BY KYLE MYERS – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
Each week I take a look at a few players in the NHL who are performing way above expectations, and some that are laying eggs night in and night out. These are four of the hottest and coldest players in the NHL right now.
The Good:
1. Nazem Kadri: Kadri has been proving his critics wrong all season long, but this past week has been particularly good to the young Maple Leaf. Kadri netted his first hat-trick of the season this past week against the New York Islanders, and added a couple of points on Monday night, moving his total for the season to 24, best on the Leafs. Kadri has been extremely productive while playing moderate minutes this season, and is starting to live up to the hype that came with being a seventh overall pick.
2. Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty was on fire last week. Pacioretty scored four goals and seven points in four games, during which the Canadiens did not lose in regulation. Montreal has been a surprise this season, leading the Eastern Conference with 32 points through 23 games, and Pacioretty leads the team with 20 points.
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3. Jeff Carter: Carter is making up for a slow start to the season by turning up his offensive contributions lately. The LA Kings are on a hell of run, winning seven of their last eight, and Carter has scored at least one goal in each win on that streak. Carter capped off a nice run of games with a hat-trick on Sunday and another goal on Monday, and now has 15 goals on the season, including nine goals in his last eight games.
4. Jimmy Howard: Detroit’s recent record may not show it, but Howard is on a pretty nice run right now. In his past three starts the Wings are 1-1-1, but during that stretch Howie hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game, and has a save percentage of .959. Howard hasn’t gotten the best goal support in the past few games, but he’s been consistent between the pipes, and made some spectacular stops against Colorado on Tuesday.
The Cold:
1. Johan Hedberg: No one expected the Devils to go on a winning streak after Martin Brodeur went to the IR, but Johan Hedberg has been terrible as the temporary replacement. Hedberg is 0-5-1 since assuming the starter’s role, with a GAA of almost 4.00 and a save percentage under .900. The Devils are reeling right now without Brodeur, and they could see their season slip away if Hedberg’s play doesn’t improve.
2. Mathieu Garon/Anders Lindback: The Tampa Bay Lightning are really struggling this season, and their goaltending has been a cause for concern. Neither goaltender is playing well right now, and they’re a big reason why the Lightning are currently on a five game losing streak. The Lightning haven’t won since February 23rd, and are giving up around three goals a game in their current slump. Tampa has plenty of problems contributing to their current poor run, but much of the responsibility must fall onto the goaltending
3. Thomas Vanek: After a blazing start to the season, Vanek has fallen back to Earth in a big way. Vanek only has five points and a minus-two rating in his last 10 games, during which the Sabres have a 3-7 record. He’s still well over a point per game average for the season, but Vanek has cooled down considerably from the pace he set at the beginning of the season.
4. Pekka Rinne: Rinne is considered one of the NHL’s elite goaltenders, but he hasn’t been living up to expectations as of late. In his last five games Rinne has a GAA over 4.00, and a save percentage of .838, with four losses in that stretch. Nashville is in the middle of the playoff hunt in the Western Conference, and they’ll need better play from their number one net minder to get them into postseason.