A Day in Review August 1st

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August 1st Review

Rangers vs Hurricanes 

Category 3.

The higher seeded Carolina Hurricanes were able to down the Rangers 3-2 with little stress on Saturday.

• Where's the Bread? Artemi Panarin wasn't himself, at least not the Art Ross nominee self. He will have to be the best player on the ice for the Rangers to have a chance in this series. He finished the game with an assist in 20:44 on ice time.

• Finnish Finesse. Sebastian Aho was a force to be reckoned with, playing in all situations. He led on Hurricanes' forwards with 21:33 TOI, recording four shots on net. Aho scored on the powerplay, had an even strength assist and his work on the PK held the Rangers to 0-for-7 with a man up.

• "Unfit to play" was the title given to predicted starter Igor Shesterkin. The young Russian netminder played in the Rangers' lone exhibition game and outplayed Lundqvist and Georgiev this season. His absence could be an ultimate dealbreaker.

Oilers vs Blackhawks

Spoiled.

Connor McDavid's opening goal was quickly forgotten as the Blackhawks buried four goals in the first period, taking the game 6-4. Dominic Kubalik would have a record setting 5 point performance.

• Never count out an underdog. The NHL is one of the most competitive leagues; if you need any proof, take this game as an example. A 12 seed dominated the 5 ranked team.

• The value of experience. Jonathan Toews may be past him prime but the Chicago captain still has it. His two goals in the first help Chicago grab the lead early.

• McDavid's defensive struggles. His powerplay goal early looked promising but the superstar center ended the first period with a -3 rating. He would end the game with a goal and two assists going -2 with 23:21 in TOI.

Panthers vs Islanders

Stranded.

• Penalty Trouble. The Florida Panthers top players don't play on the PK, with eight PIMs, it held the most lethal Panthers off the ice. They will need to give Huberdeau and Barkov as many chances as possible to hit the scoresheet if they want to outscore the Isles.

• Barry Trotz has the ability to make two teams play the way he wants the game to be play. That being his NYI and whoever they are playing forced into a defensive low scoring style of play. Expect more low scoring games decided by one or two goals.

Penguins vs Canadiens

Manchots.

An early 2-0 lead would be enough to hold off the Penguins to overtime. Jeff Perry would ice it six minutes into the extra frame as the Habs took the game 3-2.

• Punch of youth. Nick Suzuki, 20, scored in his first post regular season game. He saw 23:01 in TOI, leading all Habs forwards, and was exceptional on the penalty kill. Jesper Kotkaniemi, also 20, fell victim to the dredded sophmore slump but a stint in the minors appears to have been successful. The young Fin scored the game's opening goal.

• Not done yet. Carey Price may be past his prime but the 32 year old netminder stopped 24 of the first 25 shots faced. He would make 39 saves in the winning effort.

• Slap me silly Sidney. The veteran centre was absent from several on ice sessions over the past week but didn't seem to have lost his step. He buried the Pens' first of two on the night.

Flames vs Jets

Grounded.

After losing star centerman Mark Schiefele, the Jets looked lost without their leading man on offense as the Flames were able to take down Winnipeg 4-1.

• May day. The offensive hole left by Schiefele's injury was evident and the True North boys will have to rely on Eakin and Little more heavily to hold down the middle of the ice.

• Vezina candidate Connor Hellebuyck had a strong start to his playoffs but was hung out to dry in the second period as Calgary tacked on two powerplay goals and another with a man down.

• Taking charge. Flames second line center Mikael Backlund led all forwards in ice time, playing over 20 minutes. He scored an insurance marker and was a big reason the Flames were able to hold the Jets to 0-of-7 on the PP.

Nightly Takeaway:

I'm going to lose a good chunk of money if these upsets continue.

~Brandon Smith, BTH Writers,