Flames - Sam Bennett
One goal. Three shots. Four hits. In 15-and-a-half minutes of ice time Friday, Sam Bennett did just about everything to make an impression and help his club claw back from three separate one-goal deficits. Along with linemates Derek Ryan and James Neal, the trio had 70% (21-9) of the shot attempts, and out-chanced the Predators 8-5 when they were on the ice at even strength. In a 3-3 game, No. 93 had a glorious chance to put the Flames in front when he took a Ryan pass on the doorstep, but he inadvertently shoveled it through goaltender Juuse Saros and wide of the cage. Still, with two goals in last three goals and obvious chemistry building with Neal, Bennett looks to be hitting his stride.
"He's been good for about two weeks now," said head coach Bill Peters. "He's been good in practice and it kind of starts there, right? He's been having some success there and he's working hard in practice and it's carrying over into the games, and he's getting rewarded."
Rangers - Brett Howden
In this, his first NHL season, the Calgary native is off to a fantastic start, scoring twice and adding two helpers, and winning 58% of his faceoffs in only seven games. Howden, the 27th pick in the 2016 Draft, was acquired by the Rangers at last year's trade deadline as part of a five-player swap, including the Rangers' then-captain Ryan McDonagh. Howden is coming off an exceptional final season with the WHL's Moose Jaw Warriors, recording a career-high 75 points (24G, 51A) in only 49 regular-season games, before adding another 15 (7G, 8A) in 14 playoff contests. The 20-year-old is known as a highly effective two-way pivot, who excels on special teams, has a great shot and speed to burn. Howden, who's averaging more than 14 minutes per game in ice time, will play on a line with Jimmy Vesey and former Lightning Vladislav Namestnikov tonight.