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Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/21/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Apr 21, 2022, 01:53 EDT
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/21/22

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.

Kraken win third straight

Philipp Grubauer (G) saved 25 of 27 shots to help the Seattle Kraken record their first-ever three-game winning streak in a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche. The win was the first for Grubauer against the Avalanche since leaving them in the off-season. After recording a .880 SV% in his first 27 games (7-15-4), Grubauer has been much better with a .902 SV% in his last 26 games (11-14-1). Matthew Beniers (C) recorded an assist for the Kraken to give him a four-game point streak to start his NHL career (2G / 2A / 4PTS). Nazem Kadri (C) played his first game for the Avalanche since March 31st and recorded one assist in 21:28 time on ice. Pavel Francouz (G) made 26 of 29 saves, recording his first regulation loss since early March (6-1-1).

Ovechkin scores 50; Golden Knights get big win

Alex Ovechkin (LW) scored two goals for the Washington Capitals to give him 50 goals for the ninth time in his career, tying Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most all-time. Despite having now reached 50 goals six times in his last 12 seasons, he has only surpassed the 51-goal mark once in that time but could very well top that number again at age 36. The Capitals have five games remaining for Ovechkin to try to add to his totals.

Robin Lehner (G) got the start for the Vegas Knights but oddly was replaced by Logan Thompson (G) after allowing one goal on 13 shots in the first period. Thompson (G) made 13 of 15 saves in the 4-3 overtime victory. Evgenii Dadonov (LW, RW) had two points (1G / 1A) and, with 17 points (8G / 9A) in his last 14 games, has easily been the most consistent forward for the Golden Knights. Shea Theodore (D) had two points (1G / 1A) including a beautiful individual effort to score the game-winner in overtime. Theodore has 11 points (6G / 5A) in his last 11 games after recording only a single assist in his previous 11.

Stars struggling at worst time

The Dallas Stars lost for the second straight game and for the fifth time in their last eight (3-3-2) in a 5-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Stars have scored only seven goals in their last four games (2-1-1) and have received production outside of the Roope Hintz (C, LW), Jason Robertson (LW), and Joe Pavelski (C, RW) line in only one of those games. Hintz (1G / 1A) and Robertson (1G / 1A) both had two-point games for the Stars but they will need to get some depth production if they have any intention of securing a playoff spot. The Stars maintain their hold of the second Wild Card position in the Western Conference and are two points ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights with one game in hand. The Stars play the Calgary Flames on Thursday and a win is imperative for them as they will only have four games remaining, including a matchup against the Golden Knights.

Connor McDavid (C) scored three points (1G / 2A) in the Oilers’ victory to retake the scoring lead with 113 points (43G / 70A), two points ahead of Jonathan Huberdeau (LW). Mike Smith (G) saved 34 of 36 shots for the Oilers to improve to 7-0-0 with a .954 SV% in his last seven games.

Blackhawks win battle of two worst teams

Alex DeBrincat (LW, RW) scored his 40th goal of the season in overtime to win the game 4-3 and give the Blackhawks a very rare victory. Entering the game, the Blackhawks had a 1-8-2 record in their last 11 games while their opponent, the Arizona Coyotes, had lost 14 of their last 16 games (2-13-1). DeBrincat snapped a season-worst seven-game goalless drought to reach 40 goals for the second time in his five-year career. Dominik Kubalik (LW, RW) had two points (1G / 1A) for the Blackhawks to give him nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 11 games after being invisible for much of the season. Kubalik only had five points (2G / 3A) in his previous 23 games.

Other News and Notes

Injury Report

  • Mikko Rantanen (COL) did not play on Wednesday because of an illness.
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