Yesterday’s NHL Scores
Last Night’s News 📰
OFF THE ISLAND: Barry Trotz was fired on Monday after four seasons behind the New York Islanders’ bench. The legendary coach saw his tenure with the Islanders come to an end after the reigning Eastern Conference finalists suffered through a disappointing 37-35-10 campaign, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.
AVS MOVE ON: The Colorado Avalanche became the first team to advance past the first round on Monday night, rallying to defeat the Nashville Predators 5-3 and complete a four-game sweep. The Avs will now await the winner of the series between the St. Louis Blues and Minnesota Wild.
NORRIS TROPHY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: The league announced the three finalists for the Norris Trophy for the league’s top “defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.” There were no surprises as they named Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, and Victor Hedman of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
BLUESHIRTS ON THE BRINK: A seven-goal explosion by the Pittsburgh Penguins has them up 3-1 and on the verge of eliminating the New York Rangers. The 7-2 win saw Sidney Crosby lead the Pens with a goal and two assists, reaching 200 career playoff points.
CLUTCH CARTER Carter Verhaege’s overtime winner—his second goal of the night—secured a 3-2 Game 4 win for the Florida Panthers, sending the Presidents’ Trophy winners back home with their series against the Washington Capitals knotted up 2-2. The Panthers forced overtime after Sam Reinhart scored with 2:04 remaining in the third period.
FLAMES EVEN THE SERIES: Jacob Markström stopped 34 of 35 shots and Johnny Gaudreau scored a goal and added an assist, as the Calgary Flames topped the Dallas Stars 4-1 to tie their first-round series at two games apiece. The series returns to Calgary for Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Trivia Tuesday
Yesterday, New York Islanders President of Hockey Operations Lou Lamoriello stunned the hockey community by announcing he fired his head coach, Barry Trotz. Considered one of the best active coaches in the league, Trotz will have plenty of options moving forward, whether it’s behind the bench of a new team or taking a management role in a different city. Let’s see how well you know the hottest free agent coach on the market.
1. Trotz was the first coach in Nashville Predators’ history. Who replaced him?
A. Dan Bylsma
B. Peter Laviolette
C. John Hynes
D. Adam Oates
2. Trotz was born in which Canadian city?
A. Edmonton
B. Vancouver
C. Calgary
D. Winnipeg
3. Trotz has coached 1,812 NHL games, which has him second all-time behind who?
A. Joel Quenneville
B. Paul Maurice
C. Scotty Bowman
D. Lindy Ruff
Answers can be found at the bottom of the email.
Breakout Stars of the 2022 Playoffs
Thus far, the 2022 NHL Postseason has brought out the best in the league’s top talent. Established stars like Brad Marchand, Sidney Crosby, Victor Hedman, and Connor McDavid all adorn the upper reaches of the playoff scoring race. But it wouldn’t be hockey playoffs without a few breakout performers making a name for themselves on the sport’s biggest stage.
As we currently sit right in the thick of the first round, here’s an early look at some of those emerging players so far (sorry, Cale Makar, you no longer qualify as a breakout candidate!):
Trevor Moore, LAK
In Toronto, Jack Campbell is an integral component of the Maple Leafs’ hopes to advance past the first round for the first time since 2004, but the Los Angeles Kings remain pretty content with their end of the 2020 trade that shipped Campbell out too. Previously an unheralded depth forward, California native Trevor Moore has become a top-six regular in LA. The 27-year-old is coming off a career-best 17-goal campaign and now has two goals and five points through four games.
Jake Oettinger, DAL
In a postseason that has produced a stunning level of turnover between the pipes, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars has emerged as a rare and unlikely constant. One of just six goalies to occupy the crease for the entirety of their team’s playoff run thus far, the 23-year-old has stymied the high-powered offense of the Calgary Flames. In a series perceived to be Calgary’s to lose, Oettinger has the Pacific Division champs sweating.
Evan Bouchard, EDM
Alright, who had Evan Bouchard with more points for the Edmonton Oilers than Leon Draisaitl this postseason? Sure, that could—and probably will—change soon, but it speaks to the unlikely hot streak that the 22-year-old blueliner finds himself on during his playoff debut. Of Bouchard’s five points (all assists) in four games, two have come on the power play, giving him a share of the team lead in points with the man advantage along with Oiler stars McDavid and Draisaitl.
By the Numbers: Bounty of Blowouts
The 2022 NHL Postseason has now entered its second week, with every first-round series now through four games. Although six of the eight series are even at 2-2, the games have largely been anything but close. Here is a look at the numbers behind a strange start to the 2022 Playoffs.
21 – Games that have been decided by three or more goals so far this postseason. Thirteen have been decided by four or more goals. All but four of the 32 games that have been played through Wednesday have featured multi-goal margins.
3 – 2022 playoff games that have gone to overtime thus far. The Rangers and Penguins played a marathon triple-overtime game last Tuesday (with Pittsburgh emerging as 4-3 victors), the Avalanche and Predators went to OT last Thursday (with Colorado winning 2-1), and the Panthers tied up their series against the Capitals with a 3-2 OT victory last night.
6 – The number of first-round series (out of the eight total) that are tied heading into Game 5. Despite most of the individual games thus far not being close, most of the series have been hotly contested.
20 – The number of games so far this postseason in which at least one of the teams has scored five or more goals. We’ve also seen multiple seven-goal games and Game 3 between Edmonton and Los Angeles even featured the Oilers putting up eight. Through four games, the Flames vs. Stars series is the only one in which neither team has scored five goals in a game.
Trivia Answers
1. B. Peter Laviolette
2. D. Winnipeg
3. C. Scotty Bowman
Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket
Stanley Cup Playoffs Leading Scorers
Today’s NHL Schedule
- Today’s newsletter was edited by Ben Fisher and Kristy Flannery, with contributions by Grant Tingley.
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