RADIO
Martin Jones Pulled Early in Loss After Awful Start
1 month agoSan Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones allowed three goals on seven shots in the first seven minutes of the game before getting the hook. After a strong showing in Game 1, Jones imploded in Game 2, confirming many of the concerns that followed him after a tough showing in the regular season. His .924 save percentage in the playoffs compares favorably to his career .912 save percentage, giving some hope that he would be able to dial up his performance in the postseason, but that has thoroughly been cast into doubt. It will be interesting to see if the Sharks turn to Jones again in Game 3 or if they go with Aaron Dell, who allowed two goals on 16 shots in relief. Either way, the San Jose crease is probably best left alone when exploring fantasy options.Source: NHL.com
Marc-Edouard Vlasic Exits Game 2 With Injury, Return Unclear
1 month agoSan Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic left the game after blocking a shot from Vegas defenseman Shea Theodore and did not return. Vlasic was able to play only 7:02 minutes in the game before being injured, and at this time his status for Game 3 is unclear. San Jose will feel the impact of missing one of their best shutdown defenseman if Vlasic has to miss any time, which will make it more difficult to ensure Game 2's defensive blowout does not happen again. His absence would shift more of the defensive burden to teammates Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson, which may limit what they can contribute offensively.Source: Kevin Kurz
Stellar Showing From Mike Smith Secures Game 1 Win
1 month agoCalgary Flames goaltender Mike Smith shut down the Colorado offense, stopping all 26 of the shots he faced as Calgary grabbed the early advantage in their first-round series. It was Smith's fourth career playoff shutout, but his first since the 2011-2012 season, which was the last time he made a postseason appearance. Smith was stellar all those years ago, posting a .944 save percentage across 16 starts, and Calgary was rewarded in the series-opener in betting that Smith could recapture that magic. It helped his case that Calgary was able to hold Colorado's vaunted top line to only nine shots, and if they can continue that trend, Smith will have every opportunity to shine in this series.Source: NHL.com
First Career Playoff Goals From Matthew Tkachuk in Game 1
1 month agoCalgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk had as effective of a game as anyone could ask for, scoring his first two career playoff goals, registering three shots and four hits and working his way under the skin of as many Colorado players as he could. It was a quintessential Tkachuk game for the young forward, who is carrying over his breakout regular season into the playoffs. Only teammate Mikael Backlund saw more ice time than Tkachuk out of Calgary's forward group on Thursday, hinting that Calgary's second line may be a point of emphasis in the series as they attack Colorado's depth. If that continues to be the case, Tkachuk could have a big series ahead of him.Source: NHL.com
Petr Mrazek Fails To Deliver in Game 1
1 month agoCarolina Hurricanes goaltender Petr Mrazek kicked off his postseason campaign with a very poor performance, managing only 14 saves in a 4-2 loss to Washington in Game 1. The series started horribly for him, as he allowed a soft opening goal to Nicklas Backstrom with less than 10 minutes played, and he had already given up three goals in total when the period-ending buzzer sounded. Mrazek was perfect for the rest of the way, but the damage was done already, and the Capitals also had just nine shots combined in the second and third period. Curtis McElhinney is waiting in the wings, so Mrazek has to do a lot better in Game 2 on Saturday.Source: ESPN
Andrei Svechnikov Carries Carolina In Game 1
1 month agoCarolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov made sure that the team wouldn't go down without a fight in Game 1 against Washington on Thursday, scoring both of the team's goals in an eventual 4-2 loss. The 19-year-old rookie is the youngest player to score two-plus goals in a playoff game since 1997. Lucas Wallmark picked up primary assists on both of the goals. Svechnikov had a solid regular season with 37 points while averaging fewer than 15 minutes a game. He also had 123 hits and led the team with 62 penalty minutes, so he's a good all-around asset in fantasy hockey.Source: ESPN
Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson Star In Game 1
1 month agoWashington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom and defenseman John Carlson provided the main offensive thrust in Thursday's 4-2 win against the Carolina Hurricanes, combining for five points. Backstrom netted two goals -- one on a power play -- with three shots and Carlson skated away with three assists. He played a part on both of Backstrom's goals and also helped Alex Ovechkin get his 62nd career playoff goal on a power play. It was a bizarre game, as the Caps almost blew a 3-0 lead and they scored four times with just 17 shots on goal. The defending champs need to do better if they want to get the job done quickly in the series.Source: ESPN
Tuukka Rask Lacks Goal Support In Game 1
1 month agoBoston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask failed to get off to a winning start in the playoffs on Thursday with the team losing 4-1 on home ice to Toronto. Rask played a decent game and had 29 saves, but the Bruins could muster only one power-play goal and the luck was on Toronto's side as well, as the Leafs scored the game-winner with a penalty shot. Rask will look to bounce back on Saturday in Game 2. He's generally been a very solid postseason performer throughout his career, so Boston's only worry should revolve around getting more goals. Patrice Bergeron had the lone marker in Game 1.Source: ESPN
Mitchell Marner Scores Twice In Game 1 Victory
1 month agoToronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner scored two goals -- including a penalty shot -- in Thursday's Game 1 victory over the Bruins. John Tavares had a goal and an assist, while William Nylander found the net as well in a 4-1 result. Marner had five shots in total and finished the game with a plus-three rating. Boston took the lead through Patrice Bergeron's power-play goal, but it was Marner who turned things around. His successful penalty shot went down as a short-handed goal 2:47 into the second frame. Marner is the fifth NHL player in history to score a short-handed penalty-shot goal in the postseason. The Leafs hadn't had a penalty-shot goal in the playoffs since 1999.Source: ESPN
David Perron Lights The Lamp In Game 1
1 month agoSt. Louis Blues forward David Perron buried his first marker of the 2019 playoffs in Game 1 on Wednesday, helping his team take an important 2-1 road victory against the Winnipeg Jets. The 30-year-old knotted the game up at 1-1 just 4:05 into the third period, shifting the game's momentum in the process. Having just made an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals with the Vegas Golden Knights last June, Perron brings a wealth of experience (24 points in 58 games) to the Blues this postseason and will be counted on for big goals throughout the team's impending playoff run. A fixture in the Blues top-six forward group, the Quebec native offers great daily fantasy value as he suits up for Game 2 on Friday.Source: NHL.com
Tyler Bozak Deposits Game-Winner
1 month agoSt. Louis Blues center Tyler Bozak scored the go-ahead goal with just 2:05 remaining in the third period to give his team a 2-1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1 on Wednesday night. Signed as an unrestricted free agent this past summer, the 33-year-old was noticeable throughout his Blues playoff debut, registering a plus-one rating, two penalty minutes, a game-high six shots on goal and a hit in 13:04 of ice time in the contest. Game 1 might have only been Bozak's 19th career playoff game, but the 10-year NHL veteran will be relied upon for his strong play in all three zones as the series advances to Game 2 on Friday night.Source: NHL.com
Jordan Binnington Shines In Game 1
1 month agoSt. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington stood tall in net throughout his playoff debut, leading his team to a 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 1. The 25-year-old rookie ended up turning aside 24 of 25 shots faced in the contest, appearing poised in a very loud and intimidating Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg. Binnington is coming off an excellent first NHL season, likely finishing as a Calder Trophy candidate as Rookie of the Year, posting 24 wins, a 1.89 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and five shutouts in 32 starts. The Jets have an incredibly deep forward group, so St. Louis will rely on the former third-round draft selection to perform similarly as the series moves on to Game 2 on Friday evening.Source: NHL.com
Mark Stone's Two Goals Not Enough For Vegas In Game 1
1 month agoVegas Golden Knights right wing Mark Stone got his postseason campaign off to a great start Wednesday night with a two-goal effort, but it didn't lead to victory against the San Jose Sharks, who took Game 1 with a 5-2 result. Marc-Andre Fleury gave up four goals for a third straight start, finishing with 28 saves. Max Pacioretty assisted Stone on both goals, while Paul Stastny and Shea Theodore also picked up a helper. Stone has fit in well with the Knights ever since arriving from Ottawa at the trade deadline, forming a very good understanding with Pacioretty and Stastny. The trio will try to lead the team to a better result in Game 2 on Friday.Source: ESPN
Joe Pavelski Gets Things Started For Sharks With Bizarre Goal
1 month agoSan Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski opened the scoring in the team's first-round matchup against Vegas on Wednesday, bizarrely doing it with his jaw. Brent Burns hit Pavelski in the face with a shot on a power play with 5:18 left in the opening frame, and the puck went in for Pavelski's 45th career playoff goal. Burns was one of five Sharks players to register multiple points in an eventual 5-2 win. Erik Karlsson had two assists, while Burns, Tomas Hertl, Evander Kane and Marc-Edouard Vlasic all recorded a goal and an assist. Pavelski is the sixth-best goal-scorer in the playoffs among active players and he sits 12th in points with 92.Source: ESPN
Pekka Rinne Comes Up Short In Home Playoff Start
1 month agoNashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne allowed three goals on 29 shots in Wednesday's 3-2 home loss against the Dallas Stars in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. Defensemen Roman Josi and P.K. Subban were able to score, but the forwards provided no offensive support. Rinne and the Predators will look to rebound in Game 2 on Saturday night against the Stars, looking to level the series.Source: ESPN
