Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/19/22
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.
Gaudreau scores twice, Flames beat Blackhawks
Johnny Gaudreau (LW, RW) scored two goals, giving him 15 points (6G / 9A) in his last eight games, on route to leading the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Gaudreau now has career-highs in goals (38), assists (69), and points (107). Gaudreau will not reach Kent Nilsson’s franchise record of 131 points but, with six games remaining, is only three points back of Joe Mullen’s 110-point season for second-best all-time in Flames franchise history. Dillon Dube (C, LW, RW) scored for the Flames as well, giving him goals in three straight games and six points (4G / 2A) in his last five. Alex DeBrincat (LW, RW) recorded an assist for the Blackhawks but has been stuck on 39 goals for seven games (0G / 8A), his longest goalless drought this season. The Blackhawks have lost 10 of their last 11 games (1-8-2) and have allowed four or more goals in nine of those games.
Welcome to the 600-point club, @johngaudreau03! 🤩
📺: @Sportsnet ➡️ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF #NHLonSN pic.twitter.com/rOzefu1V2D
Capitals defeat Avalanche 3-2
Alex Ovechkin (LW) scored his 48th goal of the season as the Washington Capitals defeated the Colorado Avalanche 5-2, snapping their nine-game winning streak. Ovechkin has 16 points (12G / 4A) in his last 16 games and has six games left this season to try and reach 50 goals for the ninth time in his career. The Capitals improved to 6-1-0 in their last seven games. Valeri Nichushkin (LW, RW) scored in the loss for the Avalanche and has 16 points (8G / 8A) in his last 15 games. Nichushkin has 47 points (22G / 25A) in 57 games this season, only a single point less than the 48 points (23G / 25A) he scored in 120 games over the previous two seasons combined. Artturi Lehkonen (LW, RW) also scored in the loss for Avalanche to give him five points (2G / 3A) in his last four games.
Devils throw a wrench in Western Conference
The New Jersey Devils have only won three of their last 10 games (3-5-2), but two of those games have had a major impact on the Western Conference playoff race. Nine days after defeating the Dallas Stars, the Devils held on for a 3-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. Andrew Hammond (G) played a remarkable game, saving 42 of 44 shots for his first win in four games as a Devil. Robin Lehner (G) allowed three goals on 28 shots and has a .879 SV% over his last four games (1-2-1). Mark Stone (RW) played his fourth game since returning from injury and is yet to record a point. The Golden Knights sit three points behind the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division with only five games remaining.
Canucks win sixth straight
The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Dallas Stars by a commanding 6-2 score and suddenly find themselves with a direct route into the playoffs. The Canucks are four points behind the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division with one game in hand. There is no room for error but as of right now, if the Canucks can win their remaining six games, with one matchup against the Kings, they will be guaranteed a playoff spot. As he has on most nights lately, Elias Pettersson (C) led the way for the Canucks with three points (2G / 1A) to give him 14 points (7G / 7A) during the Canucks’ six-game win streak. Pettersson set a new career-high with 29 goals, passing the 28 goals he scored as a rookie in 2018-19. Brock Boeser (RW) returned from injury and recorded a three-point night of his own (1G / 2A). Roope Hintz (C, LW) scored both goals for the Stars, a powerplay goal and a shorthanded goal, to give him eight points (4G / 4A) in his last five games.
"Pettersson in, BOESER SCORES!!!!"
Music to our ears 🎶☺️ pic.twitter.com/QSkJdeFhmK
Hurricanes win without Andersen
Antti Raanta (G) got the start for the Carolina Hurricanes as Frederik Andersen (G) will miss at least a week with an undisclosed injury sustained on Saturday. Raanta allowed three goals on 26 shots to secure the victory against his former team. The Hurricanes won for only the fourth time in their last nine games (4-5-0). Karel Vejmelka (G) allowed five goal on 51 shots. It was the ninth time this season that Vejmelka has faced at least 40 shots but he has performed remarkably in all of them, posting a 4-4-1 record and .951 SV%. Monday’s loss marked only the third time the Coyotes have scored more than one goal in their past nine games (1-8-0).