Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/18/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
Apr 18, 2022, 02:14 EDT
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 04/18/22

The Daily Faceoff Morning Report will be released on weekdays, recapping the key news and events from the day before.

We will highlight injuries that will affect today’s games, hot streaks, cold streaks, and anything relevant for everyone from the casual hockey fan to the Fantasy Hockey grinder.

Wild clinch playoff spot

With a 5-4 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks, the Minnesota Wild ensured they will be in the Stanley Cup playoffs for the second consecutive season. The Wild were led by the red-hot line of Kevin Fiala (LW, RW), Frederick Gaudreau (C), and Matt Boldy (LW, RW). Fiala had four points (1G / 3A) to give him 12 points (6G / 6A) during a six-game point streak. Gaudreau had a three-point game (0G / 3A) for the second time in his last three contests to give him eight points (3G / 5A) in his last four games. Boldy had two points (1G / 1A) to continue his tremendous rookie season and give him 10 points (2G / 8A) during a seven-game point streak. The Wild have allowed 10 goals in their last two games (1-0-1) but are still 13-1-3 in their last 17 outings. The Sharks have lost 10 straight games (0-6-4) and have scored more than two goals only three times in that span.

Blues score eight, win eighth straight

Jordan Binnington (G) saved 33 of 36 shots in an 8-3 win for the St. Louis Blues over the Nashville Predators. With the playoffs fast approaching, Binnington has a .943 SV% in his last three games (3-0-0), complementing Ville Husso (G), who has a .926 SV% in his last nine games (8-0-1). Vladimir Tarasenko (RW) had a three-point game (1G / 2A) to extend his point streak to six games (8G / 7A / 15PTS). Tarasenko set a new career-high with 76 points (33G / 43A) in 69 games, passing his 75-point season (39G / 36A) in 2016-17. The Predators have lost four of their last six games (2-3-1) as they approach a season-deciding stretch to end the season. They are currently tied with the Dallas Stars with 91 points but take the second Wild Card position because they have played one fewer game. With only six games remaining this season, Nashville will be put to the ultimate test with only one of those games being against a non-playoff team.

Panthers win 10th straight

The Florida Panthers added to their league-leading goal totals by defeating the Detroit Red Wings 6-1. The Panthers have scored six or more goals four times in their last 10 games (10-0-0) and 17 times in 75 games this season. Florida is now only two points behind the Colorado Avalanche (116 PTS) for most points in the league, with both teams having seven games remaining this season. Sam Reinhart (C, RW) had two points (1G / 1A), adding to his career-best point totals (28G / 48A / 76PTS) and giving him 11 points (4G / 7A) during a six-game point streak. Reinhart has an 82-game point pace of 87 points, crushing his previous best pace of 65 points. Gustav Forsling (D) scored for the second consecutive game for the Panthers and has 10 points (7G / 3A) in his last nine games.

No Matthews, no problem

The New York Islanders’ improbable late-season run for a playoff spot came to an end on Sunday as they were officially eliminated from playoff contention in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. After a horrendous 5-10-5 start to the season, including an 11-game losing streak (0-8-3), the Islanders have produced the 13th best point total (64 PTS) with a 30-21-4 record since mid-December. Auston Matthews (C) missed the game for the Maple Leafs with a minor injury and is considered day-to-day but linemate Mitch Marner (RW) had no problem continuing his scoring ways in his absence. Marner scored his career-best 34th goal of the season and tied his career-high with 94 points (34G / 60A). He has 32 points (11G / 21A) in his last 17 games. Michael Bunting (LW) recorded two assists to give him 12 points (3G / 9A) in his last nine games. Jack Campbell (G) saved 27 of 29 shots for only his second quality start in his last seven games, despite an impressive 6-0-1 record over that span. With the victory, the Maple Leafs set a franchise record with their 50th win of the season.

Sabres’ young-guns lead the way

The Buffalo Sabres won 5-3 on Sunday, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers for the second consecutive night. Tage Thompson (C, LW, RW) scored two goals to give him 36 on the season and has 21 points (13G / 8A) in his last 19 games. Thompson will be hard-pressed to reach 40 goals with only four games remaining for the Sabres but could stand to be only the third Sabres player to reach the milestone in the last 23 years (Jeff Skinner, Thomas Vanek). Victor Olofsson (LW, RW) also scored two goals for the Sabres and has picked things up of late with 14 points (8G / 6A) in his last 12 games. Rasmus Dahlin (D) had two assists to give him 50 points (11G / 39A) for the first time in his career and is tied for 12th with most points by a defenseman this season.

Injury Report

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