It was another busy Thursday night in the NHL, with no fewer than 14 games on the schedule yesterday.
Without further ado, here’s what caught the eye across the Bettman circuit:
1. Tristan Jarry scores a “goalie’s goal
It’s not every day you see a goalie score a goal in hockey. In fact, last season, Linus Ullmark scored what was only the 16th “goalie goal” in NHL history.
It’s always a beautiful moment when it happens, though.
And last night, we were treated to the 17th “goalie goal” in league history, as Tristan Jarry became the first Penguins goaltender in history to score a goal.
He had scored one in the AHL in 2018, but this time he did it in the Bettman Circuit.
GOALIE GOAL.
GOALIE GOAL.
GOALIE GOAL. pic.twitter.com/O54WWCrYvn– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 1, 2023
In doing so, he surpassed Josh Anderson (and Max Domi) in goals scored this season. Ouch.
In the end, the Penguins won 4-2.
Nikita Kucherov, the league’s top scorer this season, added two assists last night. He now has 39 points in 23 games so far this campaign.
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2. A first NHL goal for Tristan Luneau
Since the start of the season, the Ducks’ young players have impressed. Whether it’s Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, Pavel Mintyukov or Leo Carlsson, to name but a few, the kids are proving that the future is bright for the Ducks.
And among the club’s bank of youngsters, we mustn’t forget Quebecer Tristan Luneau. The right-handed defenseman is a solid prospect who has made a good start in the NHL.
And last night, Luneau scored his first career goal on the Bettman circuit.
🚨 TRISTAN LUNEAU FIRST NHL GOAL 🚨
These young @AnaheimDucks continue to impress. pic.twitter.com/j9hGYNID5V
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
He can thank Joel Edmundson, who served him a beautiful “pass” on the palette.
Luneau also added an assist in a 5-4 loss to the Ducks. But more on that later…
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3. The Hughes brothers put on a show
Although we’ve heard a lot about Quinn Hughes since the start of the season, his two younger brothers with the Devils shouldn’t be ignored either. Jack is already one of the best forwards on the circuit, while Luke is excelling in his rookie season.
Yesterday, however, Luke gave the Devils a good scare when he had to retreat to the dressing room after a heavy fall against the boards.
Garnet Hathaway received a game misconduct for her action.
Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway ejected (5 minute major + game misconduct) for boarding #NJDevils‘ Luke Hughes.pic.twitter.com/r7ZddCLLRj
– NHL News (@PuckReportNHL) December 1, 2023
The good news, however, is that Luke was able to get back into the game.
And in overtime, the two Hughes brothers decided to make a spectacle of themselves by combining their efforts to score a magnificent winning goal.
A beautiful pass from Jack allowed Luke to fire a shot on landing… and he didn’t hesitate to celebrate in style.
Luke Hughes, take a bow! pic.twitter.com/k2xMW2EOxs
– New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 1, 2023
Devils’ 4-3 overtime win over the Flyers.
The older of the two brothers, Jack, collected three points in his team’s victory.
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4. Three NHL hat-tricks
There were plenty of goals in the NHL yesterday, but in the end, no fewer than three players scored hat tricks.
First, Mitch Marner put on a show, scoring his second career hat trick in the first 40 minutes of the Maple Leafs’ game.
For a guy who hadn’t scored in his last eight games, it must have felt good.
🪄 MAGIC MITCH 🪄
Mitch Marner(@Marner93) nets the second hat trick of his career, and he does it in the opening 40 minutes of play! 🍁
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/EVURW9tniu
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
However, Marner didn’t get a ton of support from his teammates, so both teams needed overtime and then a shootout to settle the matter.
Who scored the winning goal in the shootout? Mitch Marner, of course, who gave his team a 4-3 win over the Kraken.
Three goals ✅
Shootout winner ✅Have yourself a night, Mitch Marner! pic.twitter.com/FpFwp92yP2
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
But two other players emulated Marner (without the shootout-winning goal) later in the evening. One of them was Tom Wilson, who scored his first career hat trick in his 700th NHL game.
He was instrumental in the Capitals’ 5-4 win over Tristan Luneau’s Ducks.
Tom Wilson netted his first career hat trick in his 700th career game! 👏
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/4X8APjynw3
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
Then, at the Minnesota Wild, little-known Connor Dewar also scored his first career hat trick.
With two goals in 20 games this season, his three-goal explosion yesterday came out of nowhere. Still, it helped the Wild to a 6-1 win over the Predators.
It’s the first career hat trick for Connor Dewar! 🤩
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/xWBmIQKquq
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
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5. A goal analyzed live by dad for Jake Neighbours
Last night, the Blues hosted the Sabres in St. Louis. For the occasion, Ed Neighbours, father of forward Jake Neighbours, was on hand, and midway through the first period, he gave a quick interview to the Blues TV broadcast team.
As fate would have it, Neighbours (the son) found the back of the net while Neighbours (the father) was in the middle of an interview.
The father immediately flashed a proud smile, then briefly analyzed his son’s goal live.
Jake Neighbours just scored while his dad was being interviewed on TV.
Then dad analyzed it.
Now THAT’s #content. pic.twitter.com/aFU8pJMFza
– St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) December 1, 2023
And clearly, Dad’s presence inspired Jake, who added a second goal to his tally later in the game.
The Blues prevailed in an offensive festival that ended 6-4. Three points for Brayden Schenn in the win.
Overtime
– The CH, also in action yesterday, lost to the Panthers.
A disastrous third period sinks the Habs → https://t.co/sIvqBHqnDx
– DansLesCoulisses (@DLCoulisses) December 1, 2023
– A historic goal for Sidney Crosby.
And with that, Sidney Crosby moves into a tie for 24th on the all-time goals scored list with No. 564! 🐧 pic.twitter.com/PN1qcbJIg8
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
– Great Connor Bedard.
No-looker from Connor Bedard finds Lukas Reichel(@lukas__44) in front! ❌ 👀 pic.twitter.com/6HWOTq91wN
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
– Shutout for Jeremy Swayman.
It’s a @pepsi shutout for @JeremySwayman as he turned aside 26 pucks for the @NHLBruins! ❌ pic.twitter.com/Q3A8r6zyk6
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
– He really is a spectacular player.
Zach Benson spin cycle! 🔄 pic.twitter.com/qvcvzNa5g3
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 1, 2023
– Wow!
OH GOODNESS, ROBBY 😮💨
What a Fabbri-lous move! 🤌 pic.twitter.com/cDJtmdsfM3
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
– A thing of beauty. He collected four points last night.
🚨 MAT BARZAL CALLS GAME 🚨
The @NYIslanders bag the extra point in Carolina with an @Energizer OT winner! pic.twitter.com/SvzoGOSAIq
– NHL (@NHL) December 1, 2023
– Joel Farabee was benched last night. He spent just 56 seconds on the ice the entire game, even though the Flyers saw Garnet Hathaway ejected early in the game.
See this post on Instagram
– Previous day’s results.
What a way to close out November!
The last night of the month featured three hat tricks, a goalie goal, several players skating in milestone games and so much more. #NHLStats: https://t.co/MSXwCWQssK pic.twitter.com/6PFiJn4f8L
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 1, 2023
– Last night’s top scorers. Not surprising to see a Connor in the front row, though he’s not one of those who’s used to being there.
– Two games on the bill today.