Three Stars
1. Sebastian Aho
Monday was a big night for Sebastian Aho, Forward Version.
He was one of only two players to generate two points - so, yeah, Monday was pretty big for goalies - and his overtime goal was so smooth (and so funny at Brent Seabrook’s expense) that it got its own post.
Aho generated the lone assist on Teuvo Teravainen’s power-play goal, which helped Carolina get back into the game after falling behind 2-0 to Cam Ward and the Chicago Blackhawks.
By the way, Ward doesn’t make it to the three stars, but he managed 37 saves in his return to Carolina. Worth a mention, especially for a goalie who feels very far removed from his glory days with the Hurricanes franchise.
2. John Gibson
Heading into Monday’s contest in Anaheim, the buzz surrounded Ryan Kesler and Ryan Johansen. Would the two brawl in the parking lot, like an “Attitude Era” episode of Monday Night Raw? Perhaps they would settle their dispute by gorging on goals?
Nope.
Instead, Gibson and Pekka Rinne lived up to their 2018-19 reputations as two of the best goalies (if not the two best, full-stop) in the NHL. The contest went into the shootout 1-1, but Gibson was the netminder who finished with the W, with Gibson making 34 saves (including 10 in overtime) while Rinne stopped 29 shots.
As talented as both are and as productive as they’ve been really since last season, it’s tough to imagine them avoiding the natural pull of regression, at least to some extent. With that in mind, it was nice to see those two goalies carry their outstanding work into that game, and then deliver with a true goalie duel.
The Predators lost their first road game via the shootout, yet they kept their away point streak alive. The Ducks needed this much more, even if this sticks to the script of Gibson being an all-world, MVP-caliber goalie.
3. Cam Atkinson
You can thank Aho, Rinne, and Gibson for the headline not being something Atkinson Diet-related.
(Stashes that already-extremely-dusty joke for later.)
Atkinson joined Aho as one of two players to generate two points on a low-scoring Monday. While Atkinson didn’t generate the GWG like Aho did, he bares the distinction of being involved in all of Columbus’ goals in a tight win against the Stars. This was a nasty affair at times, as you can see from this fight between Jamie Benn and Josh Anderson.
As strong a night as Atkinson enjoyed, the Blue Jackets might most heartened by the possibility that Sergei Bobrovsky could be back in the zone.
Highlights
Rinne didn’t get the win, but he probably made the most ludicrous save, although there were enough great ones in this that I could be wrong.
Anton Khudobin couldn’t grab a win or even a point for Dallas in that tense, tight game against Columbus, but he did make this save.
Speaking of nice saves in losing efforts, here’s the best from Cam Ward:
Again, Aho’s OTGWG was quite something, so check it out here.
Factoids
Maybe the Hurricanes’ barrage of shots wasn’t a product of Bill Peters? Or maybe they haven’t forgotten his lessons?
Most shots on goal through first 18 games in a season since 1955-56:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 13, 2018
750 – @NHLCanes in 2018-19
740 – Boston Bruins in 1970-71
704 – Boston Bruins in 1969-70
696 – New York Rangers in 1968-69
695 – San Jose Sharks in 2008-09#NHLStats #CHIvsCAR pic.twitter.com/FBGOCtGv1M
Henrik Lundqvist continues to make history, and the Rangers are quietly heating up. If you want to tank, Lundqvist isn’t exactly your guy.
Henrik Lundqvist of the @NYRangers earned the 437th regular-season win of his NHL career to tie Jacques Plante for seventh place on the League’s all-time list among goaltenders. https://t.co/fnnmXu1Gax #NHLStats #VANvsNYR pic.twitter.com/yLSJOvk7NO
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 13, 2018
Scores
NYR 2 - VAN 1
CAR 3 - CHI 2 (OT)
CBJ 2 - DAL 1
ANA 2 - NSH 1 (SO)
MORE: Your 2018-19 NHL on NBC TV schedule
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.