After eight games, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the Hurricanes’ leading scorer

Last night, the Hurricanes won a big game in overtime against the Seattle Kraken. Carolina was losing 0-2, but never gave up.

The result: 3-2.

It was a forward we know very well here in Montreal who scored the equalizer with less than five minutes left in the game.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi ties the game off a beautiful passing play by the @Canes! 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/T067X9PFBh

– NHL (@NHL) October 27, 2023

Jesperi Kotkaniemi finished the game with two points, including an assist on his team’s first goal.

With nine points in eight games, the Finn is his team’s leading scorer (tied with Martin Necas).

To say he’s off to a great start would be an understatement, wouldn’t it?

The Canes, despite an ordinary start to the season, have big aspirations this year. For them, it’s the Stanley Cup or nothing. And with their line-up on paper, they’re understandable…

But the question was: could KK be the second center to take the team to the promised land? People had their doubts, but so far, the Canadiens’ former first-round pick in 2018 is proving everyone wrong.

After all, he’s in his sixth season in the big league and it’s about time he broke through.

As I mentioned, Rod Brind’Amour’s team isn’t off to the hoped-for start, with a 4-4-0 record this season. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. And tonight, they face the San Jose Sharks, who have yet to win a game. Even better: Andrei Svechnikov will be back in action, having not played since March 11.

The club will be even more dangerous.

Casey DeSmith and Thatcher Demko are two of the best goalies in the league, according to a Canucks columnist.

Another former Canuck who’s off to a good start this season is Casey DeSmith. Traded to the Habs in August 2023 and to Vancouver a month later, DeSmith is keeping up his numbers behind Thatcher Demko.

In three starts, he boasts an efficiency average of .938 and a goals-against average of 2.28.

The Habs must be kicking themselves for trading him… Okay, maybe not. By the way, the 32-year-old goaltender is still wearing the Habs’ uniform on hockeydb.

According to columnist Iain MacIntyre, who probably considers himself biased, the two goalies are two of the BEST in the NHL.

MacIntyre has been a columnist covering the Canucks since 1991. Yes, I think he’s a bit biased… After all, yes, Demko and DeSmith have good numbers, but the season is still young, very young. Can’t wait to see if their stats hold up throughout the season.

In gusto

– Patrick Roy.

If D.J. Smith lost his job, would you see Bob Hartley at the helm of the Ottawa Senators? If not, who would you choose? 🤔

To listen to @mathiasbrunet ‘s column in Le Retour des sportifs with @MartinLemay👇https://t.co/fxB0WoZDgZ pic.twitter.com/3Gp0XTKbHh

– BPM Sports (@BPMSportsRadio) October 27, 2023

– The question arises.

– Coming up.

– The Alouettes play their final game of the season tomorrow.

– I can imagine.