It wasn’t just the Canadiens in action last night in the NHL.
Four other games were on the schedule:
Four of five matchups Monday concluded as one-goal games. Did your team come out with a tightly-contested victory? #NHLStats: https://t.co/FSOh1ImkgI pic.twitter.com/LMEeodGcS8
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 19, 2023
1: We want Fleury!”
In what could certainly have been his last career game in Pittsburgh, Marc-André Fleury was left out by the Wild and John Hynes.
The reason was simple: Hynes wanted to give himself the best chance of winning and decided to go with his best-performing goaltender so far this season.
All in all, the coach’s decision caused quite a stir on social networks yesterday. And with good reason.
The Penguins started the game well: they led 3-0 early in the third period after goals from Reilly Smith, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin, but that’s when the Wild woke up:
The Wild have come back to tie it from down 3-0 👀 pic.twitter.com/7joFIOpt1F
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2023
The Wild came from behind in the game, but were unable to win. Sidney Crosby scored in the third period, which turned out to be the winning goal.
Fans in Pittsburgh didn’t forget Fleury, either. They chanted “We want Fleury” at one point during the game, which led to a few very special seconds for the Quebec goalie:
“We want Fleury” chants in Pittsburgh 👀 pic.twitter.com/ABzdZcYZnm
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2023
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
2: The Kane – DeBrincat chemistry is still there
Patrick Kane has signed his contract with the Detroit Red Wings and it’s going well so far.
The veteran forward made his decision with a view to joining a talented club, but joining up with his good friend Alex DeBrincat was also a factor.
We know that the two American forwards built up a great chemistry when they played together in Chicago… And clearly, said chemistry is still working very well.
The two little players combined their efforts to create a simply magnificent piece of play:
That’s some crispy passing pic.twitter.com/5g4kZS5EsE
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 19, 2023
Unfortunately for the Wings, the work of Kane (two assists) and DeBrincat (two goals) wasn’t enough to allow their club to escape with the victory.
The Ducks ended up winning the game 4-3.
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
3 : Pardon?
I almost fell out of my chair when I saw that statistic in my news feed this morning. Because it’s just crazy!
Last night, against the Wild, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin scored.
It was the 119th time in history that the Pens’ two leaders have scored in the same game since the start of their respective careers…
And the club, under such circumstances, has a record of 104 wins, 10 losses and 5 more setbacks in overtime.
That’s really, really impressive.
Crosby and Malkin have scored in the same regular season game 119 times, including tonight.
The Penguins are 104-10-5 in those games 🤯🤯 (h/t @bobgrove91) pic.twitter.com/MUabvzN8ad
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 19, 2023
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
4: A first goal for Tatar in Seattle
Last Friday evening, December 15, Tomas Tatar was traded.
Just two months after signing a contract with the Colorado Avalanche, he had to pack his bags for Seattle…
And let’s just say, the former Habs forward didn’t wait too long to make new friends at his new club.
Tatar took advantage of a juicy rebound in front of the net to score his very first goal in his new uniform.
It was only his second game with the Kraken, by the way.
By way of comparison, it took him 26 games to score his first goal of the season with the Avalanche…
Tatar’s first goal as a member of the #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/Ijs0fGx8dv
– Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 19, 2023
In the end, the Kraken lost 4-3 to the Stars.
The club has won only two of its last 12 games:
#SeaKraken with just 2 wins in their last 12 (2-6-4).
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 19, 2023
Extension
– He’s having a good time.
Matt Duchene with 4 goals, 7 pts in his last 4 games. 27 pts in 29 games on the season. Great fit for him in Dallas. #TexasHockey
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 19, 2023
– Well done.
Mikael Backlund scored his 17th career shorthanded goal and surpassed Kent Nilsson (16) for sole possession of the second most in @NHLFlames history, behind only Theo Fleury (28).#NHLStats: https://t.co/FSOh1ImkgI https://t.co/X6S6hqkLw1
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 19, 2023
– Nice company.
The Kraken tied it late, but the @DallasStars received some overtime heroics from 22-year-old Thomas Harley. #NHLStats: https://t.co/FSOh1ImkgI pic.twitter.com/hyhT5Q8VKQ
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 19, 2023
– Whew.
THIS CLOSE to our first ever goalie goal 🤯#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/rBIXrZzpwR
– Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 19, 2023
– I love the atmosphere.
Stars barn is ROCKIN’ pic.twitter.com/VxuoXK3nWH
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 19, 2023
– Top scorers of the night :
– Busiest NHL schedule today :