Every Sunday, our NHL-crew is looking back at the past week and provides a summary and evaluation of the performances and results of the Swiss players and their respective teams.Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks had a very busy week. They played four games on the road, and were able to win in Columbus (without Jonas Hiller) 4-3, in Philadelphia 3-2, and at First Niagara Center in Buffalo 6-3. They only lost in Boston to the Bruins 2-3 after shootout. In total they got seven out of eight points during the past week. Hiller played three of these four games and allowed just seven goals on 68 shots. He had a save percentage of .888. Luca Sbisa, who is currently for two games with the Norfolk Admirals, has not played a game for the Ducks since his injury. However, he is expected to be back on Monday at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. The Ducks are right behind first-placed Sharks in the Pacific Division with 11-3-1 and 23 points.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames and Sven Bärtschi had a week to forget. They lost both games at home and continue to struggle. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs they lost 2-4 and against Damien Brunner’s former team, the Detroit Red Wings, 3-4. Bärtschi still has to find his game, has not had a point, and ended this week with a -2 rating, five shots on goal, and just 13:14 of ice time. And it will not get any easier for the Flames: they have to play their four upcoming games on the road when they face Chicago, Minnesota, St. Louis and Colorado. The Flames are now 5-6-2 and with twelve points on sixth place in the Pacific Division. Speaking of a bad week: Reto Berra’s week was not any better. His Abbotsford Heat won their first game of the week with 5-4 in Utica against the Comets (the Canucks Farmteam) but Berra just played 20 minutes because he let three of six shots past him. But finally, there were some good news for Berra yesterday. He was called up by the Flames’ head coach Bob Hartley, who wants to see Berra perform on NHL-level. Joey MacDonald, his rival for the second goalie spot on the team, was put on waivers.
Minnesota Wild
Nino Niederreiter scored his third goal for Minnesota this week. He tipped in a pass by Mikael Granlund a night ago in their 4-3 win against Raphael Diaz’ Montréal Canadiens. Not that good was their first game of the week at home, when they fell 1-5 to the Chicago Blackhawks. Over the last seven days, Niederreiter was averaging 14:11 of ice time and left with an even rating. He has now three goals and three assists in 14 games this season. The Wild, on fourth place in the Central Division with 7-4-3, have 17 points so far.
Montréal Canadiens
The Canadiens have a well-enough week behind them. They had to play three of their four games on the road. They started very good, when they won at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers 2-0, and 2-1 at home against the Dallas Stars. However, they struggled in their next game in Minnesota, where they had to accept the 3-4 defeat in a very close game. Last night, they lost again (1-4) when they faced Patrick Roy’s NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. Diaz had some good games, scored two assists and had a +1 rating with four shots on goal over the week. Furthermore, averaging 20:54 minutes, he saw some good ice time over the last four games. Montréal is now on fifth place of the Atlantic Division with 8-7-0 and 16 points.
Nashville Predators
Some good news for the Nashville Predators: Roman Josi was cleared to play and returned to their lineup. For Josi it is important to get some minutes to get back in shape, although the Predators lost in his comeback-game in Phoenix 4-5 after shootout. Josi already played 22:41 but left without a point and a -1 rating. In their second game of the week at Staples Center in Los Angeles, they won 4-3. Josi had a -1 and 22:41 ice time. The Predators are currently on fifth place in the Central Division with 16 points and 7-5-2. Some news from the AHL: Simon Moser won both games last week with his Milwaukee Admirals. He scored an assist in the game against the Texas Stars, where they came back after a 0-2 deficit, and won 3-2. He has now one goal and three assists in seven games.
New Jersey Devils
Damien Brunner and his New Jersey Devils continue to struggle finding their game. They beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-1, but lost against struggling Philadelphia Flyers 0-1. Brunner played 14:07 and could not help the team by getting his name on the scoreboard. Brunner now has a record of three goals and four assists in twelve games. The Devils are only on 7th place in the Metropolitan Division with 3-6-4 and 10 points.
Philadelphia Flyers
It is still the same story in Philadelphia. The Flyers are trying to get on track. At least they were able to win their last game in New Jersey against Damien Brunner’s Devils 1-0. But before that, they were beaten by Jonas Hiller’s Anaheim Ducks 3-2, and - worst of all - they got a 0-7 thrashing at home against the Washington Capitals. Mark Streit finished his week without a point, a -3 rating and 19:01 time on ice. The Flyers are still on the last rank in the Metropolitan Division with 4-9-0 and 8 points.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver won two of their three games last week. They celebrated victories at home against the Washington Capitals (3-2) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-0). They only had to accept that the Detroit Red Wings were better that day when they lost 1-2. Yannick Weber had the chance to get some minutes, but played just 3:19 minutes on average over these three games. He is still looking for his first point this season. Meanwhile, rumors are circulating that various Swiss teams are interested in signing him for the upcoming season – a return to Switzerland does not seem too implausible at the moment. Vancouver is now 10-5-1 and with 21 points on 4th place in the Pacific Division.
