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DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 03/07/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Mar 7, 2022, 08:26 EST
DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 03/07/22

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.

Robertson nets consecutive hat-tricks; Wild continue to bleed goals

Minnesota Wild coach Dean Evason pulled the goalie, down by three, with almost nine minutes remaining in the third period. Kirill Kaprizov (LW, RW) extended his point streak to five games (5G / 3A / 8PTS) by scoring two goals with the net empty to bring the Wild to within one, but it was too little too late as the Dallas Stars went on to win 6-3. Jason Robertson (LW) scored the second of two empty-net goals for the Stars and iced the game, completing a hat-trick for the second consecutive game.

From the beginning of the season to February 13th, the Minnesota Wild had allowed 121 goals in 43 games, the fourth-fewest goals in the league. They have allowed 53 goals in the 11 games since, most in the league and 11 more than the next closest to them. During that stretch, the Wild are 3-8-0 and have allowed four or more goals in nine of the 11 games.

Riley Tufte (LW) played in his ninth career game and scored his first career goal while playing in front of his family and friends, just outside his hometown of Coon Rapids, Minnesota. John Klingberg (D) recorded two assists and snapped an eight-game pointless skid. Despite the drought, Klingberg still has 15 power-play points since Nov. 23, the third most among all defensemen during that time.

Devils hand Blues third straight loss

Between injuries to Mackenzie Blackwood (G), Jonathan Bernier (G), and the poor play of Jon Gillies (G), the New Jersey Devils have struggled to keep the puck out of their net all season. Nico Daws (G) started his fourth consecutive game for the Devils and made 19 of 21 saves to secure a 3-2 overtime win over the St. Louis Blues. Daws has been a breath of fresh air in the Devils’ crease and has a 4-3-0 record to match a 2.71 GAA, almost a full goal less than the 3.54 GAA the Devils have as a team on the season.

Kings, Petersen heating up

The Los Angeles Kings scored two empty-net goals and Cal Petersen (G) made 19 saves to record his second shutout of the season in a 3-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Petersen has heated up recently after taking a backseat to Jonathan Quick to start the season, starting only 11 of the Kings’ first 34 games (5-5-1) and posting a .893 SV%. He has now started 13 of their last 23 (10-3-0) and has a .910 SV% with two shutouts. The Kings have won nine of their last 12 (9-3-0) and sit second in the Pacific Division.

Vasilevskiy steals the show

Victor Hedman (D) scored his second goal of the game early in the third period, the first of three goals by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 32 seconds, en route to defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3, but it was Andrei Vasilevskiy (G) that was the story of the game. Vasilevskiy saved 24 of 27 shots and recorded his fourth win this season when recording a sub-.900 SV% (4-5-1) and made several electrifying saves to preserve the win.

Unlikely hero for Hurricanes

Antti Raanta (G) got the start against the Seattle Kraken as Frederik Andersen (G) did not dress and was listed as day-to-day by the Carolina Hurricanes with an undisclosed injury. The Hurricanes do not play again until Thursday, so although the nature of Andersen’s injury is unclear, don’t expect him to miss much more time, if any, between the pipes. Raanta made 28 of 30 saves in the 3-2 victory and Martin Necas scored the game-winning goal, his first goal in 19 games (1G / 7A / 8PTS). After a breakout season last year with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 53 games, Necas has struggled to find his gear this season and has seen his average time on ice from his first 40 games drop by 2:14 in his last 11. With the loss, the Kraken have lost nine of their past 10 games (1-8-1) and have scored more than two goals only twice in that span.

Familiar storyline for Rangers, Jets

Chris Kreider (LW, RW) scored two goals, Igor Shesterkin (G) had a superhero performance, and the Winnipeg Jets lost for the 15th time in their past 22 games (7-10-5) as the New York Rangers won 4-1 on Sunday evening. Kreider moved to one goal behind Auston Matthews’ league-leading 39 goals and has goals in three or more consecutive games for the fourth time this season. Kreider now has 53 points (38 G / 15A) in 55 games this season which ties the career-high for points he set in 75 games during the 2016-17 season.

Shesterkin continued his remarkable season, saving 45 of 46 shots, and improved to 11-0-0 when making 34 saves or more in a game. He has allowed only one goal in five of his past six starts (5-1-0).

The Jets’ losing skid has become pretty bleak as there are now three teams, and eight points, separating them and the Nashville Predators in the final Wild Card position. Nikolaj Ehlers scored the lone goal for the Jets and has two points (1G / 1A) along with 11 shots on goal in his two games since returning from an eight-week injury.

Golden Knights defeat Sens, Forsberg in final seconds

Jack Eichel (C) scored a power-play goal with only six seconds remaining in regulation to give the Vegas Golden Knights a much-needed victory. The Golden Knights improved to 4-5-1 in their last nine and won consecutive games for the first time since February 8th. Max Pacioretty (LW) made a surprise return to the lineup after missing two games with an upper-body injury. He assisted on the game-winning goal and had five shots, only the second time he has recorded more than two shots in his last 11 games.

Anton Forsberg (G) had a heroic effort in the loss, making 40 saves on 42 shots. He has a .940 SV% and has made 40 saves or more in each of his last three contests (1-2-0).

Other News and Notes

Injury Report

  • Tyler Seguin (DAL) returned to the lineup but Miro Heiskanen remained out with an illness.
  • Mats Zuccarello (MIN) returned to the lineup after missing the last game with an undisclosed injury.
  • Pavel Zacha (NJD) played on Sunday after missing action on Friday with an illness.
  • Matt Murray (OTT) was placed on IR.
  • John Gibson (ANA) and Ryan Getzlaf both missed Sunday’s game with injuries.
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