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Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/27/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Apr 27, 2022, 02:02 EDT
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/27/22

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.

Playoff picture clearing up in Western Conference

Stars get crucial win over Golden Knights

The Dallas Stars could have clinched a playoff spot and eliminated the Vegas Golden Knights with a regulation win but still did a great deal to support their cause with a 3-2 shootout win. Both teams have two games remaining as the Golden Knights will need a lot of help to catch the Dallas Stars, who have a four-point lead. The one-line offence for the Stars continued, with Jason Robertson (LW) potting both goals and becoming the fourth player in franchise history to score 40 goals for the Stars. Robertson has 12 points (8G / 4A) in his last nine games. The Golden Knights pushed hard towards the end of regulation to try and win the game, but Jake Oettinger stood tall and saved 33 of 35 shots in the victory. Logan Thompson (G) was terrific in the loss for the Golden Knights, saving 28 of 30 shots, but eventually gave up the only goal in a seven-round shootout to Miro Heiskanen (D).

Flames complete last-second comeback

Matthew Tkachuk (LW, RW) scored the game-tying goal with 0.1 seconds remaining in regulation for the Calgary Flames on route to an eventual 5-4 overtime win over the Nashville Predators. Tkachuk has 16 points (8G / 8A) in his last 10 games.

Despite failing to hold on for two points, the Predators clinched a playoff spot and maintain full control of their Wild Card placement with their one-point gained. Filip Forsberg (LW) scored two goals for the Predators to extend his point streak to six games (4G / 6A / 10PTS). Roman Josi (D) continued his amazing season with two points (1G / 1A) to give him 93 points (22G / 71A). Juuse Saros (G) was forced to leave the game with an injury late in the third period and did not return. There was no update provided on his status after the game. David Rittich (G) replaced Saros and allowed two goals on five shots in the overtime loss.

Last-place Coyotes surprise Wild

The Coyotes snapped a 10-game losing streak (0-8-2) and scored more than three goals for only the second time in that span with a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota failed to collect a point for the first time in 11 games (8-1-2). The Coyotes took the St. Louis Blue to overtime in their previous game and will be tasked with another challenge on Wednesday as the Dallas Stars can clinch a playoff spot with a single point against them. Shayne Gostisbehere (D) recorded three assists to give him 47 points (11G / 36A), the second-highest total in his career. Gostisbehere has more points than defensemen like Tyson Barrie (39), Torey Krug (41), Alex Pietrangelo (43), and John Klingberg (46). Kevin Fiala (LW, RW) was held off the scoresheet in the loss and saw his 10-game point streak come to an end (10G / 13A / 23PTS).

Avalanche snap losing skid

The Colorado Avalanche snapped a season-worst four-game losing streak (0-4-0) with a 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Avalanche tied a team record by reaching 118 points on the season. Valeri Nichushkin continued to be a main source of offence for the Avalanche, tallying two points (1G / 1A) to give him 12 points (6G / 6A) in his last nine games. Robert Thomas (C, RW) was held off the scoresheet for the Blues and saw his league-best 17-game point streak come to an end (8G / 21A / 29PTS).

Oilers lock up second seed in Pacific

Connor McDavid (C) led the Edmonton Oilers with a four-point night (1G / 3A) in a 5-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. McDavid has 12 points (2G / 10A) in his last four games and has taken a stranglehold of the scoring race with 122 points (44G / 78A). Mike Smith (G) has been nothing short of spectacular for the Oilers, as he saved 33 of 34 shots in another terrific performance. Smith has won his last eight starts and has a lights-out .963 SV% during that stretch. The win secures home-ice advantage for the Oilers in their first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Kings.

Noteworthy nights

  • Steven Stamkos (C, RW) scored four points (2G / 2A) to set a new career-high with 101 points (39G / 62A) and reach the 100-point milestone for the first time in his career. Stamkos has an insane 21 points (7G / 14A) in his last seven games.
    • This marks the first time there have been eight or more 100-point players since 1995-96 when there were 12, led by Mario Lemieux’s 161-points.
  • Nikita Kucherov (RW) recorded four points to give him 12 points (4G / 8A) in his last three games. Kucherov has 66 points (24G / 42A) in 45 games and ranks second, only behind Connor McDavid (1.54) with a 1.47 point-per-game pace.
  • Jack Campbell (G) stopped all 20 shots he faced for the Toronto Maple Leafs to pick up his fifth shutout of the season. Campbell seems to be returning to form with the playoffs right around the corner, posting a .943 SV% in his last four games (3-0-1).
  • Spencer Martin (G) got the start for the Vancouver Canucks with Thatcher Demko (G) and Jaroslav Halak (G) injured. Martin saved 30 of 32 shots in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Kraken, giving him a stellar .953 SV% and 2-0-2 record in his limited action this season.
  • Mackenzie Blackwood (G) returned from injury to play his first game since January 19th and allowed five goals on 34 shots in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators.
  • Tim Stutzle (C, LW) had four points (2G / 2A) for the Senators and has nearly been a point-per-game player for the second half of the season, with 36 points (14G / 22A) in his last 37 games.
  • Drake Batherson (RW) scored two goals, including the overtime winner, to give him 44 points (17G / 27A) in 44 games.

Injury Report

  • Alex Ovechkin (WSH) did not play after being injured on Sunday but is listed as day-to-day and should be ready for the playoffs, if not sooner.
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