Philadelphia’s Porter Martone and Washington’s Cole Hutson are here to stay. Martone’s presence has yet to translate to team success, although the Flyers have played well in his first two games. Martone has generated 14 shots in his first two games, 9 alone in last night’s game against Detroit. He also picked up his first NHL point, assisting on Travis Konecny’s re-direction of a Martone slot shot. In addition to his assist, Martone spent the rest of the night wreaking havoc all over the O zone, generating one scoring chance after another for his teammates and himself. With his size and skillset, he is able to impose his will in board battles, and to create opportunities in a number of different ways. Martone already has generated 20 individual chances (1st on team), and has 35:09 of ice time.
In Washington, Hutson also is lighting things up on a nightly basis, and assisting the Caps’ playoff push along the way. Since Hutson’s March 18 debut, the Capitals are 5-2-1, and currently sit three points out of the last playoff spot in the East. Also, since Hutson’s arrival Washington’s power-play (of which Hutson has QB’d from day one) is one of the league’s best, operating at a success rate of 31.8% (7 for 22). In his young career, Hutson has 6 points (2G 4A), and may see Montreal and his brother, Lane, in the playoffs this season.