually took a little bit of a break to give attention to baseball…however I’ll be BACK for the subsequent two weeks to put in writing up a commerce deadline piece for the Japanese and Western Conferences!
Comfortable Wednesday, and I’ll see you subsequent week!
Comply with me @marmosdad on Twitter/X and Bluesky @marmosdad.bsky.social
