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Video: Nichols on CanCon
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Blog: CanCon
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Washington Capitals 4 @ Boston Bruins 1
Goaltending match-up: Jose Theodore (19/20, .950 SV%) vs. Tim Thomas (30/34, .882 SV%)
Net notes: Theodore is on the last year of a contract that eats up $4.5M in cap space per season. Semyon Varlamov is slated to start Saturday’s home opener vs. Toronto. Thomas is starting a four-year deal that is worth an average of $5M per season.
Alexander Ovechkin Nicklas Backstrom Alexander Semin
Brooks Laich Brendan Morrison Mike Knuble
Quintin Laing Dave Steckel Chris Clark
Boyd Kane Boyd Gordon Matt Bradley
Shaone Morrisonn Mike Green
Tom Poti Milan Jurcina
John Erskine Brian Pothier
Milan Lucic Marc Savard Marco Sturm
Blake Wheeler David Krejci Michael Ryder
Mark Recchi Patrice Bergeron Chuck Kobasew
Shawn Thornton Steve Begin Byron Bitz
Zdeno Chara Derek Morris
Andrew Ference Dennis Wideman
Mark Stuart Matt Hunwick
Key notes: We saw the trio last year at times too, but tell me opposing goalies aren’t totally freaked out when they see Nicklas Backstrom (3A, +1, 19:51 TOI, 2:55 PP, 0:18 PK, 3 SOG, 3-5 FO for 38%) flanked by both Alexander Ovechkin (2G, 1A, +2, 2 PIM, 20:14 TOI, 3:12 PP, 0:21 PK, 5 SOG) and Alexander Semin (2A, +1, 18:42 TOI, 2:16 PP, 0:08 PK, 4 SOG) at the same time. They’re each legitimate stars on their own, but together they’re like mixing peanut butter and chocolate. Mmm-mmm good. That line will be the cause of some outrageous therapy bills for netminders around the league…
Brooks Laich (2G, 1A, even, 16:08 TOI, 2:16 PP, 2:18 PK, 5 SOG, 3-2 FO for 60%) took full advantage of his first unit power play time tonight. 24 of his 53 points last season came via the PP. Tom Poti (1A, +2, 21:20 TOI, 0:11 PP, 5:51 PK, 2 SOG) has fallen off the fantasy map since joining the Caps. He was a beast with PK time tonight and in deeper leagues he still might be a decent depth blueliner option.
Top PP times (WAS): Ovechkin (3:12), Green (3:01), Backstrom (2:55), Semin (2:16) and Laich (2:16)
Top PP times (BOS): Savard (5:07), Sturm (5:07), Ryder (4:38), Chara (4:34) and Morris (4:13)
Patrice Bergeron (1G, -1, 17:11 TOI, 2:59 PP, 2:02 PK, 2 SOG, 8-7 FO for 53%) converted a third period SH breakaway opportunity to ruin the shutout attempt. He had 39 points in 64 GP last year, but should be a good bet to return to his pre-’07-8 form this time around now that he’s had a full season to shake off the rust off that lost season. He had one SHG last year and had two in his career before this evening.
Montreal Canadiens 4 @ Toronto Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Carey Price (43/46, .935 SV%) vs. Vesa Toskala (23/27, .852 SV%)
Net notes: Price had a 4-3-0 lifetime mark vs. Toronto coming in with 3.11/ .912 splits. Toskala was 6-3-0-1 vs. the Habs before this one began with 3.27/ .886 peripherals.
Brian Gionta Scott Gomez Max Pacioretty
Michael Cammalleri Tomas Plekanec Andrei Kostitsyn
Matt D’Agostini Maxim Lapierre Guillaume Latendresse
Travis Moen Glen Metropolit Georges Laraque
Andrei Markov Jaroslav Spacek
Paul Mara Ryan O’Byrne
Hal Gill Josh Gorges
Alexei Ponikarovsky Mikhail Grabovski Niklas Hagman
Viktor Stalberg Matt Stajan Jason Blake
Rickard Wallin John Mitchell Lee Stempniak
Jay Rosehill Wayne Primeau Colton Orr
Tomas Kaberle Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin Luke Schenn
Garnet Exelby Ian White
Key notes: Brian Gionta (1G, even, 21:03 TOI, 1:02 PP, 1:03 PK, 2 SOG) had 60 points last season, which was actually his second-highest career total. He had 89 points in ’05-6 and he rang one off the post in the third period. Michael Cammalleri (2A, even, 21:40 TOI, 1:02 PP, no PK, 5 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%), who was another one of the key off-season signings for the Habs, had 82 points in 81 GP last year – including 34 PPP. Tomas Plekanec (2A, +1, 20:33 TOI, 1:42 PP, 1:36 PK, 5 SOG, 7-7 FO for 50%) only had 39 points last year after having recorded 69 the season before.
Andrei Markov (even, 17:42 TOI, 1:21 PP, 1:35 PK, 2 SOG) left this game with an injury. It took Georges Laraque (1A, +1, 5 PIM, 5:26 TOI, no PP, no PK, no SOG) until December 4th to get his first point last season, albeit in only his 13th start. Glen Metropolit (1G, 1A, even, 14:32 TOI, 0:36 PP, 1:39 PK, 1 SOG, 7-6 FO for 54 %) tipped in a PPG in the third stanza. He had 17 points last year with one PPP. Josh Gorges (1G, 1A, +2, 23:32 TOI, 1:19 PP, 1:03 PK, 1 SOG) collected the GWG, which was his first career NHL winner. He had 23 points last season.
Top PP times (MON): Plekanec (1:42), A. Kostitsyn (1:38), Mara (1:27), Markov (1:21) and Gorges (1:19)
Top PP times (TOR): Beauchemin (2:29), Kaberle (2:00), White (1:40) and four with 1:27
Alexei Ponikarovsky (1G, +1, 18:16 TOI, 1:14 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 2-0 FO for 100%) finished last year with 61 points, including 22 in his last 19 starts. Mikhail Grabovksi (1A, +1, 20:14 TOI, 1:14 PP, 0:09 PK, 2 SOG, 1-8 FO for 11%) busted out for 48 points in his first full NHL season last year, including an unheralded 92 PIM in those 78 GP. Niklas Hagman (1A, +1, 19:21 TOI, 0:46 PP, 0:09 PK, 5 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) recorded 42 points in 65 GP last year in his first season with the Leafs and was only called for two minor penalties the whole year. One came in October and one came in February… in case you were wondering.
Viktor Stalberg (1A, even, 19:01 TOI, 0:59 PP, 0:47 PK, 2 SOG) was the darling of the preseason and he showed a good set of hands around the net to earn a key assist in the third period here. This was his first NHL game and point. He was a sixth round pick in 2006. Jason Blake (1A, -1, 20:17 TOI, 1:27 PP, no PK, 4 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) might not make the top half of many points-only teams, but his high SOG total lends itself well to standard leagues as a filler wing slot.
Matt Stajan (2G, even, 19:35 TOI, 1:13 PP, 0:47 PK, 2 SOG, 12-7 FO for 63%) posted 55 points in ’08-9, including 40 helpers. Tomas Kaberle (1A, +1, 27:30 TOI, 2:00 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) was limited to 57 GP last season, which meant his lowest point total (31) since before the lockout. He has been a combined -16 over the past two seasons. This was Francois Beauchemin’s (1A, -2, 27:42 TOI, 2:29 PP, 1:26 PK, 7 SOG) first game with the Leafs after spending the past three seasons with the Ducks.
Vancouver Canucks 3 @ Calgary Flames 5
Goaltending match-up: Roberto Luongo (18/22, .818 SV%) vs. Miikka Kiprusoff (39/42, .929 SV%)
Net notes: Despite recording his lowest post-lockout win total thanks to being limited to 54 starts, Luongo still managed a career-best nine shutouts last year. Kipper has posted at least 39 wins in four straight years.
Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin Alex Burrows
Sergei Shirokov Ryan Kesler Mikael Samuelsson
Mason Raymond Kyle Wellwood Steve Bernier
Darcy Hordichuk Ryan Johnson Rick Rypien
Willie Mitchell Sami Salo
Alexander Edler Kevin Bieksa
Shane O’Brien Christian Ehrhoff
David Moss Olli Jokinen Jarome Iginla
Nigel Dawes Daymond Langkow Rene Bourque
Curtis Glencross Craig Conroy Dustin Boyd
Fredrik Sjostrom Eric Nystrom Brandon Prust
Robyn Regehr Dion Phaneuf
Mark Giordano Jay Bouwmeester
Staffan Kronwall Adam Pardy
Key notes: Hmm. Henrik Sedin (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 19:27 TOI, 2:25 PP, 0:12 PK, 3 SOG, 14-7 FO for 67%) and Daniel Sedin (1A, +1, 17:53 TOI, 2:25 PP, 0:12 PK, 3 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) in on another scoring play together? What are the odds? Alex Burrows (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 17:24 TOI, 0:01 PP, 1:24 PK, 4 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) begins the season alongside the twins, as he spent most of the second half last season. As long as he keeps that slot – or at least a top six slot on this team – he should be a really decent contributor in standard leagues that will appreciate his PIM too.
Mikael Samuelsson (1G, -1, 17:16 TOI, 2:55 PP, 0:37 PK, 4 SOG) skated in his first game for the Canucks since being signed away from the Red Wings over the summer, where he was promised top six ice time. He was generally a third liner on that deep Detroit club.
Kevin Bieksa (1G, -2, 2 PIM, 20:49 TOI, 2:15 PP, 3:04 PK, 1 SOG) has posted some really impressive point/ PIM ratios in his past few seasons, but the real question for his ’09-10 value will revolve around where exactly he fits in once Mathieu Schneider is healthy. Both Alexander Edler (1A, -1, 20:06 TOI, 2:55 PP, 1:53 PK, 4 SOG) and Christian Ehrhoff (1A, -1, 20:48 TOI, 2:55 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) are also going to be fighting for quality offensive time, but with this team’s improved offensive depth the Canucks could have a number of blueliners with pretty decent point totals.
Top PP times (VAN): Edler (2:55), Ehrhoff (2:55), Samuelsson (2:55), Kesler (2:46) and Wellwood (2:46)
Top PP times (CGY): Phaneuf (3:56), Bouwmeester (3:43), Iginla (3:34), Jokinen (3:34) and Moss (3:21)
Dion Phaneuf (1G, even, 23:21 TOI, 3:56 PP, 3:01 PK, 1 SOG) owners were happy to see his ENG go in after last season’s offensive dip, while Jarome Iginla (1A, even, 18:50 TOI, 3:34 PP, no PK, 5 SOG, 2-2 FO for 50%) also added an assist there to start what’ll hopefully be another large campaign for poolies.
Rene Bourque (1G, 1A, even, 2 PIM, 17:06 TOI, 1:23 PP, 1:12 PK, 2 SOG) picked right up where he left off last season, having tallied 21G, 19A in 58 GP. Only one of those points came via the PP. Nigel Dawes (1A, even, 11:03 TOI, 1:36 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has been given a clean slate with a new team this year and his opening L2 assignment gives him a chance to show off the offensive skills he owned in his WHL career. He sniped 47, 47 and 50-goal campaigns for Kootenay back in the day.
Mark Giordano (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 20:07 TOI, 1:22 PP, 0:33 PK, 4 SOG) had 35 points in his 113 NHL starts before this one began. Craig Conroy (1A, +2, 17:03 TOI, 0:08 PP, 2:19 PK, no SOG, 10-12 FO for 45%) hasn’t been too relevant in fantasy leagues for a few years now.
San Jose Sharks 2 @ Colorado Avalanche 5
Goaltending match-up: Evgeni Nabokov (15/20, .750 SV%) vs. Craig Anderson (38/40, .950 SV%)
Net notes: Nabby has won 87 games in his past two seasons. Anderson was 15-7-5 last year and he signed with the Avs over the summer with the intention of becoming this team’s number one goalie after backing up Tomas Vokoun in Florida and spending time in Chicago before that period.
Dany Heatley Joe Thornton Devin Setoguchi
Patrick Marleau Joe Pavelski Ryane Clowe
Jamie McGinn Manny Malhotra Benn Ferriero
Jed Ortmeyer Scott Nichol Jody Shelley
Douglas Murray Dan Boyle
Rob Blake Marc-Edouard Vlasic
Kent Huskins Jason Demers
Wojtek Wolski Paul Stastny Milan Hejduk
Cody McLeod Matt Duchene Marek Svatos
Darcy Tucker T.J. Galiardi Chris Stewart
T.J. Hensick Ryan O’Reilly David Koci
John-Michael Liles Adam Foote
Brett Clark Scott Hannan
Ruslan Salei Kyle Quincey
Key notes: You watch – panic mode is going to set in quickly regarding Dany Heatley (-3, 21:21 TOI, 4:40 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) and Joe Thornton (-1, 19:58 TOI, 3:35 PP, 0:53 PK, 3 SOG, 8-1 FO for 89%). If it does in your league, take advantage. It’s only a matter of time until they go Medieval on the opposition. Heatley missed a wide open net in the third period.
Patrick Marleau (2G, +1, 18:18 TOI, 3:53 PP, 4:19 PK, 2 SOG, 4-2 FO for 67%) may have lost his captaincy, but he sure came out with his guns blazing tonight for poolies. This is a guy who rebounded from a 48-point, -19 performance in ’07-8 to 71 points with a +16 rating last season. Joe Pavelski (2A, +1, 17:36 TOI, 4:58 PP, 2:09 PK, 5 SOG, 7-4 FO for 64%), who jumped from 40 to 59 points, should be able to sustain his upward career trend with the talent inside of this team’s top six.
32 of Dan Boyle’s (1A, -2, 26:35 TOI, 6:29 PP, 4:27 PK, 3 SOG) 57 points in ’08-9 came via the PP.
Top PP times (SJ): Boyle (6:29), Clowe (5:08), Pavelski (4:58), Heatley (4:40) and Blake (4:05)
Top PP times (COL): Liles (6:17), Quincey (5:39), Stastny (4:57), Hejduk (4:48) and Duchene (4:43)
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before… this will be the year Wojtek Wolski (2G, +2, 2 PIM, 19:25 TOI, 2:55 PP, 0:56 PK, 2 SOG) breaks out. Heck, maybe this time he really will. Or not. Ride him for now and see what happens. Paul Stastny (2A, +2, 21:23 TOI, 4:57 PP, 1:30 PK, 3 SOG, 4-13 FO for 24%) and Milan Hejduk (1A, +2, 20:58 TOI, 4:48 PP, 0:23 PK, no SOG) are the guys on which we should be able to count, so if Wolski can capitalize on Ryan Smyth’s trade then all the better for him.
Matt Duchene (1A, -1, 14:51 TOI, 4:43 PP, 0:54 PK, 1 SOG, 3-5 FO for 38%) made his NHL debut and his first of what should be many scoring summary appearances in his career. Ryan O’Reilly (1A, +1, 10:51 TOI, no PP, 2:45 PK, no SOG, 1-3 FO for 25%), who was a really pleasant surprise at camp and earned a spot on the opening night roster, also played his first NHL game here after being a second round pick in the summer’s draft. Cody McLeod (1G, even, 12:05 TOI, no PP, 2:14 PK, 2 SOG) might be an interesting add in those extremely deep leagues if he manages to keep a wing slot alongside Duchene.
John-Michael Liles (1G, 1A, +1, 20:40 TOI, 6:17 PP, 0:54 PK, 2 SOG) had a respectable 39 points last season, but still left many poolies disappointed overall. He should benefit from the addition of Kyle Quincey (1A, +2, 27:02 TOI, 5:39 PP, 5:31 PK, 1 SOG), who was a revelation with Los Angeles last year after losing out in a Detroit numbers game. I just can’t say enough good things about this guy in terms of his on-ice presence. Brett Clark (1A, even, 16:45 TOI, 2:30 PP, 3:29 PK, no SOG) has seen his totals drop from 39 to 21 to 12 over the past three seasons.