The NHL ice was sizzling hot last night, with high-octane matchups serving up overtime thrills, stunning upsets, and continued dominance from streaking teams. Let’s dive into the top headlines and highlights from Thursday’s action:
Flames Feast on Coyotes: Calgary scorched Arizona 6-2, fueled by Elias Lindholm’s two goals and one assist. Andrew Mangiapane and Nikita Kucherov chipped in with a goal and two assists apiece, while Blake Coleman and Brett Ritchie added solo tallies. Karel Vejmelka faced a barrage of 42 shots for the Coyotes, while Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 for the Flames. This win extends Calgary’s winning streak to five games and solidifies their hold on first place in the Pacific Division.
Golden Knights Steal Victory in Beantown: Marc-Andre Fleury played the hero in overtime, denying Patrice Bergeron’s breakaway attempt and setting the stage for Alex Pietrangelo’s game-winning goal just seconds later. This 2-1 OT victory keeps Vegas in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt. David Pastrnak scored the lone goal for the Bruins, who despite the loss hold onto the top spot in the Atlantic Division.
Canucks Claw Back Against Penguins: Vancouver clawed out a 4-3 overtime win over Pittsburgh, erasing a two-goal deficit in the third period. Bo Horvat had the game-tying goal with just 30 seconds left in regulation, while Quinn Hughes’ overtime winner sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson also found the net for the Canucks, while Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Rickard Rakell lit the lamp for the Penguins. This win keeps Vancouver within striking distance of a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
Other Thrilling Tussles:
- The Edmonton Oilers extended their franchise record winning streak to nine games with a nail-biting 3-2 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings. Connor McDavid scored the winner, while Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman tallied for the Oilers. Oskar Lindblom and Dominik Kubalik netted goals for the Red Wings.
- The Florida Panthers edged out the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime, thanks to Jonathan Huberdeau’s game-winning goal. Aleksander Barkov and Owen Tippett contributed for the Panthers, while Phillip Danault and Adrian Kempe replied for the Kings.
- The Seattle Kraken continued their impressive home form, dismantling the Washington Capitals 4-1. Jordan Eberle led the charge with a hat trick, while Vince Dunn added another goal for the Kraken. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the lone goal for the Capitals.
Injuries and Milestones:
- Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to miss several weeks. His absence is a major blow to Colorado’s Stanley Cup aspirations.
- Sidney Crosby reached the 450-goal mark in his career with his goal against the Canucks.
Looking Ahead:
With another exciting night of hockey in the books, fans can gear up for a full slate of games on Saturday, January 13th. Key matchups include the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Carolina Hurricanes clashing with the New York Rangers, and the Calgary Flames looking to extend their winning streak against the Anaheim Ducks. Buckle up, hockey fans, because the NHL is showing no signs of slowing down!
Article above assisted by Google Bard, article below assisted by ChatGPT.
Comprehensive NHL News Summary – January 12, 2024
Colorado Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog’s Recovery
Gabriel Landeskog of the Colorado Avalanche, after undergoing cartilage replacement surgery on his right knee, returned to practice. His recovery is significant but the journey to full comeback remains extensive. There’s cautious optimism about his return for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Anaheim Ducks: Trevor Zegras and Pavel Mintyukov Injuries
The Ducks are facing challenges with Trevor Zegras out for 6-8 weeks due to a broken left ankle requiring surgery, and Pavel Mintyukov also sidelined for approximately six weeks with a separated shoulder. This complicates potential in-season trades for the Ducks.
Edmonton Oilers: Potential Interest in Corey Perry
The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly considering inquiring about Corey Perry. Perry could contribute to the Oilers’ bottom six, but various factors like his interest in joining the team and contractual terms are yet to be addressed.
Montreal Canadiens: Sean Monahan’s Trade Prospects
The Canadiens have an arrangement in place to potentially trade Sean Monahan, following their agreement at the time of his recent contract signing.
Chicago Blackhawks: Injury Updates and Team Developments
The Blackhawks are navigating a series of injuries with Bedard undergoing surgery for a fractured jaw and expected to be out for 6-8 weeks. The team is also piecing together its roster as it looks forward to the NHL draft, with prospects of securing another top pick.
NHL Game Recaps
- Buffalo Sabres vs Ottawa Senators (5-3): Tage Thompson led the Sabres to a victory with notable plays and goals, securing a strong position for the team.
- Carolina Hurricanes vs Anaheim Ducks (6-3): Seth Jarvis played a key role in the Hurricanes’ win with his assists and a goal.
- Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals (4-1): The Kraken achieved their eighth consecutive win, pushing their point streak to 12, with significant contributions from players like Tye Kartye and Justin Schultz.
- San Jose Sharks vs Montreal Canadiens (3-2): The Sharks ended a 12-game losing streak, overcoming the Canadiens with goals from players like Kunin and Zetterlund.
Additional Highlights
- The Sharks’ victory in Montreal was notable, ending their prolonged losing streak and marking an important shift in their season performance.
- Other games across the league also brought significant outcomes, with teams like the Sabres and Kraken showcasing strong performances.
This summary encapsulates the key news and developments in the NHL as of January 12, 2024, highlighting player injuries, team strategies, and game outcomes that are shaping the current hockey season.
