THU. OCT. 17
Player to watch for goal: Sean Monahan, F, CBJ (vs. BUF) – The Columbus Blue Jackets center is among their leaders in goals (two in three games; tied for first), points (four; tied for second behind linemate Yegor Chinakhov’s five) and shots on goal (11; tied for second behind Zach Werenski’s 17). Monahan, who signed a five-year contract with Columbus in the offseason, has been playing on the top line and faces the Buffalo Sabres, who will be on the second of back-to-back games after allowing six goals in an overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday. Per NHL EDGE stats, Monahan is tied for seventh in high-danger shots on goal (seven).
Player to watch for point: Viktor Arvidsson, F, EDM (at NSH) – Although the Oilers have tried stacking their top forwards Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman on the same line during their season-opening struggles, Arvidsson is still in a great spot on the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and either Jeff Skinner or Vasily Podkolzin against the Nashville Predators, his former team. The Predators are allowing the second-most goals per game (4.67) in the NHL behind the Colorado Avalanche (6.25), and, per EDGE stats, the Oilers have the highest offensive zone time percentage at even strength (46.7).
Player to watch for shots on goal: Thomas Harley, D, DAL (at WSH) – The Dallas Stars defenseman ranks sixth in the NHL at his position in shots on goal (14 in four games), and, per EDGE stats, is tied for sixth in long-range shots on goal (seven). Harley is playing on the top pair with Miro Heiskanen and second power play with exposure to high-scoring forwards Logan Stankoven (five assists in four games), Mason Marchment (five points in four games) and Matt Duchene (three points in four games). The Washington Capitals have allowed seven goals over their first two games.
Player to watch for power-play point: Adam Boqvist, D, FLA (vs. VAN) – Even with the absences of elite forwards Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk, Boqvist is in a prime spot on the Florida Panthers’ first power play with forwards Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues. Boqvist’s only point through four games this season was a power-play assist, and he also has seven shots on goal (all from long range). The Vancouver Canucks, who remain without top goalie Thatcher Demko, are tied for the sixth-most goals allowed per game (4.00). Per EDGE stats, Boqvist quietly ranks in the 83rd percentile in offensive zone time percentage at all strengths (45.1).
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FRI. OCT. 18
Player to watch for point: Rickard Rakell, F, PIT (vs. CAR) – The Pittsburgh Penguins wing has scored goals in three straight games and is playing on a line with center Evgeni Malkin, who leads the NHL in points (11 in five games) entering Thursday. Per NHL EDGE stats, two of Rakell’s three goals and five of his 10 shots on goal this season have come from high-danger areas; he ranks in the 96th and 94th percentiles of those categories this season entering Thursday.
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More: NHL EDGE Puck & Player Tracking Statistics
