Anaheim Goalie Frederik Anderson makes a save against the Flyers. (Photo by Amy Irvin/38Photography)
Since losing their opener to the Penguins, the Anaheim Ducks are about as red hot as a team can be. Led by goaltender Frederik Anderson and right winger Corey Perry, the Ducks have won six in a row to move to 6-1-0 on the season.
Anderson has been in net for all six victories during the streak. He has a 6-0 record on the year with a 1.32 goals against average, a .951 save percentage and one shutout. Offensively, Perry leads the team with eight goals and ten points. During the streak, Anaheim has outscored their oppenents 21-8.
Speaking of hot starts, the Montreal Canadiens are also off to great start. Montreal is also 6-1-0, good for an eastern conference leading twelve points.
The Canadiens are led offensively by Tomas Plekanec, four goals and eight points, and Alex Galchenyuk, three goals and seven points. Between the pipes, Carey Price is off to a 5-1 start with a 2.96 goals against average and a .902 save percentage.
Following last night's 3-2 win over the Blackhawks, the Nashville Predators are 5-0-2. Former Flyers coach Peter Laviolette and the Predators are the only remaining team in the league without a regualtion loss. Their twelve points ties them with Anaheim and Montreal for the NHL lead.
The Buffalo Sabres announced earlier this week that the organization will retire Dominik Hasek's number 39. The ceremony will be held prior to the team's January 13th game against the Detroit Red Wings.
In nine season with the Sabres, Hasek won six Vezina trophies as the league's best goaltender and two Hart trophies as league MVP. He was a six time all star for Buffalo. His career record as the Sabres goalie was 234-170-70 with a .926 save percentage and a 2.22 goals against average. It is a well deserved honor for the member of this year's NHL Hall of Fame class.
The dark cloud of domestic violence has cast it's shadow over the NHL. Earlier this week, Los Angeles Kings defensemen Slava Voynov was arrested. The league, as well as the Kings organization, has suspended Voynov indefinitely. Voynov's attorney maintains his innocence and has publicily criticized the league for it's handling of the situation. We will update this story as more details and facts become available.
In the feel good, non hockey related, story of the week, St. Louis defenseman Alex Pietranglo showed the often over looked compassionate side of a professional athlete. Back in August his niece Ellie was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor. Since that time, Ellie has begun chemotherapy for the disease and started to lose her hair.
To show his support for the little girl, Pietranglo allowed her to shave his head. He recently posted photos on twitter of the five year old, razor in hand. It was a touching sentiment by Alex. We hope that little Ellie has a full recovery.
Points leaders through 10/23/14
Goals – Perry, Nash – 8
Assits – Tavares, Getzlaf, Colborne, Hartnell – 8
Points – Tavares – 11
Bill Minchin is a contributing writer for Flyerdelphia. Follow him on Twitter @wtfd103074
