DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 02/28/22

Nick Szeman
Nick Szeman
DailyFaceoff Morning Report — 02/28/22

The DailyFaceoff 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.

Jets come from behind to avoid devastating loss

The Winnipeg Jets were trailing 3-2 at the second intermission against the last-place Arizona Coyotes but scored three goals in the third period, including two from Kyle Connor, to snap a four-game losing streak (0-3-1). Connor tied for the league-lead in shots on goal (232) and with 32 goals, is on pace to shatter his previous career-high of 38.

Barrett Hayton scored a stunning end-to-end goal for the Coyotes in the second period.

Canucks win third straight; three points out of Wild Card

The Vancouver Canucks took a 4-0 lead over the New York Rangers en route to winning 5-2. JT Miller recorded two assists and is on an absolute tear of late, with 15 points (5G / 10A) over his last eight games.

Alexander Georgiev allowed four goals on 33 shots in the loss and has now allowed four goals or more in each of his last three starts. In comparison, Rangers’ starting goalie Igor Shesterkin has four-plus goals in just three games all season. The Rangers have scored two goals or fewer in five of their last six games (3-2-1). The Boston Bruins are the only playoff team in the Eastern Conference to have scored fewer goals than the Rangers this season.

Pair of struggling Blues lead the way

Jordan Binnington followed up his first quality start in over a month earlier in the week with a 4-0, 30-save shutout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks. Binnington has allowed only one goal in his last two games and saved 55 of 56 shots after having a .824 SV% and 6.91 GAA across his three prior starts. It was Binnington’s second shutout of the season, both against the Blackhawks. It was the sixth time the Blackhawks have been shut out this season.

David Perron had only scored once in his last 16 games and had 25 points (9G / 16A) in 38 games on the season, his lowest point pace in over five years. On Sunday, he was determined to flip the script — firing a season-high eight shots on goal, and scoring twice.

Oettinger continues to shine

Jake Oettinger stopped 38 of the 40 shots he faced in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres. Oettinger has now started six consecutive games for the Dallas Stars and allowed two goals or fewer in each of them. With the win, the Stars moved into sole possession of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and it is becoming more evident that Oettinger is the goalie they trust to help them secure a playoff berth.

Oilers only allow two goals but Hurricanes win fifth straight

Mike Smith saved 27 of 29 shots for the Edmonton Oilers but it wasn’t enough as the Carolina Hurricanes won their fifth straight game. It was the first time the Oilers have lost this season while holding their opponent to two goals or fewer (18-1-0). Connor McDavid was held off the scoresheet for the 12th time in 52 games this season but is still tied for the league-lead with 75 points (28G / 47A), albeit a far cry from his 105 points (33G / 72A) in 56 games last season.

Teuvo Teravainen had a goal and an assist and now has 11 points (4G / 7A) over an eight-game point streak. The Hurricanes’ top line of Teravainen-Aho-Svechnikov has been on fire since being reunited and had their way with the Oilers’ defence on Sunday.

Crosby wins it late

Elvis Merzlinkins returned to the crease for the Columbus Blue Jackets after missing four games with a lower-body injury. He made 37 saves on 40 shots but couldn’t hold off the Pittsburgh Penguins as Sidney Crosby scored a goal, that was unsuccessfully challenged, with under three minutes remaining to defeat the Blue Jackets 3-2.

The Blue Jackets have now scored two goals combined over their last two games (0-2-0) after scoring 24 in their four previous games (4-0-0).

Islander defeat Ducks 4-0

Ilya Sorokin made 34 saves to record his fifth shutout of the season, the second-most in the league. Sorokin and Marc-Andre Fleury (four shutouts) are the only goalies in the league on non-playoff teams that have posted more than two shutouts this season.

Other News and Notes

Injury Report

  • John Gibson (ANA) missed Sunday’s game with a non-COVID-related illness.
  • Mathew Barzal (NYI) and Zdeno Chara were held out of the lineup with lower-body and upper-body injuries.
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