Last Night's Preseason Performers (Sep 30)

The Columbus Blue Jackets had a few of their key players going against Nashville at home on Thursday night, winning the game, 3-2 in overtime.  Brandon Dubinsky had a goal and an assist, while Cam Atkinson had a pair of assists to lead the way.

Rookie defenseman Zach Werenski drew in for his first preseason game, coming off a minor lower-body injury.  He's still one to watch this season.

New York off-season pick-up Brandon Pirri was the big star in the game between the Devils and the Rangers, picking up 3 points in the 3-1 win.  NCAA free agent defenseman John Gilmour was also good, picking up a pair of assists in the win as well.  The Rangers could use some new blood in their lineup, might give them a good boost going forward.

Mike Hoffman scored a pair of goals, including the overtime winner, while Bobby Ryan had a goal and an assist, as the Ottawa Senators got the best of the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.  The Senators were the best Canadian club in the standings last season and they'll need their best players to excel again this year, if they are going to make any sort of push towards the playoffs.

On the plus side for Montreal, top prospect defenseman Mikhail Sergachev was able to make his preseason debut for the team, but was a -1 in his first game. The 9th overall pick this past June isn't pegged to make an impact this year, but certainly should down the road.

Kristers Gudlevskis made 21 saves for a 2-0 win in Tampa Bay, in a cross-state preseason game between his Lightning and the Panthers on Thursday night.  Currently pegged as the third goalie, he'll get his time in the big leagues soon enough, with the certain possibility that Ben Bishop will be moved at some point in the coming year.  Forward Jeremy Morin was the best of the skaters, picking up a goal and an assist in the win as well.

The Winnipeg Jets got a full effort from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck on Thursday night, at home to the Wild, beating them 4-1, thanks to 27 saves in his net.  The Jets goaltending situation comes in rather contentious and will be a good battle through camp.  Forwards Mathieu Perreault and Chase De Leo and defenseman Josh Morrissey all came away with 2 points each in the win as well.