RNH recorded six shots and had a power-play goal in the Oilers comeback win. After a successful rookie season, his sophomore year was nothing to write home about. One-goal in one-game is a solid way to start the season for the 2011 first overall pick.
Smith is 1-0 on the season after stopping 23 of 24 shots in a 4-1 win over the Rangers on Thursday. He will have a tough challenge tonight against the San Jose Sharks. Smith was great against the Sharks last season though. He was 2-0-0 with a 0.48 GAA, .985 SV% and one shutout, so maybe the matchup is not as bad as it looks.
Nugent-Hopkins is coming off of shoulder surgery in the offseason. He was expected to miss much more than just two games, but that does not appear to be the case. His return will certainly be a welcome sight to the Oilers, who are really thin down the middle right now.
Smith missed games because of upper and lower-body injuries last season. He ended the season with a 15-12-5 record, a 2.58 GAA and .910 SV%. Those numbers were a significant drop off from his first season in Phoenix (2.21 / .930). In 2013-14, as long as he can stay healthy he will be the Coyotes workhorse once again. They are expected to be a much improved team from last season, giving Smith some sneaky value. He is a solid number-2 with upside.
The second overall pick in last year's draft probably could have played for the Blue Jackets last season if he had not hurt his shoulder. He is a complete defenseman who will have an impact this year. He had 17 points in 23 games on a WHL blueline last season, he should be able to translate his game into the NHL right away.
Nugent-Hopkins, 20, scored four goals and 24 points in 40 games last season before he was shut down in April to have season-ending shoulder surgery. As a rookie, the third-year NHLer recorded 18 goals and 52 points in 62 contests.
Nugent-Hopkins had surgery in April to repair the torn labrum in his left shoulder. General manager Craig MacTavish said on Sunday that the club is still following the initial timeline, which was a November 1 return. If Nugent-Hopkins isn’t ready for the opener, the Oilers will need to find another centre. MacTavish did not rule the possibility of Taylor Hall moving from the wing but said it would be a coaching decision.
The 23-year-old forward had a great rookie year in 2011-12 when he posted 51 points (16 G, 35 A) in 74 games. However he was only able to muster up 16 points in 42 games in the lockout shortened season. With the departure of Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils needed to re-sign Henrique. He should be considered as a good bounce back candidate heading into the 2013-14 season.
This is the best case scenario for Smith who broke out once joining the Coyotes. Continue to draft him as a top 10 fantasy goalie option.
Mike Smith in 2012 - 38-18-10 / 2.21 GAA / .930 SV%. Smith in 2013 - 13-12-4 / 2.54 GAA / .912 SV%. Yeah Smith had a tough year compared to 2012. But lets be realistic last season was the first time he posted a GAA under 2.60 since his rookie year in 2006. I'm not saying he is not a good goalie but some regression from 2012 was definitely to be expected. However he does have a good matchup tonight vs. the Avs and is one of the better options in a quiet night in the NHL.
Smith had a tough night in one of the Coyotes biggest games of the season, allowing three power-play goals in a 4-0 loss to the Red WIngs on Monday. It is worth noting that Smith is playing through a lower-body injury. He will face a Sharks team that he shutout the only time he faced them this season.
Demers will miss his second straight game tonight and his third tomorrow with a foot injury. He has just one goal and two assists in 22 games this season.
In the event that you have Henrique on your team, make sure to leave him on the bench tonight.
Smith returned to the lineup Saturday and made 38 saves, plus two more in the shootout, as the Coyotes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 to remain alive for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference. This is a huge game for both teams, so Smith will need to be at his best tonight.
Smith returned to the lineup Saturday and made 38 saves, plus two more in the shootout, as the Coyotes defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 to remain alive for one of the final playoff spots in the Western Conference. This is a huge game for both teams, so Smith will need to be at his best tonight.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will fly to Cleveland Sunday to have his shoulder examined.
And a last minute start for Smith who is able to play though his injury.
No word yet on the extent of Demers' injury.
Smith's injury came at an unfortunate time for fantasy owners who have largely been without the goalie's services for the last month. The good news is, however, that Smith did skate briefly today and will accompany the team on their upcoming road trip.
