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Fantucchio’s Focus: First Trade And First Sorokin Shutout Of New NHL Season

Published

6 months ago

October 18, 2023

Good morning, my name is Andrew Fantucchio. It’s Wednesday, October 18, and here’s what I’m focused on around the NHL today.

Sorokin and Islanders Shutout ‘Yotes:

The Islanders picked up a shutout win last night, and for once, Ilya Sorokin wasn’t the main reason why.

Sorokin and Islanders Sail To Shutout Victory Over Coyotes

Kirby Dach Out For Rest Of Season:

The Montreal Canadiens have announced that forward Kirby Dach will miss the rest of the season and undergo surgery for a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee.

Forward Kirby Dach will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining tears to his ACL and MCL in his right knee. He will undergo surgery.

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) October 18, 2023

No Ill-Will Between Jets and PLD:

Pierre-Luc Dubois’ return to Winnpeg had all the makings for some drama. But it seems that there are no grudges, at least on the side of the Jets, as Josh Morrisey told Murat Ates of The Athletic.

Josh Morrissey and I had a candid, 1v1 conversation about PLD's exit from Winnipeg.

"I'm not giving you politically correct answer to avoid a rivalry with the Kings or something like that. If I felt that he wasn't all-in when he was here, then I would easily say that."

(1/3)

— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) October 17, 2023

Penguins and Canucks Complete First Trade Of NHL Season:

In the first trade of the 2023-24 NHL season, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Jack Rathbone and Karl Plasek from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Mark Friedman and Ty Glover.

Penguins Trade: Get Rathbone, Plasek from Canucks; Friedman Goes to Vancouver

Yesterday’s Scoreboard:

Islanders: 1, Coyotes: 0

Flyers: 2, Canucks: 0

Wild 5, Canadiens: 2

Sabres: 3, Lightning: 2 (OT)

Oilers: 6, Predators: 1

Kings: 5, Jets: 1

Avalanche: 4, Kraken: 1

Hurricanes: 6, Sharks: 3

Golden Knights: 3, Stars: 2 (SO)

Today’s Schedule:

*All Times EST*

Washington Capitals vs. Ottawa Senators, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Detroit Red Wings, 7:30 p.m.

More From National Hockey Now:

New Jersey: Despite a horrendous start to the season, there’s no reason to worry about Timo Meier.

Philadelphia: Sean Couturier showed he is still a threat offensively. That and more takeaways from the Flyers win in their home opener.

Boston: A strong start hasn’t changed the overall outlook on the season for the Bruins, writes Jimmy Murphy.

Detroit: Early results are showing the Yzerplan is working for the Red Wings.

Montreal: It’s one thing not to score on the power play, but it’s another to surrender multiple scores to the other team, as the Canadiens did last night against the Wild.

Colorado: The altitude of Denver provides a huge home-ice advantage for the Avalanche, but they’re showing they’re comfortable playing just about anywhere.

Chicago: It’s not just Connor Bedard; Arvid Soöderblom is another young Blackhawk that’s looked good so far.

Nashville: Mattias Ekholm found closure in his long-awaited return to Bridgestone Arena.

Vegas: A rematch of last year’s Western Conference final had a familiar result.

San Jose: Sharks head coach David Quinn ripped into his own team after they blew a third-period lead.