World Championship Roundup: How your favourite NHLers are enjoying

As quickly because the World Championship begins, gamers now not signify their NHL organizations. As a substitute, they’re loyal to nations they name dwelling. And whereas these nonetheless standing within the Stanley Cup playoffs have a shot at hockey’s most prized possession, the World Championship permits those that’ve been ousted a second probability at whereas permitting followers of non-playoff golf equipment to cheer on their favorites as they go for gold.
Simply three groups – the Dallas Stars, New York Islanders and Winnipeg Jets – have zero contributors, however the NHL’s different 28 groups have a minimum of one big-league participant suiting up in Slovakia. How are your favourite crew’s gamers doing on the 16-team worldwide showcase? Let’s have a look:
Anaheim DucksThe Geese have two gamers on the match. Adam Henrique has recorded one help in three video games for Canada, whereas Korbinian Holzer hasn’t recorded a degree for Germany following a troublesome season that noticed him cut up time with Anaheim and AHL San Diego.
Arizona CoyotesSweden has benefited from Coyotes ahead Mario Kempe and defenseman Oliver Ekman Larsson, with the pair recording two factors every on one of many match’s strongest groups. Ahead Richard Panik has had his fair proportion of probabilities and has two assists to his credit score for the host nation. Clayton Keller has one help on a United States crew that’s loaded with expertise.
Buffalo SabresTeam Canada was dealt an enormous blow when it misplaced Brandon Montour to a lower-body damage in opposition to Slovakia, with the already weak blueline now in want of additional firepower. Fellow Canadian Sam Reinhart remains to be trying to find his first aim after recording an help early within the match. Jack Eichel has been the actual star with 5 assists out of the gate for america.
Calgary FlamesThe People had been the true benefactors of the Flames’ early playoff exit, with Johnny Gaudreau, Derek Ryan and Noah Hanifin all heading to the match. Gaudreau scored a gorgeous aim in opposition to Finland and Hanifin and Ryan every had two factors in opposition to Nice Britain. Michael Frolik has been one of many high gamers with the Czech Republic, scoring three objectives and 4 factors via three contests. Elias Lindholm has two assists for Sweden.
Chicago BlackhawksWith 9 gamers, the Hawks are effectively represented in Slovakia. Alex DeBrincat has been essentially the most spectacular with three objectives and 4 factors, whereas Henri Jokiharju has been stellar for the Finns. Swiss prospect Philipp Kurashev has regarded good with a aim and two assists in his first match males’s senior match. Patrick Kane hasn’t produced on the stage he did final 12 months when he had 20 factors in 10 video games, however he does have six factors in 4 video games.
Colorado AvalancheMost of Colorado’s stars took the match off, however with 5 representatives in Slovakia, the Avalanche nonetheless has its fair proportion of expertise competing for gold. Tyson Jost was a late add for Canada and has acted because the crew’s 13th ahead, whereas Switzerland’s Sven Andrighetto scored in his lone contest in opposition to Austria. Netminder Pavel Francouz has but to play for the Czech Republic, Nikita Zadorov has nothing to point out for Russia and Germany’s Philipp Grubauer suffered an damage on Tuesday, along with his speedy standing unknown. Gabriel Landeskog shall be vital for Sweden as soon as he arrives.
Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus’ representatives have had blended opinions this week. Canada’s Pierre-Luc Dubois, France’s Alexandre Texier and Russia’s Vladislav Gavrikov are all looking for their first level of the match. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins arrived late for Latvia however shall be counted on to hold the crew to a quarterfinal spot after a stable 34-save debut in opposition to a powerful Swiss crew on Sunday. However by far, essentially the most spectacular participant has been Sweden’s Alexander Wennberg, who had two objectives and three factors in his solely recreation of the match. Zach Werenski ought to make a great American crew even higher when he lastly fits up.
Detroit Pink WingsEach of Detroit’s 5 gamers have made a big impression, however none have been as dominant as huge winger Anthony Mantha. The Canadian ahead has seven factors via three video games, together with a five-point night time in opposition to Nice Britain on the weekend. Tyler Bertuzzi hasn’t recorded a degree but however has been a beneficial shutdown ahead. Dylan Larkin and Quinn Hughes have a handful of factors every for america, whereas Filip Hronek has been arguably the very best Czech participant with 5 factors via three video games, tops amongst all defensemen.
Edmonton OilersThe Germans appear like a crew with true underdog potential, particularly with Leon Draisaitl main the way in which with three factors in three video games. Slovakian defenseman Andrej Sekera has regarded good, placing up two assists in three video games. Sweden’s Adam Larsson and Darnell Nurse have an help every.
Florida PanthersOn a Russian crew loaded with offensive expertise, Evgeni Dadonov has led the way in which with 4 objectives in 4 video games, good for third within the match. Dadonov appears to like the World Championship. His 45 factors are third amongst high scorers previously decade on the match. Frank Vatrano has been spectacular on USA’s fourth line with two factors. Finnish ahead Juho Lammikko remains to be searching for his first level on a crew with none full-time NHLers.
Los Angeles KingsIlya Kovalchuk had a poor season with the Kings, however he tends to thrive on the World Championship. By three video games, Kovalchuk has a aim and an help in a somewhat restricted function with Russia. Alec Martinez has accomplished a great job solidifying USA’s spectacular however inexperienced blueline, however the actual story has been Sweden’s Adrian Kempe, who has three factors and has showcased sturdy two-way play.
Minnesota WildKevin Fiala has had a dominant match for Switzerland, scoring 4 objectives and 5 factors via three video games, a welcome signal of offensive upside after he managed simply three objectives and 7 factors in 19 video games for the Wild. Ryan Suter has been USA’s go-to blueliner and will proceed to be one of many crew’s most vital gamers. Surprisingly, Wild prospect Kirill Kaprizov remains to be trying to find his first level of the match.
Montreal CanadiensThe Habs have only one rep in Slovakia. Tomas Tatar scored for the hosts in opposition to Canada in one of many wildest video games of the match. It’s his first World Championship aim since 2014, and it comes on the heels of his finest offensive season within the NHL.
Nashville PredatorsAs anticipated, 4 of Nashville’s 5 reps are defensemen. Probably the most spectacular participant, nonetheless, has been Canadian ahead Kyle Turris, who presently has 5 factors in three video games to his credit score. Fellow Canadian Dante Fabbro has performed a restricted function however has a aim. Roman Josi has been spectacular with three factors in as many video games on Switzerland’s again finish. Yannick Weber (Switzerland) and Mattias Ekholm (Sweden) are with no level.
New Jersey DevilsThe Devils have 5 gamers representing their nation, with USA beginning netminder Cory Schneider among the many most notable. He’s had a so-so match and might want to enhance his play to forestall Thatcher Demko from taking the beginning spot. Nico Hischier has impressed with six factors in three video games for Switzerland, whereas Jesper Bratt has notched two assists in a depth function for Sweden, although he received’t get many probabilities with Landeskog coming into in Sweden’s lineup. Projected first-overall decide Jack Hughes? Nonetheless ready on his first level.
New York RangersThe Rangers have six representatives and three – Adam Fox, Chris Kreider and Brady Skjei – sporting American uniforms. Kreider scored the Three-1 aim to seal the deal in opposition to Nice Britain on Wednesday, whereas Fox and Skjei have held their very own on the purpose. Filip Chytil has one aim for the Czechs. Goalies Henrik Lundqvist (Sweden) and Alexandar Georgiev (Russia) have shared the web for his or her respective nations to this point. For those who’re making ready for the draft, projected second-overall decide Kaapo Kakko has been the speak of the match 5 objectives.
Ottawa SenatorsDespite the common season struggles, Ottawa really appears as if it has a shiny future, notably on the blueline. Christian Jaros (Slovakia) and Thomas Chabot (Canada) have been among the many finest defenders within the match, whereas Christian Wolanin has held the fort as USA’s seventh defenseman. Mikkel Boedker has been good for a weak Danish crew and has three assists. Oh, and Rudolfs Balcers is tied for third in match scoring with six factors for Latvia, as everybody anticipated.
Philadelphia FlyersMuch to Flyers’ followers chagrin, Philadelphia often has a big contingent on the World Championship. This time, it’s 9 gamers. Jakub Voracek has 4 assists for the Czech Republic. Oskar Lindblom is the opposite notable ahead from the Flyers, and the Swedish winger has tallied three objectives in as many video games. Carter Hart is knocking on Matt Murray’s door in hopes of stealing Canada’s beginning function heading into the playoff spherical, with fellow Canadian Sean Couturier trying to escape up entrance. He has only one aim to this point.  
Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Penguins have seven gamers on the World Championship, and Swedish ahead Patric Hornqvist has been the largest standout. He’s tied with Finland’s Kaapo Kakko for the match lead with 5 objectives. Evgeni Malkin hasn’t discovered the again of the web but however does have three assists to his credit score. Murray has had an up-and-down match to this point and might want to step up his play earlier than the elimination portion begins. Teddy Blueger has regarded good with a aim and three factors for Latvia.
Tampa Bay LightningNobody really anticipated the Lightning to be out at this level within the playoffs, however Tampa Bay’s loss has been Russia’s achieve with Nikita Kucherov shaking a brutal playoff effort and lighting the lamp early for Russia with six factors via three contests. Andrei Vasilevskiy has been excellent to this point, along with his 23-save shutout in opposition to the Czech Republic on Monday including to his splendid physique of labor this 12 months. Mathieu Joseph and Anthony Cirelli have each scored for Canada, whereas defenseman Erik Cernak has been one in all Slovakia’s finest two-way gamers.
Toronto Maple LeafsWilliam Nylander earned greater than his fair proportion of criticism this season, however he’s had a improbable finish to the season with Sweden. Heading into Wednesday, Nylander led the match with eight factors and has proven nice chemistry with Hornqvist and Wennberg. Elsewhere, Martin Marincin has proven promise with Slovakia and has 4 factors in his first three video games. Russian defenseman Nikita Zaitsev scored an empty-net aim on Monday.
Vancouver CanucksOf Vancouver’s six gamers on the World Championship, most anticipated Sweden’s Elias Pettersson to be essentially the most noticeable. And whereas he has been stable, notching three assists, it’s fellow Canuck Loui Eriksson who has been one in all Sweden’s finest gamers. Eriksson has 4 factors within the spherical robin. Quinn Hughes has had restricted motion with the People, however has regarded good in a defensive function with Fox. How how will Werenski’s arrival change issues, although? In the meantime, Demko made some good saves in his males’s match debut in opposition to Nice Britain for america and will earn extra begins alongside the way in which.
Vegas Golden KnightsIf Canada earns a medal in the long run, it’ll seemingly be because of the play of Mark Stone, Jonathan Marchessault and Shea Theodore. The trio has mixed for 9 factors and has usually been efficient no matter opponent. Nikita Gusev, who signed with the Golden Knights through the playoffs however has but to play a recreation, has 5 factors in three video games for Russia and is at all times one in all Russia’s finest gamers in worldwide play.
Washington CapitalsThe Danes misplaced one in all their most vital gamers on Wednesday as an upper-body damage pressured Lars Eller out of the match after his huge four-point efficiency in opposition to Nice Britain. Washington remains to be effectively represented, however Alex Ovechkin is one in all simply 4 Russian forwards with no level. Evgeny Kuznetsov has just one level, too. Jakub Vrana has been good for the Czechs with three factors, however that’s about it by way of output from the Capitals’ World Championship contingent.
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Tags: iihf, worldwide hockey, nhl, world championshipConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.