Minnesota visits Pittsburgh after shootout victory
The Minnesota Wild visit the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Wild took down the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 in a shootoutDECEMBER 17, 2023•ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Tristan Jarry - Yanked in second periodJarry allowed four goals on 14 shots Saturday before being relieved by Alex Nedeljkovic in the second period. The Penguins lost 7-0 and Jarry took the loss.
ImpactThe Maple Leafs were playing without superstar Auston Matthews (illness), but that didn't matter -- they came in waves and the Pens had no response at all. Zero. They didn't play well at all. Nedeljkovic made 18 saves in relief. This month has been tough on Jarry, who has recorded a 1-3-1 record with 14 goals allowed. But overall, he sports a 9-11-2 record with a 2.90 GAA and .909 save percentage.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
John Tavares - Seven-game, nine-point streakTavares scored a goal Saturday in a 7-0 blowout win over the Penguins.
ImpactHe got a power-play goal in the second period when Willian Nylander's shot hit him in front of the net, and he backhanded in a loose puck at the top of the crease. Tavares extended his point streak to seven games (nine points; two goals, seven assists). He has 29 points, including nine goals, in 28 games, but only eight of his points (two goals) have come on the power play. Last season, Tavares put up 39 of his 80 points with the man advantage.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Bobby McMann - First NHL goal at 27 years of ageMcMann scored his first NHL goal Saturday in a 7-0 win over the Penguins.
ImpactHe wired a wrist shot from the slot at 18:25 of the first period after taking a pass from Tyler Bertuzzi. It was his 17th game. It's been a long haul for the 27-year-old McMann who looked ECHL-bound in 2021 after just four points in 21 AHL games the season before. Then an injury opened a spot with the Marlies, and he hasn't looked back since. And now, it's a dream fulfilled for McMann. Well done.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Matthew Knies - Gordie Howe Hat Trick in returnKnies (illness) scored a goal and added an assist in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh.
ImpactKnies had missed two games due to illness, but looked none the worse for wear when he roared in on Tristan Jarry early in the first frame, held off a defender and lifted a backhand over the netminder's glove from the top of the crease. Knies actually delivered a somewhat rare Gordie Howe Hat Trick on Saturday. He found Pens defender John Ludvig in the first and had an assist on Max Domi's second period goal. Knies is fifth on the NHL rookie goal list (tied with Connor Zary with seven) and is on a 40-point pace.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Mitchell Marner - Early-season frustrations long goneMarner scored a goal and added an assist Saturday in a 7-0 win over the Penguins.
ImpactIt was Marner's third consecutive multi-point game (four goals, four assists), and it stretched his point streak to four games and nine points. He also has points in seven of his last eight games (eight goals, six assists). Marner has put his early-season frustrations behind him, and he's back on pace for a possible 100-point campaign. Beware his 20.6 shooting percentage, though -- it's significantly above his 13.0 career average, so his goal scoring will likely slow. With 13 in 28 games, Marner is on a 38-goal pace.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
Martin Jones - Hot start continuesJones made 38 saves in a 7-0 win over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
ImpactIt was his 29th career shutout. Jones has been outstanding to start his career with the Leafs. He's 3-0-0 with a 1.85 GAA and .949 save percentage. With Ilya Samsonov struggling, Jones needs to be this good. But bear in mind that Jones has almost always started hot with a new team before things slow down significantly. Take advantage for now, but be prepared to sit Jones when his game takes a turn.
DECEMBER 17, 2023•ROTOWIRE
