Rick Stevens

Oliver Kapanen has been great.

He's been wonderful.

And I think one of the reasons that helped push him to the top of my star list, the three star list this week, is because he has been...

underrated, underappreciated, and underreported this season.

In the four games this past week, he had three goals, two assists for five points, plus two.

He's playing almost 16 and a half minutes a game.

He's got the most shorthanded minutes by forwards on the ice.

And his 15 goals, which he has presently, is tops.

It's the lead for rookies in the NHL.

And who would have predicted that halfway through the season?

Tex A had a great week in the four games, four goals, two assists, six points, and playing probably a lot more than he was playing in St.

Louis, 15 and a half minutes a game.

He's, let's be honest, he is not the ideal linemate for Suzuki and Caulfield.

You know, I...

I've used the placeholder Raphael Harvey-Pinard kind of argument, because Harvey-Pinard played with Caulfield and Suzuki for a while and didn't look bad, but not really an ideal placement.

I've used that example before, and I saw that being repeated online this week.

So...

Good for him to cash in well at last.

He's got some skill.

And as I said, not ideally the first line compliment to that line, but he's having a good time, enjoying himself and being productive.