Feb 22, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) tries to cover the rebound against Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
THE DEBATE – Hockey Podcast | Episode 16
Mrazek Rescues Flyers, The Untouchables, and Trade Deadline Update
Debate 1 | Mrazek traded to Philadelphia to rescue them from injuries.
Debate 2 | Who are the NHL Untouchables?
Debate 3 | NHL Trade Deadline update and predictions.
Petr Mrazek was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers from the Detroit Red Wings when both of the Flyers goalies went down with injuries. Will Mrazek rescue the Flyers and lead them to the playoffs? Who are the untouchables in the NHL. What players will never be moved, and how many is their? NHL Trade Deadline is drawing near. Brad Burud and Blake Friars breakdown all speculation and projections for trade deadline.
Feb 15, 2018; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Ryan Hartman (center) fights with Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (left) and defenseman Josh Manson (right) during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Why in todays hockey does a big/clean hit often result in a instant retaliation fight? Last week Chicago Blackhawks Ryan Hartman laid out Jakub Silfverberg on a clean shoulder to shoulder hit. Silfverberg had his head down, and it was a clean hit, but three Anaheim Ducks attacked Hartman. Why, it was a legal hit!
Feb 1, 2018; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) skates against the Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Watch as Nikita Kucherov appears to lose control of the puck, only to fool Braden Holtby and open up the five-hole to score for the Lightning. Kucherov fakes out Holtby with tricky phantom deke move to score his 32nd of the year. In classy fashion Kucherov later downplayed the fantastic goal, by saying its just another goal. Boy was it! What a fantastic and creative move. Just watch the kids imitate this one.
Jan 4, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier (13) skates against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Devils 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, Arizona Coyotes goaltender Antti Raanta and Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Feb. 18.
FIRST STAR – NICO HISCHIER, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Hischier scored in all four of his appearances, sharing the League lead with four goals and ranking second overall with 4-3—7 to power the Devils (31-20-8, 70 points) to a perfect week. He posted 1-1—2 in a 5-4 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Feb. 13. Hischier then registered 1-2—3, his third three-point performance of the season, in a 5-2 triumph against the Carolina Hurricanes Feb. 15. He added one goal in each of his next two outings, a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Feb. 17 and a 3-2 overtime victory against the Hurricanes Feb. 18. In doing so, Hischier became the fifth rookie in Devils franchise history to score in four straight team games and the first to do so since 1984-85 (Greg Adams). The 19-year-old Brig, Switzerland, native and No. 1 overall selection from the 2017 NHL Draft has played in all 59 New Jersey contests this season, ranking in the top 10 among rookies in assists (t-4th; 26), shots on goal (t-4th; 134), points (6th; 39) and goals (t-9th; 13).
Raanta stopped 123 of the 126 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record with a 0.90 goals-against average, .976 save percentage and one shutout in four appearances to lift the Coyotes (17-32-10, 44 points) to their first four-game winning streak since Jan. 4-12, 2016 (also 4-0-0). He made 37 saves in a 6-1 triumph over the Chicago Blackhawks Feb. 12, followed by 12 stops in relief in a 2-1 victory against the San Jose Sharks Feb. 13. Raanta then denied 34 shots in a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens Feb. 15 before capping the week with 40 saves and his ninth career shutout in a 1-0 triumph against he Edmonton Oilers Feb. 17. The 28-year-old Rauma, Finland, native owns a 12-14-6 record with a 2.45 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and one shutout in 35 outings this season.
THIRD STAR – MARK SCHEIFELE, C, WINNIPEG JETS
Scheifele ranked third in the NHL with 3-4—7 in three contests to propel the Jets (35-15-9, 79 points) to a perfect week and the top of the Central Division standings. He collected 2-1—3, including the shorthanded game-tying goal with 14.4 seconds remaining in regulation and the lone assist on the overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory against the Washington Capitals Feb. 13. Scheifele then registered his second straight three-point outing with a trio of assists in a 6-1 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Feb. 16. He closed the week by scoring the game-winning goal in a 7-2 victory against the Florida Panthers Feb. 18. The 24-year-old Kitchener, Ont., native sits second on the Jets with 18-28—46 this season (43 GP) despite missing 16 games due to injury.
