NHL - Every Sunday, our NHL-crew is looking back at the past week and provides a summary and evaluation of the performances and results of the Swiss players and their respective teams.Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks had a successful week, in which they won two out of two games. They could celebrate victories over the New York Islanders (5-2) and the Minnesota Wild (2-1). Hiller played both games, stopped 58 of 61 attempts and had a save percentage of .950. Luca Sbisa is still injured with a torn tendon in his right hand and is not yet close to a return. He is expected to miss 3 to 5 more weeks. The Ducks are still in number one spot in the Pacific Division. They lead the division with 49 points (22-7-5) ahead of the Los Angeles Kings.
Calgary Flames
There was a big bang in Calgary last week as they fired their general manager Jay Feaster. For the Flames it was a good week though, even if one cannot say the same about our Swiss players in red and black. Bärtschi scored one assist and Berra stopped 22 of 24 shots in their 1-2 loss against the Boston Bruins. After that, Bärtschi was assigned to the AHL and Berra was only backing up Ramo. The Flames won their last two games against Carolina (2-1) and Buffalo (2-1 in OT) and are still in 6th place in the Pacific Division with a record of 13-15-4 and 30 points.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild and Nino Niederreiter won two out of their last four games. They started with a 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks, but then they had to accept two defeats against the Anaheim Ducks (1-2) and the San Jose Sharks again (1-3). Last night, they found their way back to winning, as they won against the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in shootout. It was a special night for Niederreiter. After a 10-game drought, he scored his 6th goal of the season (see video below) and was elected 3rd star of the game. Over these four games, he played an average of more than 12 minutes. The Wild are in 4th place in the Central Division with 43 points (19-11-5).
Montréal Canadiens
It wasn’t a very good week for the Montréal Canadiens. They were blanked by the Los Angeles Kings 0-6 and lost 1-2 against Mark Streit and his Philadelphia Flyers. At least they won last night against the New York Islanders 1-0 in overtime, but after an extended winning-streak before, they have now problems to find the back of the net. Over this span, Diaz had an even rating, and played nearly 18 minutes per game. The Canadiens’ record is now 20-11-3, and with 43 points, they are right behind the Boston Bruins in 2nd place.
Nashville Predators
What a week for the Nashville Predators and Roman Josi. They are on a three-game winning-streak right now, won all of their games last week. The New York Rangers (4-1), the Dallas Stars (3-1) and the San Jose Sharks (2-3) had to accept defeats against the Preds. Josi was a big reason why they were able to start and uphold this streak. Over these games, Josi scored his 2nd goal of the season (see video below), assisted to two more goals (his 7th and 8th assist of the season) and played nearly 27 minutes per game. Only the Predators’ Captain Shea Weber has more ice time than Josi. The Predators have now a record of 16-14-3 with 35 points.
New Jersey Devils
Damien Brunner found a way, to put that puck in the net again. After a long drought of 18 games, or since October 26th, he finally scored again. Brunner scored two goals in the Devils’ 4-5 loss against the Columbus Blue Jackets. They lost the following game against the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-3, but answered right back last night, with a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. And there was Brunner again - he scored the game winner with 4:23 on the clock in the second period (see video below). Those were the goals number 5, 6 and 7 for Damien Brunner. The Devils (13-15-6, 32) are in 5th place in a very tight Metropolitan Division.
Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Streit and his Flyers gained 3 of 6 possible points this week. After they lost against the Ottawa Senators 4-5 in shootout and the Chicago Blackhawks 2-7, the Flyers were able to find back to winning ways against the Montréal Canadiens (2-1). Streit had a -5 rating over these three games, scored his 10th assist as a Flyer and was about 19 minutes on the ice. The Flyers (14-15-3, 31) are right behind the Devils in 6th place in the Metropolitan Division.
Vancouver Canucks
Yannick Weber was recalled from Utica (AHL) this week. With some great games he convinced head coach John Tortorella, that he is ready to get his spot back. Still healthy scratch against the Carolina Hurricanes at the beginning of the week, Weber returned to their lineup against the Oilers. In his first game back, Weber got some big minutes. He played 13 minutes in the Canucks’ 4-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers and got his first assist of the season. But that’s not all. Last night, in their 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins, Weber (played again more than 14 minutes) scored his first goal as a member of the Vancouver Canucks (see video below)! Congratulations! The Canucks have now a winning streak of 7 games and with 45 points, they are in 4th place in the Pacific Division.
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