Congra: Matthews Returns, Kucherov Out, Two Trades on Saturday

in both games. The Avalanche play back-to-backs again next weekend, so expect to see Wedgewood in the Colorado net by then.

 

Also because of the timing of the trade, Juuse Saros had to play back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday, allowing three goals on 28 shots and losing in overtime in both. Saros has not picked up a win or quality start in his last four games. After winning 35 games last season, Saros is on pace for just 24 wins this season.

 

 

David Jiricek, who had been rumored to be on the trade block, was moved to Minnesota on Saturday for Daemon Hunt and draft picks. I also wrote about this trade in a Fantasy Take here.

 

Something not covered in the Fantasy Take: Jared Spurgeon has logged more power-play time than Brock Faber over the past two games, including Saturday. I’m not sure if that means Spurgeon is now on PP1 for the Wild, but he has been bringing the offense recently. Spurgeon scored the overtime winner and added a power-play assist on Saturday, which followed his two-goal effort on Friday. Spurgeon is now 35 years old, but he is also the Wild captain and is under contract for two more seasons after this one. He will be part of a very strong right side that will include Faber and should eventually include Jiricek.

 

 

Recently acquired by the Penguins, Philip Tomasino now has goals in back-to-back games. He has also averaged 11 shots over those two games, making an impact. It’s early, but perhaps a change of scenery will help. The Penguins could also use better secondary scoring, and he should help in that area.

 

Michael Bunting and Kris Letang each scored a goal with two assists in the Pens’ 6-2 win over Calgary. Letang took eight shots in this game, while Bunting took six. The Penguins haven’t had an enjoyable season, and both players have produced below expectations. Yet the Penguins have now won three games in a row, so perhaps things will start to turn around for both players.

 

 

There are all kinds of Capitals that I could write about each time they play, so I have written about their main scorers multiple times by now. Today I’ll focus on the defense, so please don’t @ me if I missed your player. I have a maximum word count that I try to stick to. Plus writing about the same players eventually becomes tedious, and I like to mix things up a bit. Bringing this back to the Capitals, that’s how effective they’ve been this season.

 

John Carlson assisted on three goals while taking five shots in their 6-5 win over Jersey. Carlson has now picked up five points over his last three games. His production has gradually slowed over the past few years, but he has rebounded a bit (19 PTS in 24 GP) with the Capitals’ resurgence.

 

Jakob Chychrun scored a power-play goal, giving him seven points over his last four games. Chychrun also has power-play points in four consecutive games. His eight goals ties him for the league lead, and he’s reached that total in fewer games than Zach Werenski and Cale Makar.

 

 

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