Last Night's Preseason Performers (Sep 27)

Considering where the Red Wings are in their rebuild, they haven't done a bad job in the preseason, earning another win over the Bruins on Wednesday night.  Jonathan Bernier made 21 saves in the 3-2 overtime victory, as he tries to usurp the starting job in Detroit.  Gustav Nyquist had a goal and an assist in the win, as he looks to get back into form, and Tyler Bertuzzi added a couple of assists as well.

There was more overtime in the Big Apple last night, as the Islanders and the Rangers went to extra time in another one of their crosstown battles.  The Islanders ran away like bandits with a 4-3 win, with Robin Lehner making 21 saves as well for his victory.  Ryan Pulock had a pair of goals, Anthony Beauvillier went one and one and then Josh Bailey, Mathew Barzal and Valtteri Filppula all had a pair of assists in the victory, guiding the way for the new-look Islanders.

The Rangers had a couple of big nights, which were not quite big enough, from Mika Zibanejad and Pavel Buchnevich, each of them on all three of the goals for the home side, but it just wasn't enough.

The Pittsburgh Penguins took full advantage of a Buffalo Sabres roster that was still ironing out some of their bubble players on Wednesday night, defeating that group, 5-1.  Phil Kessel was the only notable skater in this one, opening the scoring with a pair of goals and then the rest of the team piled on.  Matt Murray also had to make 21 saves on the night for the victory.  The Penguins appear to be pretty close to their final roster now, the lineup they had last night could be very close to what we'll see on opening night.

I am beginning to wonder if the Maple Leafs and Canadiens are tired of each other from this preseason yet.  Frederik Andersen got the call for the Leafs and he had to withstand quite the barrage, stopping 33 to earn the win in the 5-3 Toronto victory on Wednesday night.  He'll reportedly get one more start in this preseason before it is all said and done.  Mitch Marner had a big night, picking up a goal and 3 assists, while Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist in the win.

Brendan Gallagher and Victor Mete were also notable on Montreal's side, both coming away with 2 points in the loss.

Ryan Suter returned from his ankle rehab on Wednesday night, playing in his first preseason game for the Wild, as they hosted the Jets.  His return must have sparked something, as his side was good enough for a 4-3 win over their division rivals from up north.  Devan Dubnyk made 27 saves for the full game win, while Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund each walked away with 2 points each on the scoresheet.  If Suter and Zach Parise can stay healthy, for once, the Wild could be a very dangerous team this season.

Dustin Byfuglien appears to be in fine form already, registering a goal and an assist in the loss, also picking up a minor penalty on top of it all too.

The Colorado Avalanche welcomed defenseman Nikita Zadorov back to their lineup on Wednesday night, as he made his preseason debut against the Stars.  Unfortunately, he really didn't help, registering a penalty and a -1 rating on the night in a 3-1 loss.

Julius Honka, the Dallas sophomore defenseman, had the big night on the scoresheet, picking up a goal and an assist in the win.  Ben Bishop made 21 saves for the win, as he warms his way into the regular season.

It was a shootout in Anaheim, as the Ducks were out to prove that they didn't need the likes of Corey Perry around to generate a lot of offense, after word of his long-term injury, so they put up a 7-spot in his absence, defeating the Kings, 7-4 on Wednesday night.  Adam Henrique and rookie Maxime Comtois each had 2 goals and an assist in the win, while Jakub Silfverberg had a goal and 2 assists to keep pace.  Defenseman Cam Fowler had a couple of assists and Ryan Miller only had to make 18 saves for the victory on the night.

For the Kings, forward Michael Amadio had a couple of assists to lead the way for the visitors, with his spot looking more and more certain now.