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Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/25/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Apr 25, 2022, 02:53 EDT
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/25/22
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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.

Monumental collapse in Vegas

Desperate for two points in their final home game of the season, the Vegas Golden Knights had a 4-2 lead with under three minutes remaining in regulation, yet someone managed to walk away with only one point in a 5-4 shootout loss to the San Jose Sharks.

James Reimer (G) saved 42 of 46 shots for the Sharks, including an onslaught in overtime while shorthanded and saved all three Golden Knights’ shootout attempts. Rookie Thomas Bordeleau (C) put the dagger in the Golden Knights with a beautiful move to end the game.

Entering the game, The Golden Knights controlled their fate but will now face elimination from playoff contention with a regulation loss to the Dallas Stars on Tuesday. Mark Stone (RW) was held pointless again and has been held off the scoresheet in each of the six games he has played since returning from injury earlier this month. Shea Theodore (D) had two assists in the loss to give him 13 points (6G / 7A) in his last 12 games.

Predators lose but gain valuable point

The Nashville Predators lost for the sixth time in their last nine games (3-4-2) but gained a valuable point in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. The Predators are in the top Wild Card position in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Dallas Stars. Filip Forsberg (LW) had three points (1G / 2A) for the Predators and joined Matt Duchene (C, RW) this season as the only two Predators to have scored 40-goals in franchise history. Kevin Fiala (LW, RW) scored two points for the Wild and has truly elevated his game to another level. He has 23 points (10G / 13A) during a 10-game point streak and now has 84 points (33G / 51A) after never having scored more than 54 points in his career before.

Lightning make statement; snap Panthers’ 13-game streak

After having lost six of nine games (3-4-2) and facing some adversity, the Tampa Bay Lightning won their third straight game to prove why they are back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions and why they are a serious threat for a three-peat. The Lightning defeated the hottest team in the league on Sunday, the Florida Panthers, in an impressive 8-4 victory. The loss snapped a 13-game winning streak for the Panthers. The Lightning have now outscored their opposition 22-7 in their last three games (3-0-0) and seem to be firing on all cylinders with the NHL playoffs starting in one week. Nikita Kucherov (RW) had five points (2G / 3A) to give him 16 points (8G / 8A) during a six-game point streak. Kucherov has 62 points (23G / 39A) on the season and ranks fourth in the league, averaging 1.41 points per game. Steven Stamkos (C, RW) had four points (2G / 2A) and now has 97 points (37G / 60A) this season, only one point back of his career-high 98 point season in 2018-19. Nick Paul (C, LW) scored two goals for the Lightning and has become a solid contributor, with 12 points (4G / 8A) in his last 13 games.

Oilers struggle without Mike Smith

Mikko Koskinen allowed four goals on 30 shots for the Edmonton Oilers in a 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Oilers have lost only five times in their last 16 games (11-4-1). Four of those five losses have been games that Koskinen has started. Connor McDavid recorded two points (0G / 2A) to give him 118 points (43G / 75A) and extend his lead in the scoring race over Jonathan Huberdeau (LW), who has 115 points (30G / 85A). Both players have three games remaining this season. Rookie Nick Blankenbgurg (D) scored two points (1G / 1A) for the Blue Jackets to give him six points (1G / 2A) through six career games.

Matthews returns, Kallgren wins

Auston Matthews (C) returned to the lineup for the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing three games for maintenance and replaced John Tavares (C), who was given the game off to get some rest of his own. Matthews recorded two assists in a 4-3 shootout victory for the Maple Leafs over the Washington Capitals. Erik Kallgren saved 34 of 37 shots in the victory after having struggled immensely in his previous nine games, posting a .854 SV% and 4-4-0 record. Alex Ovechkin (LW) was forced to leave the game and did not return after falling hard into the boards.

Avalanche struggling

After winning nine straight games and clinching the top seed in the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche seem to have lost their regular-season motivation as they lost for the fourth straight game (0-4-0) in a 4-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Kyle Connor (LW, RW) scored his 45th goal of the season in the victory for the Jets.

Notable nights

  • Alex Nedeljkovic (G) saved all 17 shots he faced in a 3-0 win for the Detroit Red Wings over the New Jersey Devils. It was his second shutout in his last four starts (2-2-0) and fourth shutout this season. Nedeljkovic trails only Ilya Sorokin’s (G) seven shutouts for most among all goalies on non-playoff teams.
  • Ryan Getzlaf (C) received a night full of praise and tributes as he played in his final NHL game. He recorded one last assist in a 6-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues.
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