The awakening of Phillip Danault

Every two weeks, we look back at notable Quebec performances delivered in the NHL during this period. Today we cover matches played from October 30 to November 12.

Danault gets started

With three small assists in eleven games, it’s not an exaggeration to say that Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault has had a slow start to the season. The Quebecer, however, got going on November 2, when he collected a goal and an assist in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I had been playing the same way for seven or eight games, it just wouldn’t work and tonight was the good night,” he commented after the match. My wingers were very good, we won a faceoff in offensive territory and I was there for the throw return.”

Obviously, this performance came as a relief to the 31-year-old, who then collected an assist in each of the next four games. Danault has therefore accumulated one goal and five assists over the last seven games, which represents the highest total of points in the NHL for a player here since October 30.

Richard answers the call

A fast skater with great skills and a certain flair in attack, Anthony Richard is one of those players who is perpetually very close to a regular position in the NHL.

The native of Trois-Rivières, who always appears a little too strong for the American League, is in his third organization in three seasons after signing a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers last July.

And after collecting nine points in seven games with Lehigh Valley in the American League, he received the call from the big club a week ago. Richard attracted unwanted attention in his first game with the Flyers, as he was inserted into the lineup by coach John Tortorella in place of the popular Matvei Michkov, who was sent to the bridge to think.

Asked what he expected from Richard during his recall, Tortorella simply .

“He had a very good camp, he skates well, I want him to take a chance offensively, .

Richard didn’t waste too much time. In his second match, while Michkov was still absent, he scored his first goal. During the next match, the 27-year-old skater using his explosive skating move. He is still with the Flyers as of Wednesday.

Bourque breaks the ice

Named the American League’s Most Valuable Player last season, Mavrik Bourque managed to break into the Dallas Stars lineup at the dawn of this season, which is no small feat given the fairly large roster. in attack of the organization.

The 22-year-old winger is off to a timid start so far in the big leagues, but he managed to score his first NHL goal on November 1 in a 6-4 loss to the Florida Panthers. .

It wasn’t particularly beautiful, but the Plessisville native was certainly not disappointed!

Honorable mentions:

Named in this column two weeks ago, Frédérick Gaudreau continues to do well with the Wild as he has collected five assists in his last six games.

Rangers winger Alexis Lafrenière is also doing well with two goals and two assists in five games.

Avalanche guard Samuel Girard has also done well recently, accumulating a goal and four points in six games.