Regardless of seeing practically a month of video games in our NHL schedule, it was a season debut final night time that spoiled the Rangers’ modest 3-game profitable streak. Pyotr Kochetkov was recalled from the AHL (Chicago) for his first sport of the yr on Tuesday night, after getting the inexperienced mild to return from a lower-body damage. The 4th yr backstop made 25 saves on 25 pictures and held off the Rangers’ offense for a 3-0 win at NYR. After profitable 27 video games final yr, Kochetkov regarded like he hadn’t missed a beat, and is price a right away pickup if an impatient supervisor wanted some roster area and reduce him unfastened in a shallow league. Examine the FA listing as quickly as attainable, or float out a commerce provide earlier than the 26-year-old goes on a run.
Right here’s what else I noticed in Tuesday night time’s NHL motion…
*Notes are as of 11:30 PM EST Tuesday night time*
Sean Walker – 1 G (2), 1 A (1), +1, 3 SOG, and 24:16 of ice time. Sean Walker isn’t precisely a family identify amongst poolies with points-only classes, however he’s logging some severe minutes on the again finish of a really robust squad as he fills in for an injured Jaccob Slavin. He may not “Wow” anybody with flashy level totals, however if you happen to’re in search of quantity on the again finish in a 12-team league, this might be a worthwhile pickup for the brief time period.
Igor Shesterkin – 29 saves on 31 pictures and the loss vs CAR. Exterior of a 5-hit sport from heart Sam Carrick, there wasn’t a lot to search for from the New York Rangers’ stats web page.
Jeremy Swayman – 28 saves on 31 pictures and the win (5) at NYI. The one went forwards and backwards all night time and ended up tied after OT. Swayman stopped Simon, Holmstrom, Bo Horvat, and Jonathan Drouin within the shootout for his fifth win in 9 begins.
Pavel Zacha – G (3), 3 SOG, +1, PPG (1), 3 H. The commerce winds are already swirling across the league, and each time the followers are “Booin’ the Bruins”, Zacha’s identify appears to search out the rumor mill the subsequent day. Boston followers don’t wish to hear this, however groups in the hunt for a bona fide second-line heart may do rather a lot worse than a man who’s averaging over 18 minutes a sport and already has 13 factors in 15 video games.
Ilya Sorokin – 24 saves on 27 pictures and the loss (4). Sorokin has an an identical GAA to Swayman’s 2.77, however got here up on the brief finish within the win column when Marat Khusnutdinov beat him within the shootout after scoring to push the sport to OT with a late tally within the third.
Matthew Schaefer – 1 A (6), +1, 2 PIM, 4 SOG, 1 H. It wasn’t a flashy night time on the scoresheet for the 1.01 from this yr’s NHL Entry draft, however the child definitely flashed sufficient on the ice to indicate what the thrill has been all about. When you haven’t watched this one play but, do your self a favor and tune into the subsequent NYI sport. When you’re questioning how he has 11 factors in 13 GP as an 18-year-old rookie, you received’t surprise for lengthy. He’s a magnificence.
Bo Horvat – 2 G (9), 5 SOG, +1, 2 H. Horvat’s two-goal night time launched him right into a tie for second finest within the league behind MacKinnon, Hughes, and Caufield. Jeremy Swayman managed to cease him when it mattered most, although, as Horvat missed his try within the shootout.
Daniel Vladar – 16 saves on 20 pictures and the win (5) at MTL. Darth Vladar and the Flyers obtained out to an early 3-0 lead and regarded like they had been able to blow out the Habs earlier than giving up 4 unanswered within the second interval. Vladar can thank Nikita Grebenkin for pushing issues into time beyond regulation with a late Third-period tally.
Bobby Brink – 2 G (5), 2 PIM, 3 SOG, 15:25 TOI. I nearly backed up the Brinks truck for our lede as we speak earlier than seeing Kochetkov’s shutout. 9 PTS in 13 GP for a backside 6 RW is fairly strong if you happen to’re in search of somebody to fill out a deep league bench.
Sam Montembeault – 38 saves on 42 pictures and a 5-4 shootout loss at residence to PHI. The Flyers jumped on the red-hot Habs and scored three within the first interval final night time and had been effectively on their solution to handing Montreal its 4th loss in 12 video games…till the Habs wakened and scored 4 unanswered objectives within the second interval. Montembault was a busy man final night time, however regardless of the late comeback, his night time was spoiled by a Trevor Zegras shootout winner.
Ivan Demidov – G (4), A (8), 2 PIM, 3 SOG, 2 PPP, and 15:21 TOI. The child affectionately often called “The Demi-God” in Montreal resides as much as the early-season hype. He’s obtained 12 factors in 13 video games and hasn’t gone back-to-back video games with out recording at the least one level. Keeper league gold right here, people.
Karel Vejemelka – 17 saves on 18 pictures and a 2-1 OT win at BUF. Utah, sitting in second place within the Central after 13 video games, is probably going a bit shocking to some people, however the reality is that this crew is strong. There are various pundits who suppose, with the best trades, the Mammoth could make numerous noise within the West this yr so long as they beef up the lineup with some veterans to assist the gifted youngsters that lead the cost.
Clayton Keller – 1 G (5), 1 A (9), +2, 6 SOG, 20:07 TOI. At 27 years outdated, Keller may not qualify as one in every of Utah’s “youngsters”, however that doesn’t imply he isn’t a Mammoth a part of the crew’s offense. Sorry. That one was too simple.
Alex Lyon – 33 saves on 35 pictures and the loss (in OT) to UTA. What would you like him to do, rating a few objectives too?
Justus Annunen – 22 saves on 25 pictures and the OT loss at MIN. And Justus for all? Perhaps not. And no wins for him but, both (0-2).
Steven Stamkos – 1 G (2), +1, 2 PIM, 2 SOG, 1 H, 1 BLK, 15:42 TOI. I keep in mind watching this man when he performed with the Sarnia Sting. As a 16-year-old. And now he’s 35. With 2 objectives in 15 video games performed. And I’m outdated.
Filip Gustavsson – 32 saves on 34 pictures and the OT win (4). 1.90 GAA, .941 SV%
Kirill Kaprizov – 1 G (8), 1 A (10), 2 PIM, 4 SOG, 25:14 TOI. There have been just a few people who raised their eyebrows when Kirill scored the massive extension with the Wild this summer season. With 18 factors in 13 video games to start out the season, he’s proving these doubters incorrect.
Zeev Buium – 1 G (3), PPG, -1, 1 SOG, 13:02 TOI. Buium isn’t blowing any doorways off of fantasy leagues, however he’s profiting from the restricted power-play time he’s been getting. He may not be a 50-point defenseman this yr, however I’m nonetheless shopping for in as a progress inventory in dynasty leagues. Steer clear in case your league tracks plus/minus, although. He’s a -11.
Andrei Vasilevskiy – 21 saves on 24 pictures (by two durations). Okay, Grandpa, however why did it’s important to change the spelling of your final identify? Ugh.
Nikita Kucherov – G (5), 2 SOG (by 2nd interval). That’s 11 factors in 11 GP and counting for the celebrity winger.
Scott Wedgewood – 15 saves on 16 pictures (finish of 2nd). I’m fairly positive it’s simply me who sees “S. Wedgewood” and instantly hears, “Larger Love” enjoying in his head. Steve Winwood would in all probability be proud that his largest hit nonetheless performs, however Scott Wedgewood? Not a lot. That mentioned, he was on his solution to locking down his eighth win in 12 begins and is a transparent ‘must-start’ in any league.
Victor Olofsson – 2 G (5), +1, 2 PIM, 2 SOG, 1 BLK. For all of the highlight that I shone on JJ Peterka within the preseason write-up right here, Olofsson is doing his finest to remind Buffalo followers that he was a purpose scorer as soon as upon a time, too. 15 G in 56 GP with Vegas final yr isn’t precisely an earth-shattering quantity, however driving the PP1 unit with a celebrity forged ought to assist him hit some profession highs in objectives this yr.
John Gibson – 22 saves on 23 pictures by the primary half in opposition to VGS. Sitting at 4-3 with a 3.32 GAA and .882 SV% isn’t precisely classic John Gibson numbers, however he was off to a scorching begin in opposition to a really potent offense final night time.
Lucas Raymond – 2 SOG, together with Dylan Larkin and Elmer Soderblom (2 SOG every).
Akira Schmid – 14 saves on 14 pictures (By 2 durations). He’s 5-1 in 7 begins and was holding the Pink Wings off the board midway by final night time’s sport. Be forewarned. The “Waka Waka” and “Hips Don’t Lie” references are incoming. Quickly.
Sergei Bobrovsky – 14 saves on 18 pictures (By 2 durations). A 4.62 GAA and a .800 SV%? You’re off the case, Bobrovsky!
Lukas Dostal – 15 saves on 18 pictures (By 2 durations). A 4.62 GAA and…wait! Did I simply copy and paste this? Nope. Dostal’s SV% is a significantly better…833. Oof.
Cutter Gauthier – 2 G (9), -1, 2 SOG, 7:35 TOI. Two objectives in lower than 2 durations? With one on the facility play? Gauthier may have been a steal on some drafts (he was undrafted in my shallow, 10-team, head-to-head league), and at present sits in a tie for second most objectives within the league. EDIT: He scored a THIRD earlier than the tip of the second interval!
Connor Hellebuyck – 6 saves on 7 pictures heading into the 2nd. And there’s that gee-dee six-seven once more.
Adrian Kempe – G (6), +1, 1 SOG. 16 factors in 14 video games for Kempe, and a wholesome 33 hits in case your league tracks that, too.
Darcy Kuemper – 9 saves on 9 pictures vs WPG at residence. He’d received simply as soon as in his final 4 GP heading into final night time. Up to now, so good with one interval down and two to go (on the time of writing).
That’s all for this week, people. I hope the recap helped fill you in on the happenings from final night time’s earlier video games. I’m hoping to have the ability to provide the full rundown for future weeks after work, teaching two youngsters’ groups, and the overall chaos of life settles down a bit. Be at liberty to drop questions or feedback within the chat right here, and I’ll get again to you as quickly as I can!
Completely happy Wednesday, and I’ll see you subsequent week!
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