Week 1 – Complete. After a competitive and FAIRLY smooth week 1 of season 33, there are already some players catching fire heading into the second week. For players of the week, we’ll be selecting a forward, defenseman, and goalie along with honorable mentions that are playing to their best of their ability week by week.
Here are your Week 1 Players of the Week:
FIRST STAR(s) – Xx96_BiDoU_96xX and Kred_14, LW and RW, Hurricanes
Bidou: 9 GP / 21 G / 8 A / 29 PTS / 3.2 PPG
Kred: 9 GP / 14 G / 14 A / 28 PTS / 3.1 PPG
1st and 2nd round picks and linemates, Bidou and Kred, killed it together in week 1 for Carolina. I decided to give them both the first star of the week because, taking no credit away from them, they were able to produce at the rate they did while only having AAli for 1 game. Leading their team to a 6-1-2 record on the week, they have 35/39 goals scored by the Canes. On top of scoring a bunch, they both sit 2nd and 3rd in takeaways for forwards as well, so it seems they’re playing both ends of the ice well. Safe to say, when Ali begins playing consistently, the Canes’ offense will be even better. I expect Kred and Bidou to keep this production rate up, and as predicted, Carolina will continue to be a top team.
Honorable Mentions(forwards):
Reapz2313 (DET) 8 GP / 12 G / 13 A / 25 PTS / 3.1 PPG
Gods3_3plan1 (DET) 8 GP / 17 G / 10 A / 27 PTS / 3.4 PPG
LeCupidon (DET) 5 GP / 3 G / 18 A / 21 PTS / 4.2 PPG
Iam_mrbean (PIT) 8 GP / 14 G / 13 A / 27 PTS / 3.4 PPG
Visibility12 (PIT) 6 GP / 9 G / 9 A / 18 PTS / 3 PPG
SECOND STAR – The_Real_Pistol, LD, Penguins
8 GP / 15 PTS / +4 / 56 GVs / 22 TKs
Let’s be honest here, to the surprise of many(including myself), the Pens started the season with a 6-3 record, tied for 2nd in the East. Sitting in second in goals scored as well, their starting Left Defenseman and 3rd round selection in the draft, The_Real_Pistol has been excellent so far. Playing 8/9 games for the Pens this week, Pistol is sitting at an impressive 15 points and a 1.9 PPG, having 3 goals and 12 assists. While being the most offensively productive D man, he also has the most takeaways(and giveaways). On top of HIS strong play for the Pens in week 1, his teammate Iam_mrbean(as noted later in the article) is also sitting pretty, tied for 3rd in points for forwards, so expect him and Pistol to continue shining and propelling this Penguins team week by week. However, one thing to note…. while Pittsburgh is tied for second in goals SCORED, they’re also tied for second in goals AGAINST in the East.
Honorable Mentions(defenseman):
Uberpwned_6969 (CAR) 7 GP / 8 PTS / +10 / 53 GVs / 14 TKs
X13arzy (DET) 5 GP / 8 PTS / +6 / 54 GVs / 12 TKs
Jamie14benn14 (LA) 7 GP / 5 PTS / +5 / 35 GVs / 18 TKs
Foxpresentation (VGK) 6 GP / 3 PTS / +8 / 23 GVs / 18 TKs
Notorious250 (NYR) 5 GP / 2 PTS / -3 / 14 GVs / 19 TKs
THIRD STAR – SA_Pliskin, G, Penguins
5-2 / 117 shots faced / 78 sv% / 3.86 GAA
Some will disagree with this decision, but I chose Plisk as the goalie of the week. Yes, I could easily pick someone like SliyumShady who has a 85 sv% and 1.67 GAA. However, Plisk is facing 16+ shots per game, while still maintaining a high save %, while leading his team to a 6-3 week, winning 5 of those games. On paper, the stats aren’t the prettiest, but I’m sure even some of the Pens would admit he stood on his head this week. The 2 losses on his record came to the Rangers and Red Wings, facing 23 and 18 shots, allowing 14 goals in those games(68 sv%). Outside of those weaker games, he allowed 13 goals on 76 shots, which amounts to a 83 sv%. All around solid job between the pipes for the boss man and the Pens this week, let’s see if they can continue doing it.
Honorable Mentions(goalie):
CartmanMJ (DET) 6-2 / 74 shots faced / 74 sv% / 2.38 GAA
SliyumShady (CAR) 6-0 / 67 shots faced / 85 sv% / 1.67 GAA
SukMyChinesePeen (CHI) 5-2 / 95 shots faced / 79 sv% / 2.86 GAA
cgiroux11 (LA) 2-3 / 52 shots faced / 83 sv% / 2 GAA
SgtVandoos (NSH) 3-5 / 127 shots faced / 75 sv% / 4 GAA