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Behind the Mask

October 16. 2021

Behind The Mask

With Kelly Hrudey

Well the season opened with some great action and this week appears to promise the same. Let's have a look at some early eye openers.

Sunday, October 17, 2021: vs

Beware the Kraken! Starting out with a thrashing of Washington and then losing in overtime to Edmonton, Seattle look to give the RSHL teams fits this year. A tough loss earlier today to the New York Islanders was a setback but they hung in there. Tyler Bozak has started quickly with three goals already. The Devils blew out Montreal in their opener and subsequently got outscored 9-3 in their next two games. Jack Campbell got roughed up but I expect him to bounce back in this one at home.

Prediction
vs
2 3
Actual
vs
2 3


Monday, October 18, 2021: vs

The Stars were stunned in their season opener with a 4-2 loss at the hands of the New York Rangers. Linus Ullmark has taken over the goaltending duties from Matt Murray and looked shaky. Dallas will need him to step up. The Whalers managed a 3-3 tie with the goal scoring machine Detroit RedWings. They'll need to lock it down against Mika Zibanejad and company entering this early season home and home affair with Dallas.

Prediction (OT)
vs
2 2
Actual
vs
0 2


Wednesday, October 20, 2021: vs

Really looking forward to this one. St.Louis have started out on fire and look to give the Columbus Bluejackets a run for the division title this year. Duncan Keith seems to be enjoying his new team and role in St.Louis. Equally impressive are the Avalanche as they snowballed Chicago and played to a hard fought 2-2 tie with Columbus. Brock Nelson had quite a week with three goals and three assists to earn Player of the Week honors.

Prediction
vs
2 4
Actual
vs
2 1


Friday, October 22, 2021: vs

Vincent Trocheck gave Brock Nelson a run for Player of the Week honors also scoring three goals and adding three assists in two games. Keep an eye or two on the line of Trocheck centering Kevin Fiala and Connor Brown. They look great! The Penguins defense will be tested but if it's one thing they know how to do, is play it close to the vest. A 2-0 victory against Ottawa is a testament of their close checking style.

Prediction
vs
2 1
Actual (OT)
vs
2 3


Wednesday, October 20, 2021: vs

Believe me when I say I do try and give every team an opportunity to be featured in my game of the week but when I saw this matchup I couldn't pass on this one. As you may have heard, Florida won the inaugural GoW with a hard fought 1-0 victory against the New York Islanders. This week they take on another perennial contender in the Edmonton Oilers. Florida haven't skipped a beat from last season with the said victory against the Islanders and subsequently with a 5-1 dismantling of Ottawa. The Cats look solid again this year especially being backstopped by the unbelievable goaltending of Andre Vasilevski. I am so impressed with his calm demeanor even when things become a little hectic in the crease. He is truly a treat to watch. Speaking of players to be watched, Edmonton has no shortage of them either but there's one in particular everyone enjoys seeing play. Connor McDavid is a gifted young man who just seems to dance on the ice. Vasilevski will have to be sharp in this one but he'll also have his attention divided because of another exceptional player in Artemi Panarin. The devastating winger doesn't look out of place on McDavid's wing and currently leads the team in scoring. This should be another classic.

Prediction (OT)
vs
2 3
Actual
vs
1 3


Alright then there you go with another great lineup of games. Enjoy all the action and as always your feedback is appreciated. Stay safe and we'll see you again next week. KH

10/16/2021
Your Call    |    Now closed

100% wrong but extremely well written and enjoyable. We love us some Hrudey

10/16/2021 7:39:31 PM PT

He wasn't 100% wrong last week lol

10/16/2021 7:47:54 PM PT

Excellent!

10/16/2021 8:02:26 PM PT

Great read

10/16/2021 9:22:00 PM PT

Although the cats did seem to take today off in Toronto

10/17/2021 9:17:04 AM PT

looks like first day was PERFECT, so can't be 100% wrong

10/17/2021 2:38:10 PM PT

👏

10/19/2021 2:02:57 PM PT