Dylan Holloway’s three-point night turns heads as Matthew “Matt” Savoie pushes for his next NHL look

Bassyonni

ago 1 hour

Dylan Holloway

Dylan Holloway delivered his most complete performance of the season on Sunday, driving a 4–3 road win with a goal and two primary assists and reminding everyone why his blend of power and pace plays in any building. As the highlight clips made the rounds overnight, attention also shifted to fellow young gun Matthew “Matt” Savoie, whose steady climb has him positioned for meaningful NHL minutes when opportunity knocks.

Dylan Holloway’s breakout game, one year after a scary setback

Holloway’s line didn’t just score—it tilted the ice. The winger hunted pucks on the forecheck, created interior lanes off the rush, and finished a net-front sequence that showcased the heavy, straight-line style coaches covet. The two helpers were different flavors—one touch-pass quick, one off a strong-side wall battle—underscoring that his offense isn’t one-note.

The timing is notable. Holloway’s 2024–25 journey included a frightening puck-to-the-neck incident and an offseason surgery that reset his timeline. Since returning, he has stacked games where the details match the talent: cleaner exits, smarter entries, and more controlled chaos on retrievals. Sunday’s three-point outburst serves as a mile marker that the toolkit is translating into results, not just “almost” plays.

What stood out in the performance

Pace and purpose: Multiple controlled entries that led directly to looks from the slot.
Board work to daylight: Won pucks on the strong side and funneled play middle, where expected goals live.
Net-front courage: Willing to pay a price to finish—something that travels in tight, low-event games.

If he keeps stacking nights like this, Holloway forces tougher matchup decisions for opponents and simplifies deployment for his own bench: more top-six usage, more second-unit power-play touches, and late-game trust when protecting or chasing a one-goal margin.

Matthew Savoie (aka Matt Savoie): arrow pointing up

On the other side of the Western Conference map, Matthew Savoie’s development arc continues to bend in the right direction. Now 21, Savoie has been rounding out his game in the pro ranks with a focus on details that translate to coachable NHL shifts—specifically penalty-kill reads, defensive stick positioning through the neutral zone, and quicker decisions under forecheck pressure.

Where Savoie is making his case

Speed as a weapon: Elite first three strides push defenders onto their heels and create second-layer passing angles.
Dual-threat touches: Capable of finishing from the circles or slipping seams on royal-road passes when play breaks down.
Situational maturity: Short, reliable shifts on special teams—exactly the kind that earn early NHL trust.

Roster math always matters. But with injuries and schedule compression shaping depth charts across the league in December, Savoie’s versatility (center/wing) and special-teams utility make him one of the more plug-and-play callup options when a slot opens. Whether he grabs a middle-six audition or starts in a sheltered, matchup-friendly role, the path to a longer stay is clear: win retrievals, live on the right side of the puck, and let the offense arrive as a byproduct.

Why the Holloway–Savoie lens is useful right now

Comparable timelines, different roles: Holloway is showing what a second wave of NHL reps can look like when the body cooperates; Savoie is knocking with a refined, pro-ready skill set.
Team-building implications: If Holloway locks in as a dependable top-nine driver and Savoie graduates into a cost-controlled contributor, both clubs get flexibility at the trade deadline without overpaying for depth.
Style contrast that complements: Holloway’s power game and Savoie’s pace/playmaking profile are different solutions to the same problem: creating advantages at five-on-five.

What’s next to watch

Holloway’s usage: Does he see a bump in offensive-zone starts and second-unit PP touches after the three-point night?
Savoie’s deployment: Look for elevated minutes in late/close AHL situations—or a short-notice NHL recall—signaling trust.
Micro-trends: For Holloway, continued success on entries with control; for Savoie, PK reps and defensive-zone faceoffs to broaden his toolbox.

Quick reference: names and spellings for searches

Dylan Holloway — power forward finding form after a disrupted year.
Matthew Savoie / Matt Savoie — high-speed, dual-threat forward pushing toward an NHL foothold.

In a league that rewards momentum, Holloway just banked a statement game, and Savoie looks ready to translate promise into production the moment the door opens. If you’re tracking the next wave, both belong on your short list.