DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 02/14/22
The DailyFaceoff 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.
Penguins top Devils and move to first in Metropolitan
Mike Matheson scored a goal for the Penguins in their 4-2 victory over the Devils. Since the 2016-17 season, Matheson surprisingly ranks 31st among all defensemen in goals scored, with 45.
Just below Matheson on the list is Damon Severson (40 goals), who recorded an assist in the game. Dougie Hamilton is expected to return to action any day, but in his absence, Severson has put up 16 points in 16 games. Like Matheson, Severson has never been relied upon too heavily to provide an offensive punch but has proven this season that he is more than capable of stepping up when needed.
Senators continue to get strong goaltending
On Sunday, Anton Forsberg saved 33 of 34 shots in a 4-1 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Ottawa Senators have been getting strong goaltending of late regardless of who is in the net. Over the last 11 games, the Senators have gone 6-4-1 and have only allowed 20 goals during that stretch, a 1.82 GAA per game.
Alexander Ovechkin’s love for scoring goals sometimes overshadows his love for playing a physical brand of hockey. That being said, he seems to have a more positive impact on his team when he focuses on goal-scoring. Ovechkin was credited with 10 hits on Sunday, the seventh time in his career that he has reached double-digits in a game. The Capitals have been on the losing end of each of those seven games.
Skinner has huge game in win over Canadiens
After scoring a goal in his last game, Cole Caufield was promoted to the top line to play alongside Nick Suzuki and Tyler Toffoli. He finished the game with a -3 rating and three shots on goal with 18:16 time on ice, only his second time topping 18 minutes this season.
Jeff Skinner continued his bounce-back season for the Sabres, scoring four goals and an assist in the victory. He has 34 points (20G / 14A) in 45 games.
You just love to see it.
Watch all of Jeff Skinner's goals from today's game in Montreal⬇️ pic.twitter.com/aeogocnpD3
Avs continue to roll with 4-0 win over Stars
Nathan MacKinnon had an assist in his return to action after missing the previous four games with a concussion and facial fracture. With the win, the Avalanche now have points in their last 19 games (17-0-2). The Colorado Avalanche are an extremely good team. There isn’t much else that needs to be said.
Other News and Notes
- Austin Watson was suspended two games for a hit on Bruins defenseman Jack Ahcan.
- The Montreal Canadiens placed Ben Chiarot on IR.