Smith has been sensational to start the season. After a troubling 2014-15 campaign, Smith has started this year off 2-0-0 while stopping 67 of 69 shots (.971 SV%) vs. the Kings and Penguins. He draws another tough matchup on Wednesday vs. Anaheim—a team that he played well against last year—1-3-0, 2.22 GAA, .936 SV%.
Smith stopped 40 of 41 shots that he faced in the Coyotes win over the Kings last night. What a great start to the season for Smith, who had the worst season of his career last year. Smith is the Coyotes clear No. 1 netminder which is why the Coyotes will turn to him again in tonight’s difficult matchup with the Penguins.
Smith stopped 40 of 41 shots that he faced in the Coyotes win over the Kings last night. What a great start to the season for Smith, who had the worst season of his career last year. Smith is the Coyotes clear No. 1 netminder which is why it looks like the Coyotes will turn to him again in tonight’s difficult matchup with the Penguins.
2014-15 was a season to forget for Mike Smith. He won just 14 of his 62 games and posted a career-worst 3.16 GAA with a .904 SV%. The good news? He can’t possibly be that bad again and you probably got him on the cheap. His bounce-back season will start tonight against the Kings—who he was 0-2-0 with a 2.54 GAA and .927 SV% against a season ago.
Nurse, 20, had a nice preseason and some thought that he would at least get another preseason game, but he has been sent to the minors where he will wait for his next shot. The AHL has developed Anton Lander and Oscar Klefbom into great players, so the Oilers appear to be content to be patient with the former seventh overall pick. There’s a very strong chance Nurse gets recalled at some point during the season.
Griffith sprained his left knee in the Bruins preseason opener. Griffith had 10 points (6G / 4A) in 30 games with the Bruins last season and was poised to battle for a roster spot in training camp. This injury will likely force Griffith to start in the AHL, where he had 31 points (12G / 19A) in 39 games a season ago.
McDavid becomes the Oilers fourth 1st overall pick in the last six years. The 18-year-old phenom has dominated the OHL for the last two seasons and was the consensus number-1 overall pick coming into the draft. He finished the 2014-15 season with 44 goals and 76 assists (120 points) in 47 games with Erie. He did not slow down in the playoffs either, tallying 49 points (21G / 28A) in 20 contests. He wraps up his junior career with 97 goals and 188 assists (285 points) in 166 career regular season games.
Hyman, 22, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st, but is expected to get a deal done with the Maple Leafs. Hyman is a Toronto native and was a Hobey Baker finalist in the NCAA after scored 22 goals with 32 assists (54 points) in 37 games at the University of Michigan.
Murray returned to the lineup for the last two games, but will be held out of the lineup in the season finale. He has had two injury ravaged seasons so they will let him rest tonight in a meaningless game vs. the Islanders.
Smith allowed four goals on 24 shots in the Coyotes loss in Vancouver on Thursday. He has lost four of five while posting a 3.30 GAA and .917 SV%. He will close out a disappointing season tonight vs. the Ducks. The 33-year-old has gone 14-41-5 with a 3.17 GAA and .903 SV% so far this season.
Kulak, 21, was a fourth round pick (105th overall) in 2012. The 6-foot-1, 185 lbs. defenseman had nine points (4G / 5A) in 22 games with Adirondack after starting the season in the ECHL. Kulak is expected to make his NHL debut on the Flames third pair with John Ramage as his partner.
Smith allowed three goals on 32 shots in the Coyotes 3-2 loss to the Flames on Tuesday. Smith has lost three of his last four games while posting a 2.81 GAA and .930 SV%. Tonight he will get his fourth crack at the Canucks—he has gone 1-2-0 with a 3.30 GAA and .909 SV% in the first three meetings.
Murray has been out since March 18th, but he will be back in tonight with Kevin Connauton coming out. Murray had two assists in 10 games before getting injured yet again. He has had a tough time staying healthy, but he makes for a nice add for the last week of the season due to his offensive upside and with the Leafs, Sabres and Islanders on the schedule.
Smith allowed three goals on 45 shots in the Coyotes win over the Sharks on Saturday. Smith has won three of his last five starts while posting a 2.99 GAA and .924 SV%. Tonight it will be his fourth start against the Flames—he is 0-3-0 with a 4.05 GAA and .833 SV% in the first three contests.
Murray has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury, but there is a chance that he could get back in the lineup tomorrow vs. the Maple Leafs. Monitor his status during Wednesday’s morning skate and pre-game warmups.
Nugent-Hopkins is in danger of missing his second straight game with a lower-body injury. Monitor his status in the morning skate, but it doesn’t look like he will be available vs. the Kings.
Smith allowed two goals on 34 shots in the Coyotes loss to the Sabres on Monday. Louis Domingue started last night, but it will be Smith tonight vs. the Sharks. Smith has won two of his last six, while posting a 2.68 GAA and .931 SV%. He is also just 6-20-3 at home, so there are better options tonight.
Koekkoek, 21, was the Lightning’s first-round pick (10th overall) in 2012. He has registered 24 points (5G / 19A) in his first season with Syracuse. With Victor Hedman’s status for Tuesday still in question, Koekkoek could be making his NHL debut in Toronto—which is just four hours from his hometown of Winchester, Ontario.
