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Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/12/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Mar 12, 2022, 08:41 ESTUpdated: Mar 12, 2022, 09:07 EST
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/12/22

The Daily Faceoff Morning Report will be released on weekdays, recapping the key news and events from the day before.

We will highlight injuries that will affect today’s games, hot streaks, cold streaks, and anything relevant for everyone from the casual hockey fan to the Fantasy Hockey grinder.

Canucks comeback cut short

The Vancouver Canucks erased a 2-0 deficit by scoring three goals in under five minutes to open the third period but couldn’t hold on to their 3-2 lead as Evgeny Kuznetsov (C) completed a hat-trick to tie the game in the final minutes of the third period. It was one of the stranger hat-tricks you’ll ever see. The first goal awkwardly went in off of his head and the second was celebrated as if it were Alex Ovechkin (LW)’s goal. But there was no question on the third goal, as he bludgeoned in a loose puck.

J.T Miller (C, LW) had two assists in the loss and has recorded 23 points (7G / 16A) on an 11-game point streak. Lars Eller (C) scored on a 2-on-1 to win the game for the Washington Capitals in overtime.

Blue Jackets beat Wild 3-2 (SO)

Kaapo Kahkonen (G) saved 26 of 28 shots, allowing fewer than three goals for only the second time in his last five starts but fell to 0-4-1 in that span. Elvis Merzlinkins (G) made 36 of 38 saves, the first time he has allowed fewer than three goals in his last eight starts (3-3-2).

Mats Zuccarello (RW) had another two-point game (1G / 1A) in the loss for the Wild. Zuccarello already has 19 multi-point efforts in 49 games this season. He only had 17 in his previous two seasons combined (107 games).

Vegas is in trouble

With Robin Lehner (G) being evaluated for a lower-body injury, Laurent Brossoit (G) got the start against the Pittsburgh Penguins after having played the previous night in a 3-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Brossoit allowed four goals on 32 shots and fell to 1-5-1 in his last seven starts while posting a .888 SV%. The Golden Knights are struggling in general, having lost three in a row and nine of their last 13 (4-8-1). With Lehner’s status uncertain, it poses a lot of question marks in the Vegas crease. That being said, it’s not as if Lehner has been lights out this season either. If his injury proves to be long-term, it’s hard to imagine that Vegas doesn’t search to strengthen its goaltending before the trade deadline, even if it’s just to have some security behind Lehner.

Jonathan Marchessault (C, LW) had two assists in the loss and leads Vegas with 45 points (24G / 21A). He has 12 points (4G / 8A) in his last 10 games.

Tristan Jarry (G) made 40 of 42 saves in the 5-2 win for the Penguins and is now 2-0-0 when making 40 saves or more this season. Bryan Rust (LW, RW) had two points (1G / 1A) and has now reached 20 goals in three consecutive campaigns. Rust is a pending UFA at the end of the season.

Barry Trotz wins 900th career game

Semyon Varlamov (G) saved 27 of 29 shots for the New York Islanders to record his first win in his last seven starts (1-6-0). The Islanders are all but out of a playoff race, but that hasn’t stopped them from getting big performances from several players lately.

  • Brock Nelson (C) had two points (1G/ 1A) on Friday and extended his point streak to five games (4G / 2A / 6PTS).
  • Josh Bailey (LW, RW) had two goals and now has four points (3G / 1A) in his last two games. Bailey only had three goals in his previous 45 games this season.
  • Jean-Gabriel Pageau (C) had two assists to give him nine points (3G / 6A) in his last eight games.
  • Anders Lee (LW) scored a goal to give him seven points (6G / 1A) in his last three games.
  • Anthony Beauvillier (LW, RW) had two assists and now has seven points (1G / 6A) in his last five games.

The Winnipeg Jets lost for the seventh time in their last 11 games (4-5-2) and have allowed three or more goals in 10 of those games. The Jets are making things very difficult for themselves in an incredibly tight Western Conference playoff race and now have three teams and five points separating them from the final Wildcard position. Kyle Connor (LW) scored his 36th goal of the season on a clear-cut 2-on-0 in the first period. Connor has 11 points (7G / 4A) in his last eight games.

Other News and Notes

Injury Report

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