THU. NOV. 21
Player to watch for goal: Andrew Mangiapane, F, WSH (vs. COL)
The Washington Capitals will be without forward Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's leading goal scorer (15), on Thursday, but Mangiapane should have renewed upside in an expanded role. Mangiapane, acquired from the Calgary Flames in the offseason, has scored four goals on 30 shots in 18 games this season, and his shooting percentage (13.3) is nearly in line with his career average (14.3). Mangiapane had career highs in goals (35) and power-play goals (eight) for the Flames in 2021-22, and, per NHL EDGE stats, ranks in the 75th percentile in average shot speed (59.79 miles per hour) this season. The Colorado Avalanche could be getting goalie Alexandar Georgiev back from injury Thursday; they have the worst team save percentage (.854) in the NHL. -- Pete Jensen
Player to watch for point and/or power-play point: Charlie McAvoy, D, BOS (vs. UTA)
The Boston Bruins defenseman has bounce-back appeal after their coaching change from Jim Montgomery to Joe Sacco considering the 26-year-old has been held to seven points (three goals, four assists), two on the power play, in 20 games this season. McAvoy is averaging 23:58 per game (20th in NHL entering Wednesday), plays on the first power-play unit with exposure to elite forward David Pastrnak and has shown signs of improvement lately with three points (one goal, two assists) and nine shots on goal over his past four games. Per NHL EDGE stats, two of McAvoy's three goals this season have come from long range (91st percentile), and he ranks in the 81st percentile in long-range shots on goal (16) entering Wednesday; McAvoy also ranks sixth League-wide in total skating distance (70.55). The Utah Hockey Club has been outscored 10-4 over its consecutive losses and is tied for the sixth-worst penalty kill percentage (75.0) entering Wednesday. -- Pete Jensen
