Last Night's Preseason Performers (Sep 18)

The Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers opened up an afternoon/evening doubleheader in Sunshine on Monday, a 1pm MT start for the afternoon game and it was the Predators who came out to play in this one, taking the contest, 5-0, in convincing fashion.

The scoring was well spread through the lineup with only one player picking up 2 points in this one, undrafted Czech defenseman Filip Pyrochta had a goal and an assist in this one, his goal of the shorthanded variety as well.  The blueline in Nashville is probably one of the hardest spots around the league to crack heading into training camps this year, but a couple points makes a good case early on.

The Buffalo Sabres went into Columbus and made the most of their visit against the Blue Jackets, topping the hosts, 4-1.  Youngsters Alexander Nylander and Tage Thompson were the notable players in this one, each picking up a pair of assists in the victory.  Nylander continues to look for a spot on the roster for the Sabres, while Thompson came over from the St. Louis Blues in the Ryan O'Reilly deal, also looking for more of a full-time roster spot.  Both certainly have excellent shots at it, so keep an eye on them.

Kevin Fiala, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen dismantled the Florida Panthers in the second half of the doubleheader, as they combined for 12 points, the only points by forwards, in Nashville's 5-3 win.  Fiala had a goal and 4 assists, Forsberg had a hat-trick and an assist and Johansen was one and two in this one, a very productive game from this team's top line.  This bodes very well for a team that already has a stellar blueline and goaltender.

The Rangers and Devils engaged in their first preseason game each and it looked like it was a good one, as the Rangers came away with a 4-3 overtime win.

For the winning side, it was rookie forward Lias Andersson scoring a pair of goals, including a shorthanded beauty, while Pavel Buchnevich and Kevin Hayes walked out with 2 points each as well.

The Devils had representation of their own in the loss, with Nick Lappin scoring a pair of goals and rookie defenseman Ty Smith picking up a pair of assists in the loss.

Andersson has to be a strong candidate for a hockey pool spot this year for the Rangers, while Smith is a good bubble defender for the Devils, but he could end up being a 9-game tryout before heading back to junior as well.

The big guns were out for the Flyers and they were notching some points tonight against the Islanders.  Most notably it was Shayne Gostisbehere scoring a pair of power play goals, while Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek were dishing it out, picking up a pair assists each in the 3-1 win in front of the home crowd.  I don't think we have to ask many questions about this trio, they'll be popular guys, come draft day.

There wasn't a whole lot happening in Winnipeg with the Wild in town, as the two sides battled to a 2-1 decision for the home side on Monday night. The only notable player came from the home side, as the audition for backup goalie started with Laurent Brossoit, who played the entire game, made 39 saves and earned the victory all to himself.  That's not a bad way to endear yourself to the coaching staff and management, I'd say.  He was the favourite going in and I'd say he's done well to help cement his spot.

The Calgary Flames may have had most of their big names over in China, but the first of two squads left behind still put up some goals.  They did, ultimately, get thumped, 7-4, by their provincial rivals from Edmonton, but I would say it was a positive showing, considering.

The winning side first... the Oilers were led by rookie forward Kailer Yamamoto, who had a pair of goals and an assist in the victory, while Alex Chiasson, Tyler Benson, Ryan McLeod and Kevin Gravel all nailed down 2 points a piece.  Yamamoto, Benson and McLeod are all of the rookie variety, slugging it out for some bubble spots and they all made the right impression.

On the Flames side, rookie forward Dillon Dube picked up a hat-trick in the loss, even spotting the Flames a 3-2 lead with his hat-trick goal.  PTO recipient Buddy Robinson picked up a couple of assists, but I don't think I would be counting on many of the tryouts to earn spots in Calgary this year.