Game recaps and more in your NHL Canadian Corner.
Game recaps.
EDMONTON JOURNAL/THE VANCOUVER SUN: Lauri Korpikoski’s overtime goal lifted the Edmonton Oilers to a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. Nail Yakupov also tallied for the Oilers, thanks to a nice set-up by rookie Connor McDavid. While the Canucks out-chanced and outshot the Oilers, they could only put one goal past goalie Anders Nilsson.
STLTODAY.COM/WINNIPEG SUN: Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and Brian Elliott made 27 saves to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 4-2 victory in what was a physical contest between the two clubs. Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba could face supplemental discipline for an illegal hit to the head of Blues forward Troy Brouwer. Dustin Byfuglien received a charging penalty on Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester and coincidental roughing minors with Scottie Upshall.
Notable headlines.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: Off to a strong 6-0-0 start to the season, the Montreal Canadiens are giving the doomsayers among their fan base little to complain about.
TORONTO STAR: After years in former coach Randy Carlyle’s doghouse, Maple Leafs defenseman Jake Gardiner is thriving under new coach Mike Babcock.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s because Babcock is trying to nurture Gardiner’s talent and bolster his confidence, whereas Carlyle tried to force him to play a style unsuited to his skills and punished him for the slightest mistake.
CALGARY HERALD: Sam Bennett joins T.J. Brodie, Lance Bouma, Joe Colborne and Ladislav Smid on the Flames’ growing list of injured players.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators need more production from of Bobby Ryan, Curtis Lazar, Milan Michalek and Mika Zibanejad.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is it me, or is this starting to sound exactly like the same complaint from last season?
Gardiner has been the most impressive Leaf so far…of the group that remained. Hunwick has been good aswell.
“The Senators need more production from of Bobby Ryan, Curtis Lazar, Milan Michalek and Mika Zibanejad.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is it me, or is this starting to sound exactly like the same complaint from last season?”
It’s deja-vu all over again Lyle. You have to wonder how much longer Murray’s patience will hold out.
bobby ryan is starting to look like an anchor of a contract hopefully he can turn it around but its not looking good. babcock needs to take gardiner aside and really teach him where to be without the puck he is terrible always out of position! in the offensive zone he looks alright but in his own end its just not there
Lazar is to young to start worrying about.
Ryan it appears needs a set up man. He talked before the season of driving the net hard but he still looks like a perimeter player to me. Although his two shoot out goals were valuable to us.
I don’t understand the complaint or request for more from Michalek. He is an aging player with past knee issues. He is what he is and should be on the 3rd line. Perhaps an upgrade is needed but don’t expect more from him.j
Zbad hasn’t been playing bad. The puck just isnt’ going in.
I’m more concerned about Ottawa defensive coverage. Their scoring goals. Doesn’t that sound like a complaint from last season?
You could substitute Greening for Zbad with that statement. I don’t want to wait around 5 years for a BIG F to start PLAYING big – again.