標籤: redhot

In fact, the New Jersey Devils are interviewing one of the hottest free agent general manager candidates.

On Thursday, a source confirmed to New Jersey Hockey Now that the Devils have received permission from the Florida Panthers to talk to Sunny Mehta about their open GM position.

Mehta is one of two assistant Panthers GMs who are attracting interest for several vacancies, including Brett Peterson.

At this point, there is no indication that the Devils have even asked to speak to Peterson.

Mehta is one of New Jersey Hockey Now’s “must interview” candidates after the Devils fired Tom Fitzgerald on Monday evening.

Mehta is one of Bill Zito’s right-hand men who helped the Panthers capture back-to-back Stanley Cups the past two seasons.

Mehta, a former Wyckoff, New Jersey resident, also has ties to the Devils as the former director of hockey analytics from 2014 to 2017.

The Devils would not be alone in interviewing Mehta. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who fired Brad Treliving on March 30, are also interviewing the Panthers’ assistant GM for their vacant position.

Due to his analytical approach, Mehta is one of the leading candidates for GM Markets. He was one of the major factors in the Panthers finding Gustav Forsling on the waiver wire, trading forward Spencer Knight for Seth Jones and trading out Matthew Tkachuk.

Mehta, a big Devils fan, revealed in 2021 that his love affair with hockey began in New Jersey.

“He just practiced in public,” Mehta told NHL.com five years ago. “This was in the mid-’80s. It was very, very different. Like there would be more people watching the Devils practice at the public skate than there would be. But I, a little 7-year-old kid, was mesmerized by it. I would just stand in front of the mirror and watch the Devils practice, day after day.”

It would be great to see that come full circle if he takes the GM seat as the next assistant GM and is ready to become a full-time general manager.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The Washington Capitals (33-27-7) go up against a tough opponent on Thursday night. Thankfully, they were able to pull out a 2-1 upset win over the Buffalo Sabers (40-10-6).

It wasn’t easy though, as the Capitals got off to a slow start. Sam Carrick got Buffalo on the board early as the Sabers looked for their ninth consecutive win.

However, the Capitals took the lead in the middle frame as Ryan Leonard tied it with a tally. The rookie now has goals in three consecutive games.

Charlie Lindgren was also impressive against a fiery Buffalo team. The 32-year-old netminder stopped shot after shot and finished with 29 saves.

“Again, the character of this team — just going out and continuing to fight,” Lindgren said. “It was fun to watch. I thought we played very well the last 40 minutes.”

Late in regulation, the Capitals got just what they needed as Jacob Chykrun scored the game-winner with 1:33 remaining. Washington kept their playoff hopes alive as they handed Buffalo their first loss since Feb. 5.

After that, the Capitals will return home for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Boston.

capitals analysis

After a blowout 4-1 loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday, the Capitals knew they would face a big test the next evening. Buffalo entered Thursday as one of the top teams in the NHL after years of futility.

The Sabers took the lead early and led 1–0 in the opening period. Former Capital Beck Malensteen skated in and slid the puck past Carrick in front for the tally.

Fortunately, Lindgren was able to shut out Buffalo the rest of the way. The netminder got the start after Logan Thompson played last night in Philadelphia.

The Capitals were also successful on the penalty kill late in the first. Olympic gold medalist Tage Thompson fired five consecutive one-timers, but none of them went in.

The second period is when the Capitals really started playing well. Trailing 1-0, Leonard skated up the ice with the puck and hit a wicked shot to tie it 1-1.

The 21-year-old registered his 14th goal of the season in the process. He extended his goal streak to three games and his point streak to five.

Due to the match being very competitive, the match remained tied at 1-1. After being outshot in the first two periods, the Capitals outscored Buffalo 13–4 in the third.

Then, with 1:33 left in regulation, Aliaksei Protas found a wide open chicron, who fired in for the game-winner. The 27-year-old now leads all NHL defensemen with 23 tallies and seven game-winning goals this season.

Additionally, Protas’ assist proved to be the 100th assist of his career. The Russian forward now has 45 points this season.

capitals report card

Team: A-

Despite the slow start, the Capitals got the job done against a red-hot Buffalo team. They also kept their playoff hopes alive with an extra two points.

Charlie Lindgren: A

Lindgren was notable between the pipes as he stopped 29 of 30 shots. The 32-year-old made several key saves to hold off the Sabres.

Jacob Chykrun:A

Chicrun came up in the clutch with the game-winning goal at the end of regulation. The blueliner now has 23 goals on the season.

Ryan Leonard: A

Leonard continued his hot streak and equalized in the second period. The 21-year-old player registered his 14th goal this year.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman