Last Night's Preseason Performers (Sep 26)

Sunday night was Hockeyville USA, Monday night saw Hockeyville Canada on Prince Edward Island and the good folks of Summerside were there to watch an absolute slaughtering, the Devils thumping the Senators, 8-1.

Cory Schneider only saw 13 shots, stopping 12 in the victory, but it was the Marcus Johansson show, as the newcomer posted a goal and a trio of assists for a 4-point night.  Having 3-point nights for the Devils were Drew Stafford and Pavel Zacha, each posting a pair of goals on their score lines.  Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, Kyle Palmieri and John Quenneville all had 2 point as well, as the Devils were firing on all cylinders on the night.

We might have to start re-thinking our perception on the Devils, if they are going to play like this.

Patrice Bergeron made his preseason debut on Monday night to a goal and an assist and the Bruins big RFA signing recently, David Pastrnak did exactly the same, as Boston topped Chicago, 4-2, in preseason action.  Malcolm Subban, who is battling for a backup spot, played the whole game and made 24 saves for the win, rounding out the Bruins notable players on the night.

The goaltending debate might just rage on in Brooklyn this season, as Thomas Greiss made 25 saves against the second half of a New Jersey split squad, earning a preseason shutout in a 3-0 win.  Trying to take the opponent and the timing into consideration, this is still a pretty good feather in his cap in this preseason and it could be a pretty reasonable split with Jaroslav Halak this season.

Defenseman Johnny Boychuk was also notable on the scoresheet tonight, adding a goal and an assist in the win, letting everyone know that he will be a good add to your hockey pool team this season.

The Rangers needed overtime to finish off the Flyers at home on Monday night, 3-2.  Henrik Lundqvist went the distance for the blueshirts in this one, making 37 saves for the win, showing that he's ready to compete again this season.  Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Buchnevich were the notable offensive players, each coming away with 2 points, McDonagh scoring the overtime winner as well.

For the Flyers, they got a big boost from Travis Sanheim on the back end, as he scored the team's only two goals on the night.  He might have a good shot at a roster spot this year and if he has this kind of touch, he could be a good option late in the draft.

The Maple Leafs kept the Canadiens winless in this preseason with a 5-1 win on Monday night, playing at the Marlies barn yet again.  Frederik Andersen got the nod for the whole game and he had to make 22 saves to get the win last night.  It was a big game for Auston Matthews, who was out to show that there will be no jinx this season, picking up a hat-trick and an assist for a 4-point night.  William Nylander is in the same boat and he was able to tally a goal and an assist as well, helping his cause.

It was a massive night for the Winnipeg Jets' top line on Monday, as they tore through a young Calgary Flames team, beating them, 5-2.  The combination of Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler combined for a total of 12 points, Laine accounting for 5 points of his own, including a pair of goals.  Steve Mason got the call in net for the Jets, making 26 saves for the complete game win.

This was also a pretty good penalty filled affair, with both teams combining for 84 minutes in penalties last night and out of that, we may see a suspension to Jacob Trouba for a match penalty assessed in the 3rd period for a high hit on Marek Hrivik.  Stay tuned.

The Colorado Avalanche continued to roll on Monday night, as they disappointed the Dallas Stars and the full game that Ben Bishop played for them, beating their new number one, 4-2.  Mikko Rantanen was the offensive star in this game, picking up a goal and an assist in the win, trying to curry back some favour from the poolies, ahead of many hockey pool drafts, including this website's draft on Saturday.

It was supposed to be about the new starter for Carolina, Scott Darling, getting a good test for his first full game against a strong Oilers team on Monday night, but the Hurricanes offense ripped through and put six goals up on the board in a 6-2 win, Darling making 19 saves for the win.  Jordan Staal and Janne Kuokkanen were the top two for Carolina on the scoresheet, both coming away with 3 points each, while Teuvo Teravainen tallied a pair of goals as well.

It looks like the Hurricanes are on their way back and a strong showing against an Oilers team with quite a few stars playing is a good sign of that.

In Tuscon, AZ, the Ducks and Coyotes shot out the lights, with the visiting team taking the decision, 6-4.  Nick Ritchie had a 3-point night, while Brandon Montour and Markus Pettersson both tallied 2 points in the win.  It also looks like Ryan Miller went the distance for the Ducks, stopping 21 of 25 shots, in a pretty open-ended game.

Anthony Duclair was the lone bright spot for the Coyotes, as he had a couple of assists in the loss.