Deen's Daily
Deen’s Daily: Avalanche’s PP Rollercoaster; Third Period Control; Penguins Suspension
The Avalanche’s power play has been all over the place in recent weeks, and the game on Saturday was no different. They continue to take control of games in the third period. Also, a suspension in Pittsburgh, a brutal showing from the Detroit Red Wings, and an injury that could hurt the Panthers when they face Colorado this afternoon.
All that and more on this edition of Deen’s Daily — January 4.
Colorado Hockey Now
The Carolina Hurricanes were the latest Avalanche victim. Not just in terms of losing, but more in how they lost. The Avs are an incredible third period team and showed that again on Saturday. They don’t just make comebacks and fight to take the game late. They take control of the game in the third, and get the goals they need early.
That’s how it played out in Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and Brent Burns’ returns to Raleigh.
READ MORE: 10 Takeaways: Hurricanes Are Latest Victim of Avalanche’s Third-Period Dominance
Nathan MacKinnon has been far and away the best third-period player in the NHL this year. He had four points on Saturday, and three of them were in the third.
READ MORE: Postgame Wrap: Avalanche Score 4 in Third Period, Defeat Carolina Hurricanes 5-3
Before the game, I caught up with Necas about the struggling power play, and other things about his game. You can catch that piece below, for CHN+ subscribers.
READ MORE: Martin Necas Talks Struggling Avalanche Power Play (+)
Around The NHL
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers lost Seth Jones to an upper-body injury at the Winter Classic. That won’t bode well for them if he can’t play against the Avs.
San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks got a hat trick from an unlikely source. But they also gave up a hat trick, and four other goals, in a 7-3 loss to the Lightning.
Detroit Hockey Now: The Red Wings lost to Pittsburgh for the second time in two games. This time, they only mustered 12 shots on goal in 60 minutes. Not good. Head coach Todd McLellan called out his top line after the game.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The newest addition to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization is facing a suspension for failing to report.
I think Miner should get the start today. It seems like a perfectly logical spot for him: it’s the second game of a back-to-back – and second of three games in four nights; against a team we’ve already beaten soundly this season; while we have a 10 game winning streak going on; and we have an 11 point lead in the standings over second place. What have we got to lose in rolling with Miner today? Not enough that would outweigh the positives, in my opinion. Will that happen? I suppose we’ll see.
They also have three games in hand on second place. I’d say, with Blackwood on IR at the moment, they don’t need to risk Wedgewood getting injured by playing him back-to-back. The Panthers have dangerous scorers and would probably like to shake their poor Winter Classic performance off so, while I don’t like the idea of a “scheduled loss,” IMO, you’re correct that they should take their chances with Miner today.