Here's Some Sunday AM NHL Notes Before The NFL Swallows The Day
*Taking a look at the NHL standings after almost two weeks, there's only one team that has secured all of their potential points and that's the Carolina Hurricanes. They're second in goals for (with a game in hand on #1 Vegas) and tied for third in goals against (with a game in hand on #2 Colorado). As is typical for this franchise, through no fault of their own, they've kind of flown under the radar thus far.
--But one of the great stories in this NHL season so far has been 27-year-old undrafted goalie Brandon Bussi finally getting his first NHL start and stopping 16 of San Jose's 17 shots (.941 SP) to earn his first NHL victory. And it made for a great scene.
--After four seasons with the Bruins organization and its logjammed crease, UFA Bussi signed with Florida in July. However, the Panthers waived him on October 4th and Carolina wisely claimed him a day later. And last night in L.A., Bussi finished bookending a California sweep for the Canes.
--And shout-out to that gem Seth Jarvis for making NHL history…
I mentioned Islanders #1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer and his early impact in my blog last Tuesday. But that was barely scratching the surface. This kid has been a phenom a mere five games into his NHL career.
--The esteemed Emily Kaplan at ESPN reported that as many as "10 teammates have offered (Schaefer) a place to live" as the uber-skilled D-man began his NHL career and that Matt and Sydney Martin were ultimately the ones to take him in.
--And Sydney had nothing but wonderful things to say about the rookie.
--But this adorable interview that TSN's Claire Hanna conducted with his grandparents yesterday is what really melts your heart.
--Man, what a quote from his grandfather. Just exemplifies how much that off-ice gestures can mean to folks. Schaefer lost his mom Jennifer to breast cancer in February of 2024 and has since volunteered his time to other kids who are dealing with incalculable grief at a much-too-young age. This kid is special, man.
Old pal Brad Marchand did the most Brad Marchand thing ever yesterday in Buffalo yesterday where his Panthers were whitewashed 3-0 by a suddenly-alive Sabres squad.
--After taking a love-tap of a cross-check from hulking Buffalo D-man Rasmus Dahlin, Marchy took exception and Pearl Harbor'd the Sabre like a 1980's WWF heel. Not only that, he smuggled the big Swede's helmet to the penalty box and then his inner "Rowdy" Roddy Piper really came out. Florida's head imp ripped off the straps before chucking the bucket onto the ice. Just vintage Marchand.
Has Philly finally fixed its crease woes?
--It's definitely early but 2-1-0, 1.65, .934 has been a hell of a start for the former Flame and a team waiting a long time for a guy to grab the #1 goalie reigns.
VGK forwards Jack Eichel and Mark Stone have started this season ablaze over their first six games. Eichel has posted 5-10--15 and Stone 2-11--13 as the teammates are #1 and #2 in NHL points.
Shit news for the Ottawa Senators as they lost their captain to surgery.
--But Shane Pinto's seven goals can't do it all. And the collective 5.00 and .829 from the crease needs to vastly improve if the Sens are going to return to the playoffs.
After sending the Molson Center into delirium with his OTGWG vs. Seattle Tuesday night, Goal Caufield did it again two nights later!