Three Stars
1. Mikko Rantanen
Tonight’s game between the Avalanche and Bruins featured a heavyweight battle between possibly the two best top lines in the NHL, and those trios delivered.
While David Pastrnak (one goal and one assist) ranked among the B’s who contributed, the Bruins really had no answer for Mikko Rantanen, Nathan MacKinnon, and Gabriel Landeskog.
All three of those Colorado stars scored at least a goal in the Avs’ 6-3 win, yet Rantanen stood tallest with a goal and two assists. With that three-point performance, Rantanen now holds a pretty comfortable NHL points lead at 29 (MacKinnon, Patrice Bergeron, and Connor McDavid are tied at second with 26).
If you’re outrageous and need another nugget, consider that both of Rantanen’s assists were first ones, so he also racked up primary points on Wednesday.
2. Cody Eakin
The trio of Eakin (two goals), Alex Tuch (one goal, one assist), and Max Pacioretty (two assists) loomed large during Vegas’ dominant 5-0 win, doing their damage when the game was still within reach.
You could make an argument for his linemates - Tuch’s goal was the GWG, for one thing - but Eakin grabbed two goals, including a matter-of-fact backhander during a shorthanded rush.
As much as the Golden Knights must miss Paul Stastny, Eakin has been heating up lately. This impressive performance extends the former Dallas Stars center’s point streak to fie games (four goals, two assists).
3. Corey Crawford
OK, this is a tough one. After all, Marc-Andre Fleury’s shutout (29 saves) features one more save than the one Corey Crawford authored (28 saves). “MAF” made some dazzling saves to maintain that goose egg, too.
It’s nice to spread the wealth to multiple teams in the three stars, and beyond that, the margin of error was different. While Fleury was maintaining a shutout, Crawford couldn’t make a mistake, as the Blackhawks only managed one goal in that 1-0 victory against the Blues. Maybe Chicago would have offered more if forced, although the Blackhawks’ 18 SOG don’t inspire much confidence.
The sheer meaning of Crawford’s shutout pushes it over the top.
Most immediately, it ended Chicago’s eight-game losing streak.
More personally, Crawford managed his first shutout in more than a year, and in doing so powered new head coach Jeremy Colliton to his first win as an NHL head coach.
Was Fleury’s shutout objectively better? Maybe, so consider him 3a to Crawford’s 3b if it’s really important to you.
Injuries
- Zdeno Chara left Boston’s loss, something to watch.
- Tough night for Washington. Braden Holtby couldn’t suit up, while Evgeny Kuznetsov’s night ended early. It’s also possible that T.J. Oshie was shaken up by Josh Morrissey’s impression of The Rock.
- A rough evening for the Ducks also included an ominous update about facial surgery for fleet-footed defenseman Cam Fowler.
Highlights
Rantanen definitely helped MacKinnon score the game-winner:
The next time someone asks you who the best line in hockey is, show them this goal.#GoAvsGo #GoAvsGo https://t.co/MMjoEHplE4
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 15, 2018
Jake DeBrusk deserves three stars consideration thanks to his two goals in a losing effort for Boston:
That little head fake at the end. Nice touch, @JDebrusk. #BOSvsCOL https://t.co/nHedCcnJvW
— NHL (@NHL) November 15, 2018
Little Flower? MAFjr?
The next Fleury. pic.twitter.com/98zJeyCedK
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) November 15, 2018
Nick Holden also had a two-point night, thanks in part to this odd tally:
Factoids
Blake Wheeler kept his point streak going, even if it was *yawn* just one assist. Slacker.
Wheeler is just the second player in @NHLJets / Thrashers franchise history to record a double-digit point streak on multiple occasions.
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 15, 2018
The other: Ilya Kovalchuk (10 GP from Dec. 10-28, 2009 and 10 GP from Dec. 27 – Jan. 15, 2008). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/ThxWbzXMro
MAF is moving up the ranks.
Marc-Andre Fleury registered his 51st career shutout to move into a tie with Dave Kerr, Tomas Vokoun, Rogie Vachon and Curtis Joseph for 24th on the NHL’s all-time list. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/JvSc6o26vo
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 15, 2018
Scores
CHI 1 - STL 0
WPG 3 - WSH 1
COL 6 - BOS 3
VGK 5 - ANA 0
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.