DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 02/26/22
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.
Winnipeg is in trouble
The Winnipeg Jets keep finding different ways to lose.
On Monday, the Jets were tied 1-1 with under a minute remaining. They lost in regulation. On Wednesday, they had a 2-1 lead with six minutes remaining. They lost in overtime. Last night, they had a 3-0 lead at the first intermission. They gave up six unanswered goals and lost 6-3.
The Jets have now lost 13 of their last 18 games (5-9-4). They are six points out of the final Wild Card spot and need to turn things around quickly if they have any playoff aspirations in an ultra-competitive Western Conference.
The big boys showed up for the Avalanche on Friday night. Nathan MacKinnon scored two goals and had a career-high 14 shots, the first time that number has been reached since Alex Ovechkin had a 15-shot game in 2015. Mikko Rantanen had three assists, giving him nine points (2G / 7A) over a five-game point streak. Gabriel Landeskog led the way with a hat-trick, his second of the season, and now has 28 goals in 44 games this season. He is on pace to score 47 goals, which would shatter his previous career-high of 34 set in the 2018-19 season.
THROW THE CHAPEAU!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/CALltbkYe3
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) February 26, 2022Before things went completely sideways for the Jets, Kyle Connor opened the scoring early in the first period with his 30th goal of the season. Connor has turned into a perennial goal-scoring threat, with four 30-goal seasons in his six-year career.
Wedgewood, Coyotes upset Knights
Anytime the Arizona Coyotes win a game, it’s an upset. This was especially true on Friday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, who despite being among the Stanley Cup favourites, are continuing to slide down the standings. The Golden Knights have dropped four of their last five (1-3-1) and have fallen to third in the Pacific Division.
Nick Schmaltz scored two goals for the Coyotes and continued his stretch of hot play. He has 18 points (10G / 8A) in his last 16 games. Scott Wedgewood had a career-high 43 saves and has put together an impressive stretch of play over his last five games (3-2-0) with a .952 SV% and 1.81 GAA.
Kings keep California’s dream alive at Ducks’ expense
Only about a month ago all three California teams were comfortably in a playoff spot. Since then, the San Jose Sharks have lost seven of their last eight (1-3-4) and the Anaheim Ducks have lost five of their last seven (2-4-1).
The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Ducks 4-1 on Friday and improved to 6-1-0 over their last seven games. The Kings’ recent run of hot play, mixed with the Golden Knights’ poor play, has catapulted them into sole possession of second place in the Pacific Division. Adrian Kempe led the way for the Kings with three points (2G / 1A) and now has eight points (6G / 2A) in his last four games.
Blackhawks top Devils in an offensive showdown
Brandon Hagel and Patrick Kane both scored empty-net goals to cap off hat-tricks for both of them in an 8-5 win over the New Jersey Devils. Hagel’s name has been circulating in trade rumours and was mentioned by our Frank Seravalli as a potential missing piece for a Stanley Cup Contender.
Jon Gillies was back in goal for the Devils and has now allowed six goals in consecutive games. Expect Nico Daws to potentially see some more action as Gillies is struggling and Daws is coming off an impressive victory the night before in Pittsburgh.
Jesper Bratt and Jack Hughes are on incredible offensive runs. Bratt scored two goals for the second night in a row and has 24 points (10G / 14A) in his last 18 games. Hughes recorded three points (1G / 2A) on back-to-back nights as well and now has 28 points (10G / 18A) in his last 19 games.
Blue Jackets suppressed by Hurricanes; end win-streak
The Carolina Hurricanes put on a masterclass on Friday, outshooting the Columbus Blue Jackets 50-19, in a commanding 4-0 victory. The 19-save shutout was the second-fewest required by Frederik Andersen in any of his 22 career shutouts. Teuvo Teravainen scored a goal for the Hurricanes, giving him a seven-game point streak and 14 points (3G / 10A) in his last 12 games.
Patrik Laine’s 11-game point streak, where he amassed 21 points (13G / 8A), came to an end on Friday. Jean-Francois Berube’s storybook return to the NHL came to an end as well, as he recorded his first loss (3-1-0) of the season. Despite the loss, Berube played a terrific game and made a career-high 46 saves and has faced 42 shots or more in each of his last three contests. The Blue Jackets ended a four-game winning streak and fell to 9-3-0 in their last 12 games.
A quick one right off the draw for Teuvo Teravainen. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/yWF15M3OhQ
— NHL (@NHL) February 26, 2022Blues win third straight
Tage Thompson tied the game at 3-3 with seven minutes remaining, scoring his 21st point (11G / 10A) in his last 19 games, but Colton Parayko answered for the St. Louis Blues 83 seconds later. Jordan Kyrou set up the go-ahead goal and had three points (2G / 1A). Kyrou has 23 points (11G / 12A) in his last 20 games. Ville Husso was back in between the pipes for the Blues and saved 35 of 38 shots in the victory.
Other News and Notes
Injury Report
- Jonathan Marchessault (VGK) and Dylan Coghlan did not play on Friday because of illness.
- Elvis Merzlinkins (CBJ) was activated from IR but served as the backup behind J-F Berube.
- Carter Hart (eye infection) will be back in the Flyers’ crease on Saturday.
- Colin White (shoulder) will make his season debut on Saturday.