Jesse Granger

On today's episode of @TheAthletic Hockey Show, @mbultman.bsky.social, @marklazerus.bsky.social and I talk: • Hellebuyck's fit in New Jersey • McDavid's insane start • Fluto joins to talk Bruins • Devin Cooley's words of wisdom

Today I wrote about why I believe Connor Hellebuyck is uniquely suited to solve the New Jersey Devils’ biggest problem. On @theathletic.com ⤵️

I don’t know who needs to see this, but Connor Hellebuyck does not have a custom Devils mask already. The mask he was wearing at his skate today in NJ had a standard CageSkinz decal/wrap that takes a few minutes to apply. His Devils mask is being painted right now, though.

Adam Fantilli crushes a one timer past Hart on the power play to win it for the Blue Jackets in overtime. The Golden Knights have lost 3 straight.

Cam Talbot robs Eichel with the glove. That is such a tough play for the goalie, when the shot misses and comes out on the other side off the end boards, but Talbot handled it well there.

This may not even be that hot of a take, but Trevor Connelly is the best rookie the Golden Knights have had in 10 years. He has been even better than expected. Good skater, dynamic with the puck, effective on the forecheck, and isn't afraid of contact.

Cam Talbot may be the oldest goalie in the NHL, but it doesn't stop him from challenging 3 feet outside of his crease when he doesn't sense a passing threat. And he still has the skating to do it, too. He's fun to watch.

Incredible glove save by Carter Hart to rob Sean Monahan from the sharp angle.

Eichel and Connelly both hit by shots that stung them in the last couple of minutes. Neither went back to the room, but both looked to be in some pain on the bench.

Cam Talbot made a sensational stop on Bowman, but Tomas Hertl was right there to follow up the rebound to tie it 1-1. It was a great pass by Connelly to start it.

The Golden Knights have now allowed the first goal in 8 of their 13 games this season. They’re 3-4-0 when doing so. 5-0-0 when scoring first.

Connor Hellebuyck has been skating with Robby Fabbri and Antonio Stranges in Michigan. NJD could take their time with this ramp-up, and they haven't set a solid timeline for him to play, but I've heard Hellebuyck feels he's very close to being game-ready. A couple practices.

"I'm here to win. The only thing I've got left (to add to) my resume is a Stanley Cup." – Connor Hellebuyck

The Devils have allowed the 3rd-fewest expected goals per game, but rank 24th in team save %. Nico Daws has saved 2.9 goals below expected (55th in NHL). Jake Allen has saved 3.5 below expected (59th). And yet NJD have 12 pts in 10 games. Hellebuyck could make them a wagon.

Jake Oettinger has been the best goalie in the NHL, allowing only 10 goals in 8 games. I spoke to Jake about one small tweak to his game that he learned at the Olympics, that’s helping him look as sharp as ever. 🎥 Film Breakdown @theathletic.com ⤵️

Devin Cooley’s interview went viral. He was giving a perfect lesson in mental performance. I spoke with top NHL goalies & a mental performance specialist, to explain Cooley’s wisdom further. This was a fun one to write, I hope you enjoy it ⤵️

Cooper Black is expected to start tonight for the Panthers in Pittsburgh. At 6’8” he will be the tallest goalie in NHL history. There have been 4 goalies listed at 6’7”: Ben Bishop, Mikko Koskinen, Ivan Fedotov & Mads Sogaard 17 goalies listed at 6’6” in NHL history.

Greetings from Dallas! Here for Stars-Jets tonight. (Random, I know)

I’ve said they’re a dark horse landing spot from the beginning. The more I think about it, the more I think the Utah Mammoth may be the best place for Connor Hellebuyck to end up.

Final- Lightning 6, Golden Knights 2 The chances felt fairly even tonight, with both teams creating plenty. Andrei Vasilevskiy was the difference. He was brilliant, as he often is.

Trevor Connelly is the driver of the Golden Knights' third line. No question.

William Karlsson was slow to get back to the bench after hitting the boards on that last shift. The trainer talked to him, but he's staying on the bench for now.

Anthony Cirelli hasn't taken a shift in the 3rd period, and isn't on the bench for Tampa Bay.

Nikita Kucherov takes it away from Jeremy Lauzon, casually strolls down the ice, and snipes it by Hart. 6-2 Tampa

Pyotr Kochetkov is now 6-0-0 to start the season.

Victor Hedman makes it 5-2 from distance. Tampa has 5 goals on 14 shots.

Brutal turnover by Eichel, and Cirelli buries it top shelf before you can blink. 4-2 Lightning

This game has not been the tight-checking contest I expected at all. Both defenses have been porous, and the offensive attacks have been sharp. Cirelli puts Tampa back ahead with a one-timer from the doorstep. 3-2

Mark Stone, all by his lonesome on the backside of the play, and he snipes one by Vasilevskiy short side. 2-2

John Carlson gives Tampa the lead back immediately. Fantastic individual play by the veteran defenseman. He carried it into the zone, fired a shot on Hart, got his own rebound, and buried it. 2-1 TBL

Tampa Bay takes the early lead on a deflection in front on the power play. Hagel got the tip. 1-0 Bolts

Karlsson walks down the left wing, Vasilevskiy came way out and snagged it with the glove.

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Carter Hart lead their teams onto the ice for warm-ups in Las Vegas.

Carter Hart is the first goalie off the ice, starting tonight for Vegas

On today's episode of @TheAthletic Hockey Show with @mbultman.bsky.social, @jessegranger.bsky.social and me: – Can McDavid reach 2,000? – Oettinger's ridiculous start – On a scale of zero to Tavares, what kind of reception will Brady Tkachuk get in Ottawa? – More! Listen here: pod.fo/e/6d2b08

Final- Golden Knights 6, Penguins 2 Vegas continues to take care of bad hockey teams with relative ease. They've been a machine through 10 games.

Tonight's announced attendance: 17,437 That's just above the sellout capacity (17,367) There are noticeably fewer empty seats tonight. Still some, but fewer than the last couple of games.

So far in this game: Pucks in the net: 6 Players in the net: 4 This is the closest competition tonight at T-Mobile Arena.

Shea Theodore gets in on the fun. 5-1 Vegas Three goals from defensemen now

Trevor Connelly answers with a spectacular goal to make it 4-1. He leaned into the defender, pulled the puck in to change the shooting angle, and ripped it by Murashov.