Browsing: scoring

It wasnâ€t a classic but the chorus from the Santiago Bernabéu was. It had been a while and they had missed moments such as this – but for the first time since April Foolâ€s Day, Jude Bellingham stood before the south end with his arms wide, listening to them sing Hey Jude. There had been a shoulder injury, doubts about his role too, but now he had scored his first goal of the season, ultimately taking Real Madrid to a 1-0 win against a Juventus team that arenâ€t what they once were but who made a match of it. “We had to sweat for it,†Thibaut Courtois said.

He knew better than anyone, having to rescue a one‑on‑one from Dusan Vlahovic and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the very last minute to leave Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudorâ€s side below the cut in this league phase. At the end of a match with more shots than football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, those saves a great opportunity wasted on 85 minutes; their reality, though, makes worrying reading.

“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,†Xabi Alonso had said and Juventus, who had not won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again at the end. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened in transition, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahovic linking, and fired off 12 shots to go with 27 from the home side.

They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes they thought they were away, Vlahovic a little unfortunate to be penalised for pulling at Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahovic when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennieâ€s shot was pushed past the post.

What followed, from Federico Gattiâ€s drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the Italian sideâ€s momentum had too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who would not be Alonsoâ€s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.

The best moments came from Arda Guler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then with some lovely fast footwork he turned Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.

Jude Bellingham tucks the ball home from close range for the only goal of the game in Real Madridâ€s victory over Juventus. Photograph: Violeta Santos Moura/Reuters

The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahovic was away. The “assist†had been quite something, Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahovic raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois saved.

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Then what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that strikerâ€s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

Quick GuideChampions League roundup: Karl and Kane make mark for BayernShow

Harry Kane scored his 23rd goal in 15 games for club and country this season as Bayern Munich cruised to a 4-0 victory over Club Brugge. The 17-year-old Lennart Karl became the youngest Bayern player to find the back of the net in the Champions League when he opened the scoring with a stylish long-range strike.

The England captain, Kane, then registered for the eighth successive game in club football for the first time in his career before Luis Díaz and Nicolas Jackson wrapped up a comprehensive win to leave Bayern second in the Champions League table after three matches.

Gorka Guruzeta scored twice as Athletic Club bounced back to beat Qarabag 3-1 and belatedly open their account. Leandro Andrade had given the visitors a first-minute lead, but Guruzeta levelled before the break and, after Robert Navarro had given the hosts the lead, Guruzeta cemented victory with his second two minutes from time.

Victor Osimhen helped himself to a double to ease Galatasaray to a 3-1 home win over Bodø/Glimt while second-half goals from the substitutes Geny Catamo and Alisson Santos handed Sporting a 2-1 comeback win over Marseille, who had Emerson sent off. PA Media

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It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellinghamâ€s first of the season the last of the match and he said: “Itâ€s a great feeling, a long time now since Iâ€ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, itâ€s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.â€

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  Sean AllenOct 21, 2025, 03:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Is it really enough for a player to provide almost nothing but hits and blocked shots in fantasy hockey? Can those categories pile up at such a rate that managers can overlook empty returns elsewhere?

Based on the early returns this season … well, yeah.

Take the case of Brayden McNabb. The Vegas Golden Knights defender currently sits 16th among all blueliners in total fantasy points this season with 13.0. Aside from a single shot on goal, 12.9 of those fantasy points have come from his nine hits and 24 blocked shots. He is the epitome of earning value through defensive hustle alone, but he’s not alone.

Jump ahead: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

Player, PositionTeamPercent of
leagues availableFPHBSBrayden McNabb, DVegas Golden Knights57%12.9Andrew Peeke, DBoston Bruins86%12Nikita Zadorov, DBoston Bruins56%11.4Darnell Nurse, DEdmonton Oilers13%11.2Adam Larsson, DSeattle Kraken38%10.1Conor Timmins, DBuffalo Sabres99%9.8Jared Spurgeon, DMinnesota Wild48%9.7Erik Cernak, DTampa Bay Lightning96%9.6Tyler Myers, DVancouver Canucks80%9.3Mike Matheson, DMontreal Canadiens4%8.6Shea Theodore, DVegas Golden Knights28%8.5Braden Schneider, DNew York Rangers95%8.5Jake Middleton, DMinnesota Wild67%8.5Brett Pesce, DNew Jersey Devils97%8.4Auston Matthews, CToronto Maple Leafs0%8.4Simon Edvinsson, DDetroit Red Wings37%8.2Joel Hanley, DCalgary Flames100%8.2Thomas Harley, DDallas Stars6%8.2Victor Hedman, DTampa Bay Lightning1%7.9Nick Seeler, DPhiladelphia Flyers96%7.9Charlie McAvoy, DBoston Bruins5%7.8Alexandre Carrier, DMontreal Canadiens99%7.7Mikhail Sergachev, DUtah Mammoth5%7.7Travis Sanheim, DPhiladelphia Flyers40%7.7Adam Fox, DNew York Rangers1%7.5Alexander Romanov, DNew York Islanders71%7.5Ryan Lindgren, DSeattle Kraken100%7.5Dylan DeMelo, DWinnipeg Jets91%7.5Mattias Ekholm, DEdmonton Oilers46%7.4Radko Gudas, DAnaheim Ducks76%7.4Jacob Trouba, DAnaheim Ducks40%7.3

Why 31? Because it felt wrong to cut off the list right before this generation’s rock star for FPHBS. Trouba has either led the league or threatened to do so in this category for several years.

Matthews stands alone in a sea of blueliners here, showcasing his renewed defensive focus. One of the game’s top snipers has blocked 16 shots through six games. If the power play starts clicking for the Leafs soon, Matthews could quickly become the leader in overall fantasy points.

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What jumps out most from that list is how many of these names have little or no offensive upside, yet they’re carrying steady value week to week. Peeke and Zadorov aren’t even defense partners for the Bruins, yet both benefit from the team’s physical play so far this season. Peeke is second in the league in blocked shots, while Zadorov is second in hits.

Of course, the real fantasy gold comes when a player contributes in those physical categories and chips in offense. Theodore fits that mold perfectly. Vegas has leaned on a five-forward power play early, but with Mark Stone sidelined for several weeks, Theodore will reclaim the quarterback role. That means some added offensive punch to the blocks foundation that’s already keeping him fantasy-relevant — the kind of blend that separates useful depth from true difference-makers.

Mikhail Sergachev is another example, with zero points but a solid base from the physical stats. We know he’ll start scoring eventually given his role as the Mammoth’s top offensive option on the blue line.

Goalie notes

Here’s this week’s goaltending snapshot, showing crease shares, fantasy production, and key notes where relevant.

Buffalo Sabres in six games (four last week):

• Alex Lyon (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 17.6/16.2, 84.4% available)

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Shutting out the defending champs and earning positive points in a loss to the Avalanche, it’s not like Lyon is getting a soft schedule to earn these fantasy points. There’s no clear timetable for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to return, so Lyon has some medium-term appeal now that the Sabres have remembered how to score.

Columbus Blue Jackets in five games (three last week):

• Jet Greaves (crease share season/week: 59.8%/66.8%, fantasy points season/week: 7.4/5.4, 91.2% available)

• Elvis Merzlikins (crease share season/week: 40.2%/33.2%, fantasy points season/week: 6.0/0.4, 73.1% available)

Keep your finger on the acquisition button for Greaves, as this already looks close to a 50-50 split of the crease, which is all Greaves needs to be worth a roster spot based on how he closed out last season.

Chicago Blackhawks in seven games (four last week):

• Spencer Knight (crease share season/week: 71.6%/75.8%, fantasy points season/week: 18.8/19.0, 70.8% available)

• Arvid Soderblom (crease share season/week: 28.4%/24.2%, fantasy points season/week: 1.4/2.6, 99.7% available)

Knight is getting a ton of volume and doing enough to earn positive points even when the ‘Hawks lose. Already he seems like a goaltender worth having as a third goalie in leagues with daily lineups, as long as you bench him for the toughest of matchups.

Detroit Red Wings in six games (four last week):

• Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 55.7%/49.2%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/13.6, 63.8% available)

• John Gibson (crease share season/week: 44.3%/50.8%, fantasy points season/week: 3.0/11.4, 77.5% available)

Los Angeles Kings in six games (three last week):

• Anton Forsberg (crease share season/week: 50.8%/65.6%, fantasy points season/week: -1.4/-1.4, 98.4% available)

• Darcy Kuemper (crease share season/week: 49.2%/34.4%, fantasy points season/week: -5.8/-0.4, 19.5% available)

Kuemper is not expected to be out for a long time, but his absence could drag out another week or so while the Kings are on the road.

Montreal Canadiens in seven games (four last week):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 56.6%/49.4%, fantasy points season/week: -2.4/-4.8, 26.1% available)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 43.4%/50.6%, fantasy points season/week: 17.4/9.4, 84.9% available)

New Jersey Devils in five games (four last week):

• Jake Allen (crease share season/week: 53.5%/88.9%, fantasy points season/week: 12.2/12.2, 87.8% available)

• Jacob Markstrom (crease share season/week: 46.5%/11.1%, fantasy points season/week: -0.2/3.6, 42.7% available)

Allen gets the crease for at least two weeks. He’s definitely worth starting for the entire run if your lineup locks, but it’d be better if you could move him and and out of your lineup; To avoid the home-and-home with the Avalanche, for example.

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Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Jake Allen makes big-time save vs. Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers in six games (four last week):

• Dan Vladar (crease share season/week: 66.0%/75.5%, fantasy points season/week: 16.4/14.0, 92.1% available)

• Samuel Ersson (crease share season/week: 34.0%/24.5%, fantasy points season/week: -6.0/-6.0, 97.1% available)

Pittsburgh Penguins in six games (three last week):

• Arturs Silovs (crease share season/week: 50.2%/33.5%, fantasy points season/week: 10.8/6.0, 89.4% available)

• Tristan Jarry (crease share season/week: 49.8%/66.5%, fantasy points season/week: 13.6/8.8, 71.1% available)

Vegas Golden Knights in seven games (six last week):

• Adin Hill (crease share season/week: 51.1%/37.5%, fantasy points season/week: 1.8/5.6, 10.0% available)

• Akira Schmid (crease share season/week: 48.9%/62.5%, fantasy points season/week: 14.0/12.0, 95.0% available)

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With the success the Golden Knights are having, Schmid becomes a must-add with Hill’s injury on Monday. Carter Hart isn’t available to the team until December, so any extended absence for Hill will mean a steady diet of Schmid.

Washington Capitals in six games (three last week):

• Logan Thompson (crease share season/week: 67.0%/67.8%, fantasy points season/week: 14.6/8.0, 9.7% available)

• Charlie Lindgren (crease share season/week: 33.0%/32.2%, fantasy points season/week: 10.0/-4.0, 46.7% available)

Power-play notes

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Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Florida Panthers vs. Buffalo Sabres: Game Highlights

Josh Doan, RW, Buffalo Sabres (available in 89.8%): The Sabres finally got a power play working this past week and the ultimate combo was a little unexpected. No Alex Tuch, but Doan and Zach Benson were on the top unit. Doan managed three power-play points as the attack came together to collectively average four shots every two minutes on the advantage.

Victor Olofsson, RW, Colorado Avalanche (available in 97.8%): It might not be Olofsson that ultimately sticks and becomes fantasy relevant, but note that the Avs are tinkering with their power-play deployment as they look to sail out of the advantage doldrums. Olofsson replaced Artturi Lehkonen on the top unit Saturday, but they still didn’t manage a goal.

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Trevor Moore, RW, Los Angeles Kings (available in 97.2%): With an injured Anze Kopitar, the Kings stuck to their five-forward power-play guns, moving Moore up to the top unit. That means neither Drew Doughty nor Brandt Clarke are getting the access they need on the advantage, even with the team’s best forward on the sidelines.

Ridly Greig, C, Ottawa Senators (available in 97.8%): A mainstay on the top unit since Brady Tkachuk was injured, we can probably skip Greig on rosters for now. If this power-play unit heats up though, he can be a streaming option.

Dmitry Orlov, D, San Jose Sharks (available in 93.7%): John Klingberg is considered day-to-day, but now we have the answer about who gets to quarterback the advantage in his absence.

Nick Schmaltz, RW, Utah Mammoth (available in 31.6%): This top unit for the Mammoth has been very steady and offers fantasy appeal all around. Schmaltz is the most available of all of them and he quietly leads the team in shots on goal.

Conor Garland, RW, Vancouver Canucks (available in 44.6%): There have been three players on the ice as part of the units that scored all four Canucks power-play goals this season. Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson are no surprises, but Garland has been the third consistent presence.

Shea Theodore, D, Vegas Golden Knights (available in 28.3%): As mentioned at the top of this column, Theodore slides into Mark Stone’s spot on the top power-play unit as Stone is out for a couple of weeks.

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Alex Iafallo, LW, Winnipeg Jets (available in 96.7%): With Cole Perfetti still expected out for a few weeks, it may be time to consider streaming in Iafallo if you need some power-play help. He has what is likely Perfetti’s role on the top unit and has been picking up more than his fair share of stats.

Droppables

Andrei Svechnikov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes (rostered in 62.4%): Appearing on what is essentially the fourth line in some games, Svechnikov isn’t getting time on the top power-play unit either. He has been a volume-driven fantasy producer in the past, so without the volume, he isn’t going to help your roster.

Brandt Clarke, D, Los Angeles Kings (rostered in 57.6%): As mentioned above in the power-play notes, the Kings are very much committed to a five-forward advantage. That means Clarke doesn’t even have the opportunity to compete with Doughty for looks on the top unit. Neither of them will be there.

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One of the things I like most about table tennis is the way it connects people. At my local club, youâ€ll see players of all ages, backgrounds, playing levels, personal stories, etc., playing together and having tons of fun.

Two people who would not have spent 5 minutes talking together could become lifelong friends through table tennis. I have seen this time and time again, and it has also happened to me.

However, one of the most difficult gaps to bridge is the level gap. This often prevents what we just mentioned from happening: making friends and having fun, which is what weâ€re all looking for, after all.

In this article, Iâ€ll tell you why I think playing with a handicap is the perfect solution for this problem and one of the best ways to spend time playing table tennis altogether.

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Why You Should Play with Handicap

The result of playing with handicap is nothing short of incredible: you could take any two table tennis players and have both play a perfectly even match, no matter the level of each of them.

And, the byproduct of this is that people of different levels get to play much more interesting matches and connect on a deeper level.

If you think about it, most beginners wonâ€t ask advanced or semi-pro players for matches because theyâ€ll feel a bit intimidated or worried that the other player wonâ€t have fun.

Conversely, the more advanced players will many times just stick to playing similar-level opposition because they havenâ€t interacted with the beginners enough to form a meaningful connection.

In addition, both parties may think that the match wonâ€t be interesting enough, as the beginner would likely get battered every game.

This is why handicap is the ideal solution. By playing with enough handicap, both players get to have fun, and anyone can win.

Whatâ€s more, it makes matches even more interesting because it will make the higher-ranked player try hard to win, giving the lower-ranked player match experience against higher-quality shots than theyâ€re used to.

How Handicap Works

There are many ways and cool methods to play with handicap (more on this later!), but they all serve the same purpose, which is leveling two players so that the chances of winning are as even as possible. A good handicap match should be a 50-50 contest.

This is achieved by giving the lower-ranked player a point head start in every game. How to determine that head start depends on the handicap system that you use.

Regardless of the system, the result should be that both players are playing seriously.

Handicap Systems

There are two main handicap systems: the regular system and the dynamic system.

Regular System

The regular system is the simplest one.

The way it works is that, depending on the level difference between the two players, a set handicap is determined, and all the games have the same handicap.

Here in Argentina, we usually give 2 points per division. So, if player A is in the second division and player B is in the fourth division, player B would start every game 4-0 up.

In countries where there are no divisions (Iâ€m looking at you, US!), you can do x amount of points per y amount of rating point difference.

So, for example, you could do 1 point per game per 100 USATT points of difference.

Dynamic System

The dynamic system is, in my opinion, the better of the two systems. I think itâ€s more accurate.

It works by determining a set amount of handicap points, exactly like the regular system.

To explain the difference between the dynamic system and the regular system, weâ€ll use the same example: Player A is a second division player, Player B is a fourth division player, and will start 4-0 up.

The thing is, player B will start 4-0 up only for the first game. Then, depending on the result of that game, the handicap goes up or down one point.

So, if player A wins the first game, player B will start the second game 5-0 up. If player B wins the first game, theyâ€d start the second game with just a 3-point lead.

This holds true for the whole duration of the match. So, if player A takes a 2-0 lead, player B would start the third game 6-0 up (4 head start + 1 for losing the first game + 1 for losing the second game).

In my opinion, this makes the dynamic system more accurate than the regular one, because if you set the handicap too low or too high, it adjusts itself as the match is played.

How to Win a Handicap Match

Because handicap matches are very different than regular matches, they can be played slightly differently from a strategic standpoint to make the most out of them. Weâ€ll now share our tips for winning a handicap match.

How to Win Against a Handicap

If youâ€re the higher-ranked player, I have three tips for you.

First and foremost, manage your mindset. Don’t get frustrated if you find yourself down 0-6 or even 0-8 early in a game, this is exactly how handicap matches are designed to work.

Remember that you earned your ranking through skill and experience, and those same qualities will help you overcome the point deficit. Stay patient and concentrate on executing your game plan.

Secondly, I would advise that you stick to your strengths and use them over and over.

For example, if youâ€re an advanced player with a strong forehand loop, in a match against a player with a similar ranking, chances are that the other player will somehow find a way to adjust. This holds for all playing styles.

Youâ€ll probably be able to use your strong forehand, but your opponent will do everything in their power to avoid it so that you arenâ€t able to use it every point.

Against a lower-ranked player, however, chances are that they wonâ€t be able to adjust in such a way.

Your serves and set plays will have much more quality than theyâ€re used to, and youâ€ll find that youâ€ll be able to use your strengths much more often.

Our third tip is to try to make use of the difference in shot quality.

Against a lower-ranked player, chances are that your spinniest serve will provoke errors from the receiver, your spinny open-ups will be harder to block, a heavy push may result in them missing their open-ups, etc.

So, throw everything you have against your opponent in terms of shot quality, and chances are youâ€ll win the match.

How to Win With a Handicap

Before discussing tactical approaches, it’s important to understand the psychological advantage that handicap gives you.

Use the point lead as a confidence builder – you’ve essentially already won several points before the game begins!

This mental cushion should free you up to play more aggressively and take calculated risks.

Our top tip for winning with a handicap is to take risks.

If youâ€re the lower-rated player and you have a points advantage, we recommend that you go for your shots. This isnâ€t to say that you have to attack every ball with 100% power, but we do encourage you to play hard shots without fear.

This is also the perfect opportunity to practice those riskier serves you’ve been working on in training.

Since you have a points buffer, you can afford to experiment with serves that might not work in regular match play. The experience of successfully executing these serves against a higher-ranked player will build your confidence for future matches.

If you have a handicap, you can afford to make mistakes, using that point advantage.

If you play safely, your opponent will likely overpower you, so itâ€s much better to stand your ground and go for your shots without fear.

Try serving long, powerlooping, flat hitting, playing unexpected shots, etc.

What this achieves has a two-fold effect:

1) Youâ€ll likely win enough of these points, but also

2) That your opponent will have a sense of urgency to attack themselves, and this will lead to some errors of their own.

Donâ€t play safely because otherwise your opponent will be able to impose their game risk-free: they know you donâ€t pose as much of a threat because you donâ€t attack them.

Donâ€t “respect†the higher-ranked player. Play as if you wanted to win 11-0, even if there was no handicap. If youâ€re able to execute this plan, chances are youâ€ll win the match.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Like anything in table tennis, playing with handicap takes some practice to get right. Here are the main pitfalls I’ve seen players fall into:

Incorrect Handicap Assessment

The most common mistake is not setting the right handicap from the start. Many players either give too many points (making matches boring for the stronger player) or too few points (defeating the purpose of handicap).

If you’re using the regular system, it’s better to start with a slightly higher handicap and then adjust down if needed. The primary goal is to create a 50-50 match.

The Mental Game

I often see players not taking handicap matches seriously enough. Some higher-ranked players treat them as “just for fun” matches, while some lower-ranked players feel their wins “don’t really count.”

Both these mindsets miss the point.

A handicap match should be treated like any other competitive match. That’s how both players get the most benefit from it.

Inconsistent Systems

At many clubs, players use different handicap systems or point calculations. This creates confusion and makes it harder to establish a consistent handicap culture at the club.

It’s better to agree on one system (I recommend the dynamic system) and stick to it. This way, everyone knows what to expect when playing handicap matches.

The Pride Problem

Some advanced players refuse to play handicap matches because they don’t want to “give away” points.

This is a shame because they’re missing out on great practice opportunities and the chance to help develop newer players.

The handicap exists to create an even playing field, not to diminish anyone’s abilities.

Refusing to Adjust

The final pitfall is stubbornly sticking to handicap numbers that clearly aren’t working.

If one player is consistently winning or losing by a large margin, the handicap needs to be adjusted.

Don’t be afraid to change the handicap between matches or switch to the dynamic system if the regular system isn’t working for you.

Good Luck With Your Handicap Matches

I strongly believe that handicap matches are one of the best ways to play table tennis. They allow players of any level to have meaningful, competitive matches together while improving their game.

If you’re a beginner, don’t be afraid to ask stronger players for handicap matches – you might be surprised at how much fun both of you will have.

If you’re an advanced player, propose handicap games to newer players at your club. You’ll help grow the sport while getting some quality practice yourself.

Remember: table tennis is about having fun and connecting with others.

Handicap matches help achieve both these goals, making our sport even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Alvaroâ€s a qualified ITTF Level 1 Coach who’s been playing Table Tennis since he was 15 and is now ranked within the top 50 in his native Argentina. He loves to compete in provincial tournaments and is always looking for ways to improve. Alvaro made his favorite memories with a racket in hand, and he joined the RacketInsight team to share his passion with other players!

Blade: Butterfly Fan Zhendong ALC | Forehand: Butterfly Dignics 09c | Backhand: Butterfly Tenergy 19
Playstyle: The Controller

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Oct 18, 2025, 01:06 AM ET

SALT LAKE CITY — Nick Schmaltz came into the night scoreless over the Utah Mammoth’s first four games this season. He broke through in a big way Friday night against the San Jose Sharks.

Schmaltz had three goals and an assist, and the Mammoth beat the Sharks 6-3 for their third win in four games.

“I feel like I’ve had a lot of chances early on in the season here,” Schmaltz said. “I’m trying to shoot the puck more, take it to the net, be around the net more. Couple guys made some great plays to find me in open areas. It was fun to see [them] go in there for me.”

Utah coach Andre Tourigny believed Schmaltz was due to get on the scoreboard.

Nick Schmaltz came into the night scoreless over the Mammoth’s first four games but broke through in a big way, recording three goals and an assist in Utah’s win over San Jose. Rob Gray/Imagn Images

“Since the start of the season, he’s been playing really good,” Tourigny said. “He’s had a lot of opportunities. He reloads really well, both sides of the puck, he’s a threat. He gets inside a lot. It was a matter of time … today was the day.”

Schmaltz scored his first goal 9:39 into the first period as he converted a one-timer off a pass from Logan Cooley on the inside edge of the right circle on a five-on-three power play.

Schmaltz got his second of the night less than four minutes later as he got a pass from Clayton Keller and fired a shot into the top left corner past Yaroslav Askarov.

The Sharks tied it with a pair of goals 1:50 apart in the second.

After Liam O’Brien regained Utah’s lead with 3:51 left in the middle period, Schmaltz finished his second career hat trick 54 seconds into the third. He got a pass from Keller — who had assists on each of Schmaltz’s three goals — from behind the net and scored from the left side to push Utah’s lead to 4-2.

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“It was awesome, especially in front of our home fans,” said Schmaltz, whose first hat trick came for Arizona against St. Louis on Jan. 26, 2023. “Shout-out to my grandpa, he’s watched me play two times now, in Arizona and here, and he’s seen a hat trick both times.”

Schmaltz then set up Keller for a goal with 8½ minutes to go to push the Mammoth’s lead to 6-2, giving both players four points on the night.

“Just a high give-and-go. I saw him open, and he made a great shot to finish it.”

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  Sean AllenOct 14, 2025, 05:00 PM ET

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  Sean Allen is a contributing writer for fantasy hockey and betting at ESPN. He was the 2008 and 2009 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year.

Individual performance can only take a player so far in a fantasy manager’s esteem.

That is true for the most part. Your Nathan MacKinnon’s and Nikita Kucherov’s of the world notwithstanding, it’s important who a player shares the ice with when determining the hopes for their fantasy forecast.

Imagine you played in a fantasy hockey league in which, instead of drafting players, you drafted lines or defense pairings. And imagine you only got fantasy points from those lines or pairings when all the players in each unit was on the ice at 5-on-5.

In reality, our fantasy picks aren’t literally joined at the hip in this way, but it’s a good visualization of which lines are clicking or which pairs are working at the dawn of the season.

Here are the top lines by total fantasy points earned, but only when all three members are on the ice together at even strength.

Fantasy points

Forward line

Team

TOI20.6Colorado Avalanche45:5915.4Columbus Blue Jackets33:3713.4Los Angeles Kings38:5213.3Winnipeg Jets33:2112.9Chicago Blackhawks35:2712.1Detroit Red Wings29:3212.0Pittsburgh Penguins27:4211.8Montreal Canadiens22:2411.5Ottawa Senators20:4211.4Nashville Predators25:36

The takeaway here is simple: grab a piece of these lines where you can. Lehkonen, who is still available in 60% of ESPN leagues, is an obvious first target. But Monahan (73.0%) and Kuzmenko (81.7%) are also accessible ways into some of the top lines.

The Blackhawks unit should be widely available and all three have been getting power-play time with Connor Bedard.

In deeper leagues, Brazeau and Mantha will only go as far as Malkin carries them — and he tends to run hot and cold in recent seasons.

Jump ahead: Goalies | Power Play | Droppables

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But the gem to highlight overall here is Zack Bolduc (C, Montreal Canadiens, available in 40.3%). His even-strength line with veteran Gallagher and a healthy Dach has been getting fantasy points together in every standard ESPN category. Which is fine information on its own, but if we take the 5-on-5 restriction off on the points by line combinations, the Habs top power-play checks in with 12.8 fantasy points by Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky and Bolduc.

Meaning Bolduc is a part of two, separate top 20 fantasy lines in the early going. His role on the top PP wasn’t a sure thing before the season, with rookie Ivan Demidov expected to get reps. But Bolduc makes sense as a specialist, especially given his run on power-play stats late last season with the St. Louis Blues.

Fantasy points

Defense pair

Team

TOI9.8Dallas Stars23:359.6Washington Capitals37:318.9Los Angeles Kings45:338.4Boston Bruins40:338.3Colorado Avalanche48:167.6Carolina Hurricanes25:227.5Toronto Maple Leafs39:517.4New York Islanders40:237.3Los Angeles Kings49:317.2San Jose Sharks26:05

Defense is a little different. You don’t necessarily want to just get “access” to a pair, as the points are muted and there isn’t quite as much trickle down points to be had. For example, Carlo doesn’t belong on fantasy rosters just because he and Rielly are a top 10 duo for fantasy. But there are still some possible back-end roster options that crystalize.

Lundkvist, Fehervary, Ferraro and Zadorov all have a case to be on rosters in deeper leagues.

The ice time allotted to Gostisbehere is probably the most actionable item though, as pairing up with Nikishin is boosting his overall totals. He was sheltered by the Canes at 5-on-5 last season, but this partnership is working exceptionally well so far. In addition to being in the mix for the lead on duo fantasy points, the Hurricanes have scored five goals while this pair is on the ice — most in the NHL for a pairing — and allowed only one.

Gostisbehere is available in 40.7% of leagues, with Nikishin available in 89.5%.

Goalie notes

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0:15

Cam Talbot robs Maple Leafs with save

Cam Talbot robs Maple Leafs with save

Obviously the “this week” and “season” statistics here are basically the same thing, but to stick with the format we’ll use all season, we’ll keep it. There’s not a lot to say about the goaltending field yet beyond a few injuries, as there just isn’t enough of a sample to plant any flags anew.

Colorado Avalanche in four games (four last week):

• Scott Wedgewood (crease share season/week: 100.0%/100.0%, fantasy points season/week: 19.4/19.4, 50.7% available)

We went through some of this “will he, won’t he” with Wedgewood last season, as he flirted with stealing extra playing time from Mackenzie Blackwood following a few strong performances before the trade that brought the tandem together. But the Avs handed Blackwood both the reins and the contract, so there won’t be much debate about who’s No. 1 once he’s healthy (possibly later this week). Still, Wedgewood retains value in daily lineup formats given his results to date and a likely 35% crease share.

Detroit Red Wings in three games (four last week):

• Cam Talbot (crease share season/week: 79.3%/79.3%, fantasy points season/week: 10.4/10.4, 90.1% available)

• John Gibson (crease share season/week: 20.7%/20.7%, fantasy points season/week: -8.4/-8.4, 76.8% available)

Well, this is an awkward start, isn’t it? We can’t write off Gibson just yet, but Talbot has gone from an afterthought to a must-roster goalie overnight. Hopefully your fantasy season doesn’t hinge on this crease battle, but value is value and it looks like the Red Wings might win enough games to make it matter.

Montreal Canadiens in three games (three last week):

• Sam Montembeault (crease share season/week: 66.3%/66.3%, fantasy points season/week: 2.4/2.4, 19.8% available)

• Jakub Dobes (crease share season/week: 33.6%/33.6%, fantasy points season/week: 8.0/8.0, 94.2% available)

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A rock-solid opening stretch for this duo, with Dobes continuing to answer the bell whenever called upon. The next few weeks should clarify how the starts are divided, but for now, it’s not quite time to scoop up Dobes. If his share pushes past 40%, it might be.

Utah Mammoth in three games (three last week):

• Karel Vejmelka (crease share season/week: 66.9%/66.9%, fantasy points season/week: 5.0/5.0, 65.7% available)

• Vitek Vanecek (crease share season/week: 33.1%/33.1%, fantasy points season/week: -1.8/-1.8, 99.0% available)

With Vanecek’s start already out of the way on Monday, Vejmelka could take all three of the Mammoth’s remaining games this week. After facing the Flames, Sharks and Bruins, his availability percentage might look a lot different than it does now.

Power-play notes

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0:48

Leo Carlsson wins it in OT for the Ducks

Leo Carlsson lifts the Ducks with a clutch goal in overtime to defeat the Sharks 7-6.

Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks (available in 76.7%): The Ducks have been dumping buckets of pucks at their two opponents so far this season. Carlsson is absolutely central to their attack and his role on the power-play is a prime one.

Sean Monahan, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (available in 73.0%): With 3:24 of power-play time per game so far, Monahan is helping drive the top unit for the Blue Jackets. That wasn’t guaranteed given Adam Fantilli’s continued emergence, but it strengthens the case for Monahan as an early-season waiver add, especially considering his top-line role at 5-on-5.

Sam Rinzel, D, Chicago Blackhawks (available in 80.0%): In 11:04 of total power-play time so far, Chicago’s top unit has managed only five shots on goal, while the second unit cashed in during Monday’s win. If the top group doesn’t start clicking soon, Rinzel is the most likely swap-out for a new look, with Artyom Levshunov and PP specialist Matt Grzelcyk waiting in the wings.

David Tomasek, RW, Edmonton Oilers (available in 99.3%): It would be an easier sell if Tomasek had a meaningful 5-on-5 role, but there could still be value here based solely on power-play exposure. He’s locked onto the first unit, which has two goals through two games and is generating plenty of chances.

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Anton Lundell, LW, Florida Panthers (available in 34.1%): The Panthers’ top unit has two power-play goals so far, but the second unit has four in less than half the ice time. Lundell is a must-add across all formats with three power-play points in four games.

Zeev Buium, D, Minnesota Wild (available in 62.9%): With two more power-play goals on Monday, the Wild’s top unit is up to six on the season (and a seventh came when Marco Rossi subbed out for Vladimir Tarasenko). This group is ridiculous, and Buium should be rostered everywhere for the power-play points alone.

Dougie Hamilton, D, New Jersey Devils (available in 14.9%): After two games of balanced power-play units, the Devils swapped Dawson Mercer and Luke Hughes off the first unit for Timo Meier and Dougie Hamilton on Monday. The result? The top unit’s first tally with the man advantage.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, RW, Tampa Bay Lightning (available in 79.1%): It’s likely just an effort to add some punch to the second unit, but for now Bjorkstrand remains a fixture on the first, while Brandon Hagel skates with the second group. If only Bjorkstrand could wedge his way into the top six at 5-on-5.

Droppables

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There aren’t any must-drops this early in the campaign, at least not ones you don’t already know in your heart of hearts. It’s still a little too soon to cut bait on slow starts, but another week or two of weak production will start to separate the expendable from the essential.

In the meantime, here are a few names and early ice-time trends worth monitoring. We’ll revisit with a larger sample size if these players don’t start seeing more minutes.

• Frank Vatrano, RW, Anaheim Ducks (rostered in 76.5%): 12:14 TOI per game, 1.2 FPPG

• Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets (rostered in 95.3%): 15:40 TOI per game, 1.6 FPPG

• Gabriel Landeskog, LW, Colorado Avalanche (rostered in 68.3%): 13:51 TOI per game, 0.5 FPPG

• Ivan Demidov, RW, Montreal Canadiens (rostered in 49.3%): 13:15 TOI per game, 0.4 FPPG

• Matvei Michkov, RW, Philadelphia Flyers (rostered in 87.3%): 14:25 TOI per game, 0.1 FPPG

• Elias Pettersson, C, Vancouver Canucks (rostered in 97.6%): 15:57 TOI per game, 1.5 FPPG

Wait … less than 16 minutes per game for Pettersson? Really? That’s one we’ll be keeping a close eye on in the coming weeks.

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It was a good opening week of the season for the Florida Panthers.

After picking up a pair of one-goal victories over the Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers to kick off their 2025-26 campaign, Florida welcomed the Ottawa Senators to Sunrise on Saturday and earned a resounding 6-2 victory over their divisional rivals.

Despite going into the season without several key players due to injury, the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions have continued humming along, playing their physically challenging brand of hockey while receiving contributions from up and down the lineup.

Florida has also gotten off to an excellent start on special teams. Weâ€ll see if all this success can continue once they hit the road next week.

For now, letâ€s get to the takeaways from Florida capping off a perfect 3-0-0 homestand:

POWER PLAY SUCCESS

The Panthers have scored power play goals in all three of their games so far this season.

Overall, theyâ€ve cashed in five times out of 12 opportunities, good for a 41.7% success rate that will be incredibly difficult to sustain over the course of an entire season.

All kidding aside, there are several reasons why Floridaâ€s power play has been so formidable, as they can throw two very unique units at you that each feature some potent offensive players.

They’re also keeping things relatively simple and leaning on the foundational pieces they began installing early in training camp.

“Weâ€re not overcomplicating it,†said Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. “Obviously we have new units this year, so we did a lot of work in the preseason to try to get everyone in the right spots and everyone understand what the plays are, and just being direct. It really ties into our five-on-five game, there’s nothing crazy about it.â€

STEADY ON PK

Just as Floridaâ€s power play has been a major source of strength, their penalty kill has been equally reliable.

Through three games, the Panthers†PK has killed off each of the seven power plays its been called upon to extinguish, allowing only seven total shots against while down a man.

As Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice pointed out, this yearâ€s killers have done well to replicate the success they found last season and, similarly to what Jones said about the power play, are doing so by keeping things simple.

“I don’t think that they’ve changed much,†Maurice said. “We look a little different on it because of the personnel that’s out, but the structure of it (looks the same). Those defensemen have done a really fine job of being able to play off of different forwards, and we’ve run a lot of different combinations. The D have done a nice job in that structure.â€

CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ALL OVER

Florida has scored 11 goals over their three wins, with nine different players lighting the lamp.

The overall points have been spread evenly throughout the lineup as well.

Four of Floridaâ€s defenseman have multiple points (Seth Jones, Jeff Petry and Gus Forsling each have two assists), and representatives from all four of the Panthers forward lines have scored goals.

“It’s going to be the critical piece,†Maurice said of the teamâ€s depth scoring. “We going to have more nights of two and three (goals), like the first two games, than we will like tonight, so you need to have as many people as you can coming to the rink believing they can get score, that they have that positive feel. I think each line has generated enough that they’re feeling positive about their game, so they don’t really need to change it.â€

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Photo caption: Oct 11, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (11) scores a goal past Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark (35) during the third period at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)

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United States forward Haji Wright said Premier League legend and his Coventry City coach Frank Lampard has played a big role in the American’s brilliant start to the Championship 2025-26 season.

“Lampard has been a big inspiration for me since he came in. He’s shown me a lot of belief, has been able to help me in training and then games to…just perform my best,” said the 27-year-old ahead of a U.S. friendly against Ecuador on Oct. 10.

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“He’s a great player during his time, and now he’s a great person to be around, and he’s very personable, so it’s easy to talk to him whenever I have any questions. He’s up until now gotten the best out of me.”

Following a return from an Achilles injury in the summer that left him out of a majority of the 2025 Gold Cup for the USMNT, Wright has thrived at Coventry with nine goals and an assist in his last 10 games in all competitions.

“I was super excited to be at the Gold Cup and to be with the guys. [It was] disappointing to not be able to really contribute much,” said Wright, who could earn his first USMNT minutes since June on Friday. “I just tried to heal up and get ready for the season, and hopefully earn my spot back into the national [team].”

With the American striker as the Championship’s current leading goalscorer, Coventry are at the top of the table with five wins and four draws from nine games. Lampard’s side have not lost a game in the Championship so far this season.

Following a goal last week in a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield Wednesday, Wright will seek to maintain his form with the USMNT against Ecuador this Friday, and then Australia on Oct. 14 to close out this month’s international break.

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Kylian Mbappé will be assessed after suffering a mild ankle sprain in Real Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villarreal on Saturday, coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed.

Forward Mbappé was substituted in the 83rd minute at the Santiago Bernabéu, two minutes after scoring Madrid’s third goal — a strike which made it a career-best nine consecutive games scoring for club and country.

Madrid will play next on Oct. 19, with LaLiga taking a break for international matches this week.

– Flick unsure if Yamal will return in time for Clásico
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“I can’t say [Mbappé won’t go away with France],” Alonso said in his postmatch news conference. “Right now he has some discomfort. They’ll have to evaluate it with the national team.

“We hope it isn’t serious. But right now we can’t say anything.”

France are due to play Azerbaijan in World Cup qualifying on Friday, followed by Iceland three days later.

Kylian Mbappé was forced off with an ankle injury after scoring in Real Madrid’s win over Villarreal Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Mbappé passed up the opportunity to score earlier in Saturday’s game, when he allowed Vinícius Júnior to take a penalty after the Brazilian was fouled in the box.

Vinícius converted the spot kick for his second goal of the game, but Alonso said Mbappé remains Madrid’s designated penalty taker.

“[The players] decided, but the taker is Kylian,” Alonso said. “We believe in him. It was their decision but the first choice is Kylian.”

Alonso praised the performance of Federico Valverde at right back — after the midfielder was forced to release a statement this week denying that he had refused to play in the position — and described the impact of Vinícius as “decisive.”

“Vini had a very good game,” Alonso said. “I’m very happy with him. I like seeing Vini smile and enjoy himself. He could have had a hat trick, which would have finished off the all-round game he had.”

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WINNIPEG — Cole Perfetti is missing a special piece of hockey memorabilia.

The Winnipeg Jets forward scored a historic, game-tying goal in last season’s first round of the NHL playoffs that a local restaurant commemorated with a limited number of T-shirts.

The white shirt has Perfetti’s first name in blue capital letters and under it the time of 0:1.6, the initial seconds remaining on the clock in the third period when his redirection tied Game 7 against the St. Louis Blues 3-3.

Scorekeepers adjusted the clock to 2.2 and the Jets went on to win in double overtime with a goal from captain Adam Lowry. The league rounds up so the official scoresheet read 19:57 — the latest tying Game 7 goal in NHL history.

The shirt, which also has “We Believe” on it, kept the original 1.6 seconds.

Perfetti never did get his hands on one of the souvenirs.

“My parents and grandparents were here for that game. I think they did maybe get one or two, but I’m not 100 per cent sure, to be honest,” Perfetti said this week at Jets training camp.

“I know I never did. They were cool shirts, though.”

The forward from Whitby, Ont., doesn’t really need the memento. After all, he has the memory of the goal dubbed the “Manitoba Miracle.”

Perfetti also has the not-so-great memory of the Jets getting knocked out of the second round in six games by the Dallas Stars, ending a season in which Winnipeg won its first Presidents’ Trophy for having the top regular-season record.

The 23-year-old also reached personal highs last season, finally playing all 82 games and recording a career-best 50 points off 18 goals and 32 assists.

“Last year, that confidence was growing and growing throughout the year,” Perfetti said. “Going into the playoffs I was feeling really good about myself and the team.

“I definitely took that into the summer. I feel my confidence is at a good spot and I have very high belief in myself.”

Jets head coach Scott Arniel shares that belief.

“When it got to the playoffs, I thought he was one of our best forwards, most consistent forwards,” Arniel said of Perfetti. “Not so much scoring goals, but just getting inside and playing hard.”

Now he wants Perfetti to build off that growth.

“He’s a top-six forward on our hockey team, one of the best teams in the league, and he has something to bring every night and we’re seeing that,” Arniel said.

The coach has slotted Perfetti on the wing with future hall-of-fame centre Jonathan Toews and veteran free-agent signing Gustav Nyquist. Toews, who’s returning to the game after a two-year absence for health reasons, is 37. Nyquist is 36.

“There was a little bit of nerves, but more so excitement,” Perfetti said of skating with the duo. “Those are guys that have been doing this for a long time in this league at a high level and been impact players.”

Toews was one of his favourite players growing up.

“So now, to be able to be on a line with him, it’s pretty surreal and just exciting to get that opportunity,” Perfetti said of the former Chicago Blackhawks captain and three-time Stanley Cup champion.

Nyquist said Perfetti doesn’t seem like a youngster.

“He’s mature beyond his years by a lot,” said Nyquist, who split time last season with Nashville and Minnesota. “He’s a really good kid who works hard and gets open. Wise beyond his years.”

Perfetti, who will get time on the first power-play unit, was in the gym during the summer building his explosiveness.

“Working on the stuff that can translate to the first couple steps on ice, kind of out-of-the-gate speed,” he said. “I feel good on the ice from it, so I feel a little bit faster, a little quicker.”

Winnipeg’s second line last year featured speedster Nikolaj Ehlers, who signed with Carolina in the off-season.

While the new line won’t have that speed, Perfetti said the trio shares high hockey IQ and a similar style of play.

“I think we’re all passers,” Perfetti said. “At times, we’re going to have to adjust and one of us is going to have to be a little selfish and shoot.

“But that’s the beauty about that — everyone on that line has a little bit of a knack for scoring but also has that pass-first mentality and looking for the right play.

“When three guys think alike like that and play a similar style, I think it’s easier to build that chemistry. I think it’s going to be good.”

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As a new NHL season dawns, there is renewed optimism in Ottawa after the Senators ended their lengthy playoff drought.

It will be up to Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stützle, Jake Sanderson and Ottawaâ€s other top players to build on that promising season.

But as is often the case, a secondary player or two will need to emerge to help keep things moving in the right direction. For the Senators, Fabian Zetterlund fits that description.

Although Zetterlundâ€s numbers (two goals and five points in 20 regular-season games) did not blow anyone away after he joined the Senators in a trade-deadline deal with the San Jose Sharks, Ottawaâ€s front office saw enough to sign him to a three-year contract worth $4.275 million annually.

Prior to the deadline, Zetterlund was one of the Sharks†top producers with 17 goals and 36 points over 64 games. He scored all but one of those goals from the slot, including 12 from the inner slot. The latter total ranked second on the Sharks before the trade.

Zetterlund did not shy away from the hard areas upon landing in Ottawa. In fact, he led the Senators in 5-on-5 scoring chances (31) during his 20 regular-season games. But only one of those chances entered the net. Zetterlund scored 1.92 goals below expected at 5-on-5 for the Senators, which was the worst mark on the team following his arrival. In simpler terms, Zetterlund deserved better offensively.

“I thought he created a lot of chances last year,†Senators coach Travis Green told reporters recently. “I think he was good last year. Heâ€s still improving. (He) looks a little lighter and looks a little quicker this year. … I think goal-scorers kind of figure out how to score, and they do it in different ways. But youâ€ve got to get to the net to score, thatâ€s for sure.â€

Zetterlund, who had a consistent spot in the top six in San Jose, took on a lesser role when he first joined the Senators, starting on the fourth line alongside Matthew Highmore and Adam Gaudette. Eventually, Green promoted Zetterlund to Stützleâ€s line, which paid dividends for the Senators. The team generated 62.6 per cent of the expected goals at even strength when Zetterlund and Stützle were on the ice simultaneously, out-chancing opponents 73-39 in 137:42 of ice time during the regular season.

Unsurprisingly, Zetterlundâ€s individual numbers spiked when partnered with Stützle, whose 55 assists and 79 points led the Senators last season. Zetterlundâ€s rate of scoring chances per 20 minutes at 5-on-5 jumped from 1.85 without Stützle to 3.09 with him.

“Just get open,†Zetterlund told reporters about his mindset when playing with Stützle. “Then also win puck battles, wall battles to give him the puck when he has the speed. Thatâ€s why he beats so many defencemen in this league.â€

At the start of training camp, Zetterlund was considered a leading candidate to play right wing on Stützleâ€s line opposite Tkachuk, but it appears he’ll instead open the season on Dylan Cozens†line with David Perron. (Second-line winger Drake Batherson will miss at least the next two weeks after pulling an upper-body muscle.)

Zetterlund and Cozens, acquired by the Senators on the same day, did not spend much time together at even strength last season (41:42), and Ottawaâ€s performance during those minutes was not particularly impressive. Opponents outscored the Senators 5-2 at 5-on-5.

Claude Giroux has been practising with Tkachuk and Stützle, a combination that played more than 220 minutes at 5-on-5 last season and generated 58.1 per cent of the expected goals. Tkachuk, Stützle and Zetterlund, meanwhile, played around 30 minutes as a unit but were more effective at driving offence (63.9 XGF%). Green, for what it’s worth, cautioned reporters not to “get too hung up†on the lines he uses at practice.

Ottawa made the playoffs last season despite scoring the second-fewest 5-on-5 goals in the NHL. The Senators should have had nearly 30 more 5-on-5 goals based on their shot quality, which would have put them in the top half of the league.

The hope is that Zetterlund, who is two seasons removed from a career-high 24 goals, can help the Senators close that gap as they attempt to make a return trip to the post-season.

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