In collaboration with Wegs Pool, my co-host, Daulton Cooper aka Coop on the Side Action Podcast, his nickname is DAC when it comes to hockey. DAC is going to provide NHL updates for the benefit of Wegs Pool readers.
Welcome all to the first ever, nightly roundup with DAC. The idea behind this is to give you recaps and thoughts of the games that took place in the league that night. You can expect 1-2 of these a week, most of the time I’ll be flying solo but also may have a guest to discuss games. If you haven’t already please like and subscribe to Between the Benches Podcast on all the social media platforms.
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8 games on the slate tonight let’s dive into the action (missing Blues @ Sharks)
- Canadiens vs Bruins (Boston 6-4)
- Jeremy Swayman did get the start tonight and allowed a goal 8 mins into the first period, and you could sense the game was going to open up from there. Charlie Mcavoy made it 1-1 little less than 3 mins later, Elias Lindholm scored his first goal as a Bruin and the B’s lead 3-2 after the 1st period. The Bruins would go on to win by the final score of (6-4). Some of the standouts: Elias Lindholm had 3 points (1 G 2A) , Cole Koepke added 2 points (1 G 1 A), Pasta had 2 points and 6 shots. Cole Caufield continued his goal streak and young Lane Hutson added 2 apples in the loss.
- Boston outshot Montreal 13-6 in the first and 5-10 in the second.
- Boston next game: Saturday vs LA Kings
- Montreal next game: Saturday vs Ottawa
- Kings vs Sabers (LAK 3-1)
- Graham mentioned Darcy Kuemper on the podcast last night (episode dropped today) having a stellar pre-season and he continued that tonight. Buffalo had 15 shots on the PP and in total. The fact this was even a contest is a testament to Darcy, Buffalo controlled the pace, the faceoff dot, more physical, had more takeaways, and just what the doctor ordered. Buffalo is the youngest team in the NHL and has a lot of room to grow but you can see the potential, as for the Kings the team speed seemed to be an issue keeping up with Buffalo. Their lone goal came from Anze Kopitar 13 seconds into the third period, a roughing call on Jason Zucker turns into a game misconduct, he hit Brandt Clarke was a penalty, probably.. A slashing call turns into a 5 on 3 turns into a Anze Kopitar hat-trick UPL did play better Kopitar had two perfect shots but the offense couldn’t beat Darcy at the other end and the Kings steal a game in Buffalo 3-1.
- Buffalo next game: Saturday vs Florida
- Kings next game: Saturday @ Boston
- Graham mentioned Darcy Kuemper on the podcast last night (episode dropped today) having a stellar pre-season and he continued that tonight. Buffalo had 15 shots on the PP and in total. The fact this was even a contest is a testament to Darcy, Buffalo controlled the pace, the faceoff dot, more physical, had more takeaways, and just what the doctor ordered. Buffalo is the youngest team in the NHL and has a lot of room to grow but you can see the potential, as for the Kings the team speed seemed to be an issue keeping up with Buffalo. Their lone goal came from Anze Kopitar 13 seconds into the third period, a roughing call on Jason Zucker turns into a game misconduct, he hit Brandt Clarke was a penalty, probably.. A slashing call turns into a 5 on 3 turns into a Anze Kopitar hat-trick UPL did play better Kopitar had two perfect shots but the offense couldn’t beat Darcy at the other end and the Kings steal a game in Buffalo 3-1.
- Panthers @ Senators (Tkachuk bowl) (Ottawa 3-1)
- Ladies and Gentlemen the Senators may have a goaltender… and his name is Linus Ullmark, he made 30 of 31 saves against the defending champs who just put 6 on Boston the other night. Tim Stutzle added 2 goals, Shane Pinto pocketed the other and the Senators had 17 shots in the first period. The lone Panthers goal was scored by Gustav Forsling, both Tkachuks had an assist and no fights.
- Panthers next game: Saturday @ Buffalo
- Ottawa next game: Saturday @ Montreal
- Ladies and Gentlemen the Senators may have a goaltender… and his name is Linus Ullmark, he made 30 of 31 saves against the defending champs who just put 6 on Boston the other night. Tim Stutzle added 2 goals, Shane Pinto pocketed the other and the Senators had 17 shots in the first period. The lone Panthers goal was scored by Gustav Forsling, both Tkachuks had an assist and no fights.
- Maple Leafs @ Devils (TOR 4-2)
- Well Jakob Markstrom of old showed up this evening, the devils did out shoot the Maple Leafs 24-22 but was 1 of 5 on the powerplay. This game was won by the shot blocking of the Maple Leafs they tallied 27 blocked shots, that’s 42 in two games in comparison they averaged 16.5 blocked shots all of last year. Dennis Hildeby added 22 saves and John Tavares was the only core 4 member with a point tonight. S/O to Max Pacioretty finding the score sheet for the first time this season. It’s his 8th goal since 2022, injuries playing a big role in that.
- Maple Leafs next game: Saturday vs Pittsburgh
- Devils next game: Saturday @ Washington
- Well Jakob Markstrom of old showed up this evening, the devils did out shoot the Maple Leafs 24-22 but was 1 of 5 on the powerplay. This game was won by the shot blocking of the Maple Leafs they tallied 27 blocked shots, that’s 42 in two games in comparison they averaged 16.5 blocked shots all of last year. Dennis Hildeby added 22 saves and John Tavares was the only core 4 member with a point tonight. S/O to Max Pacioretty finding the score sheet for the first time this season. It’s his 8th goal since 2022, injuries playing a big role in that.
- Utah Hockey Club @ Islanders (UTAH 5-4 OT)
- The Hockey Club is Officially 2-0 will this team ever lose a game? Who knows? This was a back and forth game the whole way. Dylan Guenther is the OT hero, he tailed a goal earlier in the game and now has 4 through 2 games. Clayton Keller,Lawson Crouse, Logan Cooley, Mikhail Sergachev all had multiple point nights. Anthony Duclair had two points along with Noah Dobson, but it wasn’t enough. Sorokin wasn’t in net tonight, Varlamov was lackluster making 21 saves on 26 shots.
- Utah Hockey Club: Saturday @ Rangers
- Islanders next game: Saturday @Dallas
- The Hockey Club is Officially 2-0 will this team ever lose a game? Who knows? This was a back and forth game the whole way. Dylan Guenther is the OT hero, he tailed a goal earlier in the game and now has 4 through 2 games. Clayton Keller,Lawson Crouse, Logan Cooley, Mikhail Sergachev all had multiple point nights. Anthony Duclair had two points along with Noah Dobson, but it wasn’t enough. Sorokin wasn’t in net tonight, Varlamov was lackluster making 21 saves on 26 shots.
- Penguins vs Red Wings (Pens 6-3)
- The Pens bounce back on the second night of a back to back. Detroit got out to a quick 1-0 lead, thanks to Andrew DeBrincat. Pittsburgh would go on to score the next 4 goals and never look back. DeBrincat finished with 3 points for the Red Wings, and they out shot Pittsburgh 32-28. 5 Penguins had multiple points including 2 goals from Anthony Beauvillier, free agent from the Islanders. Crosby, Malkin, Karlsson, and Marcus Pettersson were the other Pens with multiple points. 10 penguins in total registered a point and a great all around game.
- Penguins next game: Saturday @ Toronto
- Red Wings next game: Saturday vs Nashville
- The Pens bounce back on the second night of a back to back. Detroit got out to a quick 1-0 lead, thanks to Andrew DeBrincat. Pittsburgh would go on to score the next 4 goals and never look back. DeBrincat finished with 3 points for the Red Wings, and they out shot Pittsburgh 32-28. 5 Penguins had multiple points including 2 goals from Anthony Beauvillier, free agent from the Islanders. Crosby, Malkin, Karlsson, and Marcus Pettersson were the other Pens with multiple points. 10 penguins in total registered a point and a great all around game.
- Stars vs Predators (Stars 4-3)
- Jusse Jaros was not in net tonight for Nashville, they out shot Dallas 36-20. They were 1-6 on the PP, the game had a total of 10 PP in the game. Nashville was 65% in the face off circle and added 10 takeaways but couldn’t Jake Oettinger making 33 saves. Filip Forsberg had 2 points (1 G 1 A), Jonathon Marchessault also had 2 points (1G 1A) in his first game with Nashville. Mason Marchment had 2 goals for Dallas (side note has the prettiest baby blues). Stankoven added 3 apples and the Stars make an early statement in the Central.
- Predators next game:Saturday @ Detroit
- Stars next game: Saturday vs Islanders
- Jusse Jaros was not in net tonight for Nashville, they out shot Dallas 36-20. They were 1-6 on the PP, the game had a total of 10 PP in the game. Nashville was 65% in the face off circle and added 10 takeaways but couldn’t Jake Oettinger making 33 saves. Filip Forsberg had 2 points (1 G 1 A), Jonathon Marchessault also had 2 points (1G 1A) in his first game with Nashville. Mason Marchment had 2 goals for Dallas (side note has the prettiest baby blues). Stankoven added 3 apples and the Stars make an early statement in the Central.
- Blue Jackets vs Wild (Minnesota 3-2)
- Matt Boldy registered 3 points (1G 2A), Marcus Johansson added 2 apples, and Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves for the Wild. The Wild got out shot by the Blue Jackets 33-26, as a team the Wild registered 10 more blocked shots. The Jackets had Kent Johnson as a bright spot registering 2 points (1G 1A). Merzlikins added 23 saves, ultimately a slow start did the Jackets in.
- Wild next game: Saturday vs Kraken
- Jackets next game: Saturday @ Colorado
- Matt Boldy registered 3 points (1G 2A), Marcus Johansson added 2 apples, and Filip Gustavsson made 31 saves for the Wild. The Wild got out shot by the Blue Jackets 33-26, as a team the Wild registered 10 more blocked shots. The Jackets had Kent Johnson as a bright spot registering 2 points (1G 1A). Merzlikins added 23 saves, ultimately a slow start did the Jackets in.
Until next time,
DAC