We were blessed with two Game 1s in the NHL last night. Well, maybe not necessarily “blessed.” I’ll get to the late game in a moment, but the early game last night was a dominant performance by the Carolina Hurricanes. After a long series against the veteran Rangers, the young Devils looked like they needed a night off — and took one, with a game that mattered happening. Carolina skated away with a fairly easy 5-1 win.
Here’s what’s up tonight, with the Panthers and Kraken looking to take a 2-0 series lead:
The late game last night saw a remarkable, four-goal performance from Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl — in a loss! For the second straight night, a player scored four goals and his team lost (Joe Pavelski did it for Dallas on Tuesday). Mark Stone, who’s had multiple back surgeries since last season, continues to be a force in the playoffs.
I ran this poll on Twitter yesterday and I must say, the results are fascinating. Carlsson won the vote, but not by much. And Smith has made himself a relevant name in the conversation for No. 4 overall because of his dominant performance at the U18 World Championship.
Unfortunately, last night’s IceHogs game in Texas went about as well as the first two games in the series. The Stars swept the best-of-five series and Rockford’s postseason has come to an end. So much for the deep playoff experience for some of the young guys on the IceHogs’ roster.
Prospect Samuel Savoie and the Gatineau Olympiques saw their postseason come to an end last night as well. And yes, that’s Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy in the handshake photo below. Savoie finished his postseason with two goals and six assists in 13 games after posting 59 points in 60 regular-season games.
However, defenseman Ethan Del Mastro and Sarnia were able to pull even with the London Knights in their OHL series last night with a big 6-3 win.
The NHL announced the three finalists for the Calder Memorial Trophy last night. Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner probably would have preferred to celebrate with a better performance in Vegas. He’s joined by Seattle forward Matty Beniers and Buffalo defenseman Owen Power.
Which brings me to the University of Michigan, which is one helluva heater right now. Adam Fantilli, the likely No. 2 overall pick this summer, won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA this season.
Power and Beniers went 1-2 in the 2021 NHL Draft, and both returned to Michigan for a season after they were the top two picks; the Wolverines also had the Nos. 4 (Luke Hughes) and 5 (Kent Johnson) in that draft class. Luke has already signed with the Devils, where he’ll play with his brother Jack — the one Hughes brother who didn’t play at Michigan (he might have if he wasn’t the No. 1 overall pick in 2019). The third Hughes brother, defenseman Quinn, played at Michigan as well. Hail to the Victors!
Part of me does wonder if Fantilli will follow Power’s lead and go back to UM for a sophomore year if the situation is right with the NHL team that drafts him… but I acknowledge the chances of that are slim. He’s ready for the NHL, and I would love to have him in Chicago. But the thought of him getting a full season of run with Frank Nazar before getting to the Blackhawks is exciting to dream about.
Finally, while we’re dreaming about prospects making their debuts, the Cubs will have Miguel Amaya in the lineup today!
NEWSLETTER
