NHL Review April 17, 2021
GOLDEN KNIGHTS JOIN AVALANCHE AS SECOND TEAM WITH 30 VICTORIES
Mark Stone (0-2—2) recorded his third straight multi-point game in the Golden Knights 4-0 win over the Anaheim Ducks, one shy of his career high, as Vegas (30-11-2, 62 points) joined idle Colorado (30-9-4, 64 points) as the second team to earn 30 victories this season. The Golden Knights required the fewest games in franchise history to collect 30 wins (43 GP), besting the previous mark established in their inaugural season (44 GP in 2017-18).
SWAYMAN POSTS FIRST NHL SHUTOUT IN BRUINS WIN
Jeremy Swayman (25 saves), a native of Anchorage, Alaska, earned his first career shutout and helped the Bruins (24-12-6, 54 points) open up a six-point cushion on the idle Rangers (21-16-6, 48 points) for fourth place in the MassMutual East Division. Boston’s fourth-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft (No. 111) became the ninth different rookie goaltender to blank an opponent this season – only three campaigns in NHL history have seen more accomplish the feat.
TOFFOLI HELPS CANADIENS REGAIN EDGE OVER FLAMES IN SCOTIA NORTH
Tyler Toffoli (2-0—2) reached the 20-goal mark for the fifth time in his career as the Montreal Canadiens earned a split in its two-game set with Calgary. The fourth-place Canadiens (19-13-9, 47 points) regained their six-point cushion over the fifth-place Flames (19-22-3, 41 points) after the latter earned a regulation win on April 14. The two clubs are scheduled to complete their season series with a three-game stretch from April 23-26.
Toffoli required the fewest games of his career to score 20 goals in a season (38 GP) and among players skating in their first season with the Canadiens, he became the 10th to reach the mark prior to his 40th contest.
BONINO LEADS WILD TO 16TH WIN AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER THIS SEASON
Nick Bonino (1-1—2) recorded his second straight multi-point game as Minnesota (26-13-3, 55 points) maintained its third-place positioning in the Honda West Division. The Wild earned their 16th home win this season, propelled by a franchise-record 11-game win streak from Jan. 31 – March 25, and trail only the Islanders (18) and Avalanche (18) for the most in 2020-21.
McDAVID EYES 70TH POINT IN RETURN TO ACTION
An 11-game Saturday is set to feature Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (23-46—69 in 42 GP) and Leon Draisaitl (22-39—61 in 42 GP) square off against Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor (21-22—43 in 44 GP) and Nikolaj Ehlers (20-25—45 in 44 GP) on Hockey Night in Canada. The Oilers and Jets are the only two teams with multiple 20-goal scorers this season.
With a point against Winnipeg, McDavid can become the first player to reach the 70-point mark this season. Among campaigns in which clubs contested a schedule of 56 games or fewer, Edmonton’s captain can become just the third player to collect 70 points after Eric Lindros (70 in 46 GP w/ PHI) and Jaromir Jagr (70 in 48 GP w/ PIT) both did so in 1994-95.
OVECHKIN LOOKS TO CLIMB TWO ALL-TIME LISTS
Alex Ovechkin (729) enters today’s contest against the Flyers three goals shy of tying Marcel Dionne (731) for fifth place on the NHL’s all-time list. Should the Capitals captain net a hat trick against Philadelphia, he can also become just the sixth player in League history to score 800 goals in the regular-season and playoffs combined.
MANTHA, HEDMAN LOOK TO CONTINUE SUCCESS IN DISCOVER CENTRAL MATCHES
Anthony Mantha has a goal in each of his first two games since being acquired by Washington on April 12. Should he find the back of the net again, Mantha can become the fourth player to begin his Capitals tenure with a three-game goal streak. Sergei Berezin (2002-03), Peter Zezel (1990-91) and Guy Charron (1976-77) all did so.
Victor Hedman (113-399—512 in 805 GP) is one assist shy of becoming the fourth player in Lightning history to record 400 career assists, joining Martin St. Louis (588), Vincent Lecavalier (491) and Steven Stamkos (427). Only nine active defensemen have accomplished the feat, including Washington’s John Carlson on April 13.