NHL LEADS AND SHAKE-UPS

What The Puck?!

Written by Chase Howard

1st Branch

Flames

The Calgary Flames are 4-5-1 in their last ten games, continuing their struggle to find any consistency this season. Flames GM Brad Treliving knows this saying Thursday "If you had an identity for our team, we're an inconsistent team". Take, for example, their three-game series in Ottawa this past week. First game Flames lose 6-1. Second game Flames win 6-3; before losing again, this time 5-1. Overall the Flames lost two of the three games and were outscored 14-8. Highlighting this, Treliving said, "You're not going to have your 'A' game every night. Good teams have a good 'B' game where they can have success some nights. Our problem is we've got an 'A' game and a 'D' game". The Flames need to make changes now to avoid their season going down in flames (sorry). Their tendency for allowing first-period goals (4th worst) and lack of offence output (27th in goals per game) is a good place to start.

The Flames have already gotten to work; Head Coach Geoff Ward was promptly fired on Thursday and replaced even faster by former Flames Coach Daryl Sutter. Sutter coached the Flames from 2002-06, also serving as General Manager for 2003-10. Sutter hasn't coached since 2017, his last of six seasons with the Los Angles Kings, during which they won two cups (2012,2014). Sutter is known for a demanding hard-nosed style; hopefully, he can turn this season around before it's too late.

Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury (29) blocks Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon (46) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Las Vegas; Source: TwinCities | Photo from AP Photo/John Locher

Coaching Change

2nd Branch

Fleury

Marc-Andre Fleury of the Vegas Golden Knights is a well-known name in the NHL, but his recent history is full of surprises. As many of you may recall, Fleury only appeared in four of the twenty Knights playoff games last year, leading to a summer of rumours, regrets and ridiculousness; see Fleury's agent posting a picture of Fleury impaled by a sword with Deboer written on it comes to mind. Despite this, Head Coach Peter Deboer and Fleury seemingly got over it. Even with persistent rumours throughout the offseason, no trade ever materialized. Now looking at this season and he's one of the top contenders for the Vezina Trophy, the award for the NHL's best goaltender.

The Quebec native is 2nd in goals against (at least ten games), 2nd in save % with 9.39, and 2nd in GAA (goals-against average) with a 1.71 (least ten games). If that is not enough, Fleury is also third in wins with 11 and tied for first in shutouts with 3. Maybe it's time for a legend that has won three cups and sits fifth all-time in goalie wins to finally capture a Vezina, however, the competition is surprisingly stiff.

3rd Branch

Vasilevsky and the Lightning

Speaking of the competition Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning may be the main challenger if not the frontrunner. The 2018-19 Vezina winner sits first in multiple categories, including save percentage (9.42), goals-against average (1.65) and goalie point shares (4.6) and recently made history. Vasilevskiy had not let in a goal in three straight games lasting until Thursday night's second period, making 108 saves in over 11 periods, amounting to a shutout streak of 228:09. This broke the Lighting record of 202:46 set by John Graeme in 2005-06. Need more evidence? Brian Boucher, the man who holds the modern-era NHL records for most consecutive shutouts (five) and longest streak without allowing a goal (332:01), set from Dec. 22, 2003, through Jan. 11, 2004, had something to say about Vasilevskiy:

"You can give him the first, second and third (place) votes for the Vezina. Just from a pure talent standpoint. He is the best goalie in the League"

The rest of the Lightning are not too shabby themselves as a team. They sit second in points (33) and lead in the league in goal differential at +33. After pulling out a tough one in overtime against the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2, thanks to a buzzer-beater by Victor Headmen. Tampa's current win streak is now at six games. The reigning champs are creating a compelling narrative for a run at back-to-back Stanley cups.

Quick Hits

• Walter Gretzky, one of Canada's great hockey dads, passed away at the age of 82. Walter was named to the order of Canada in 2007 and had an Elementary School in Brantford named in his honour in 2012. The news was announced by his son and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky on his Twitter. Truly a sad day for hockey fans everywhere. Condolences to the whole Gretzky Family.

• Zach Parise of the Minnesota Wild was a healthy scratch for the first time since his rookie season in 2005 this Wednesday after he didn't make a change late in the third period against Vegas on Monday. The Knights then scored the game-tying goal and won in overtime. Parise is back in the line-up for Friday's game, and Wild head Coach is sure it's behind them saying, "give a player a little tweak and hopefully he comes back hungry and ready to go. We certainly expect Zach to be that person."

• The NHL department of player safety announced San Jose Sharks forward Joachim Blichfeld has suspended two games for his hit to the head of Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon during Wednesday's contest (see attached clip below). Hopefully, this is a learning experience as Blichfeld is only 22, this was his fourth career NHL game, and he has never faced NHL supplemental discipline before.

• Salute to Brent Seabrook as he announced his retirement Friday due to his hip injury's prolonged issues. The 35-year-old has been on long-term IR this season. After skating with the taxi squad, he decided it was his time. Seabrook said, "It was hard to skate and keep up. Id wake up in the morning, Id feel good, Id skate for five minutes, and it would lock up". Seabrook also revealed X-rays showed no cartilage left in one hip. Seabrook scored 464 points in 1,114 NHL games, adding 59 points in 123 playoff games. Seabrook was a significant part of three Blackhawk Stanley cup championships and should be proud of his storied career.