THW’s Best of the Week: Winnipeg Jets Streaking, All-Star Game Selections, Rocket Richard Trophy Race & More
A Sunday Edition of The Hockey Writers Substack
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Sunday Edition…
Our in-season Sunday Edition features the BEST OF THE WEEK throughout the NHL.
In today’s edition, we have more on the active point streak for the Winnipeg Jets, the initial selections for the All-Star game, the race for the Rocket Richard trophy, and much more.
Check Out Some THW Premium Substack Content:
Philadelphia Flyers: Flyers Flash: Inconsistent Offense, Elite Goaltending by Justin Giampietro
St. Louis Blues: Blue Note Weekly Audio Report: Two Straight Losses Heading Into New Year by Ethan Carter
Detroit Red Wings: Prospect Check-In: Kasper & Mazur Heating Up by Jordan Orth
Tampa Bay Lightning: Prospect Check-In: Mid-Round Picks Standing Out by Jordan Orth
Florida Panthers: 10 Thoughts on the Florida Panthers by Joey Ganzi
Let’s dive into the Best of the Week…
Winnipeg Jets Extend Point Streak to 11 Games
The Winnipeg Jets are red hot amid an 11-game point streak. They are now 25-9-4 with 54 points and a point ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for first in the Central Division. They have won five straight games and carry an elite plus-34 goal differential, and that’s second to the Vancouver Canucks in the Western Conference.
Panthers’ Sam Reinhart Having a Huge Season
What a phenomenal season so far for Florida Panthers forward Sam Reinhart. In 39 games, he’s scored 28 goals and 22 assists for 50 points. Since being traded to the Panthers from the Buffalo Sabres before the 2021-22 season, Reinhart has two 30-goal seasons and should blow that out of the water this season.
United States Wins Gold Medal in Sweden at 2024 WJC
For the fifth time in the past 20 years, the United States took home gold at the 2024 World Juniors with a 6-2 victory over Sweden. The United States team was loaded and they could return up to 11 players for the 2025 WJC on top of inevitable additions like Cole Eiserman and James Hagens.
Initial All-Star Game Selections Made on Thursday
The NHL All-Star Game heads to Toronto on Saturday, Feb. 4 with the league’s biggest stars on display. Amongst the initial selections are Sidney Crosby, Connor Bedard, Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, David Pastrnak, Nathan MacKinnon, Auston Matthews, and several other stars.
Rocket Richard Trophy Race Heating Up With Matthews in Front
There are six players with 24 goals or more in the NHL, including Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Matthews, who has 30 goals in 36 games. The others are Kucherov (28), Reinhart (28), Artemi Panarin (25), Pastrnak (24), and Brock Boeser (24). The race for the Rocket Richard trophy will be interesting, but it’s hard to see anybody other than Matthews taking it home.
Kings’ Cam Talbot Having Vezina Trophy Level Season
36-year-old goaltender Cam Talbot of the Los Angeles Kings has been terrific this season. He’s carrying a record of 14-8-3, an elite save percentage (SV%) of .925, and a goals against average (GAA) of 2.10. With a $1 million salary cap hit, Talbot is one of the league’s great bargains this season. There are a few other great Vezina candidates right now and he is certainly one of them.
We hope you enjoyed today’s THW Substack, and we hope you enjoy our “Best of the Week” Sunday Edition. Stay tuned for THW Daily as it continues tomorrow and beyond. Cheers!