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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Canadian men’s hockey team heating up; Scoring depth bodes well for Sochi Olympic tournament.

       

 
Canadian Olympians Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins and  John Tavares of the Islanders battle on New Year's Eve.
Elise Amendola / The Associated Press file
Canadian Olympians Patrice Bergeron of the Bruins and John Tavares of the Islanders battle on New Year's Eve.


It’s safe to say just about every member of the Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team heading to Sochi has been on a hot streak of late. Here’s a look at who’s hot — and the very few who are not — through Saturday’s games:
Forwards
Ryan Getzlaf, Ducks: 15 points in last 12 games. Tied career high of 25 goals in his 47th game. Blocked five shots vs. Chicago Jan. 18.
Corey Perry, Ducks: 13 points in last 12 games. Hasn’t been held scoreless in back-to back-games since Nov. 20-22.
Sidney Crosby, Penguins: Team Canada captain and NHL’s leader in points and assists has been held pointless just five times since the end of November.
Chris Kunitz, Penguins: Crosby’s linemate has 16 points in last 15 games and will easily shatter career highs of 25 goals and 61 points.
Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks: Has 12 points in 15 games since torrid December.
Patrice Bergeron, Bruins: Diligent worker has four multi-point games since mid-January.
John Tavares, Islanders: Second only to Crosby in scoring race after 25 points in 18 games since Christmas.
Matt Duchene, Avalanche: One goal in last 20 games — rookie teammate Nathan MacKinnon has more this season. Assists keep him among NHL’s top 25 scorers.
Jamie Benn, Stars: First-time Olympian played his way onto team with speed and skill. 13 points in last 10 games, including four vs. Leafs on Jan. 23.
Patrick Sharp, Blackhawks: Nearing third straight 30-goal season, notched hat tricks one week apart just after Christmas.
Jeff Carter, Kings: No goals in six games after scoring in four straight. Solid since returning from injured reserve (foot) in December.
Patrick Marleau, Sharks: Unheralded 35-year-old steady producer, seven points in last 10 games.
Steven Stamkos, Lightning: Still working way back from broken leg suffered in November.
Rick Nash, Rangers: Finding form after early-season concussion, seven goals in last seven games.
Defencemen
Shea Weber, Predators: Fourth among NHL defencemen in scoring with 38 points including two-goal game Jan. 31, logging 26-plus minutes a night.
Alex Pietrangelo, Blues: Tied with Weber in points, 14 in 15 games since New Year’s Day.
Jay Bouwmeester, Blues: On pace to surpass career high for points: 46, with the 2006 Panthers.
Drew Doughty, Kings: One goal since Dec. 11.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Sharks: Defence-first shot blocking whiz held pointless since Jan. 9.
Dan Hamhuis, Canucks: Logginged more than 30 minutes of ice time in several games during injury to teammate Alex Edler. One point since Jan. 7.
Duncan Keith, Blackhawks: Second among NHL point-getters on defence, third overall in assists with 45 in 56 games — on par with Norris Trophy season in 2009-10.
P.K. Subban, Canadiens: Norris Trophy winner has one goal in last 14 games, but 29 assists tied for fourth among NHL D-men. Says he has envisioned himself; gold medal in hand, standing between Crosby and goalie Carey Price at centre ice in Sochi.
Goalies
Carey Price, Canadiens: Blanked Carolina 3-0 on 36 saves to snap four-game losing skid last Tuesday night. Among NHL top 10 in most major categories and the hottest of Canada’s three goalies.
Roberto Luongo, Canucks: Lost three of last four starts. Consensus No. 1 when team was announced in December may have lost that status.
Mike Smith, Coyotes: Workhorse leads NHL in games, saves and shots faced. Four wins in last 12 starts.
On the Bubble
Top injury-fill candidates:
Joe Thornton, Sharks: Playmaker held off scoresheet last four games.
Martin St. Louis, Lightning: four assists in six games since four-goal explosion vs. Sharks.
Tyler Seguin, Stars: Three goals in three games since 12-game drought.

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