Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/26/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Mar 26, 2022, 01:44 EDT
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/26/22

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.

Jets fight off Blue Jackets

Oliver Bjorkstrand (LW, RW) scored for the Columbus Blue Jackets with only 14 seconds remaining to send the game to overtime but Nikolaj Ehlers (LW, RW) quickly ended it on a breakaway in the extra frame. Since returning from injury earlier in the month, Ehlers has 12 points (7G / 5A) in 12 games.

Josh Morrissey (D) has been a staple on the Jets’ top powerplay unit for some time now and scored his sixth powerplay goal of the season in the win. He has five points (4G / 1A) in his last six games. Eric Comrie (G) stopped 33 of 36 shots and has quietly had a fantastic season in a backup role for the Jets, with an 8-2-1 record and .920 SV%.

Kreider continues incredible season

Igor Shesterkin (G) had a light night for the New York Rangers, saving 20 of 21 shots in a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 21 shots tied the fewest Shesterkin has faced in a full game this season. Entering the season, Chris Kreider (LW, RW) had only topped 50 points twice in his nine-year NHL career. On Friday night, he scored two goals to give him 44 on the season. Kreider is on pace to score 55 goals, which would alone shatter his previous single-season high of 53 points (28G / 25A) in the 2016-17 campaign.

Andrew Copp (C, LW, RW) scored his first goal as a Ranger and now has three points (1G / 2A) in two games for his new team. Frank Vatrano (LW, RW) scored again to give him two points (2G / 0A) in his four games with the Rangers. Both new additions, Copp and Vatrano, find themselves on the first and second line respectively and look to have plenty of opportunities to continue their hot starts.

Makar, Avalanche takedown Flyers

Cale Makar (D) continued his flawless season for the Colorado Avalanche, scoring another two goals to give him 73 points (24G / 49A) in 61 games. The defenseman scoring battle has turned into a two-horse race between Makar and Roman Josi (D), with Josi ahead at 79 points (18G / 61A) in 63 games.

The Avalanche peppered Carter Hart (G) with 51 shots on Friday. It was the second time this season that the Avalanche reached 50 shots on goal, the first was also against the Philadelphia Flyers in a 7-5 win in December.

Capitals top Sabres 4-3 (SO)

Alex Ovechkin (LW) scored a goal for the Washington Capitals on route to a 4-3 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres. Ovechkin has 12 points (8G / 4A) in his last 10 games. It’s amazing that Ovechkin continues to score the same types of goals yet continues to amaze each time he does it, always making it seem so effortless.

Jeff Skinner (LW) scored two goals for the Sabres to give him 26 on the season and four points (3G / 1A) in his last three games. Skinner has four 30-goal seasons in his career.

Gaudreau, Flames fight off Coyotes

Johnny Gaudreau (LW, RW) had a three-point night (1G / 2A), including his 30th goal of the season and 200th of his career, to lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Gaudreau now has 85 points (30G / 55A) in 64 games this season, trailing only the 99-point season he had in 2018-19 for most in his career. He has 21 points (10G / 11A) in his last 14 games.

Tyler Toffoli (LW, RW) was held pointless and after starting his Flames career with 13 points (8G / 5A) in his first 13 games, he has only two points (0G / 2A) in his last six.

Injury Report

MORE FACEOFF.IN YOUR INBOX.
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR DAILY NEWSLETTER
Keep scrolling for more content!