Yesterday’s nine-game schedule in the National Hockey League provided us with some very interesting highlights.
Here’s what caught our attention in those nine games.
1. Jonathan Quick saves the day against the Panthers
Since the start of the Rangers season, there’s been one goalkeeper who’s really wowed the gallery and surprised everyone with his excellent performances.
And surprisingly, I’m not talking about the Rangers’ number-one goalie, Igor Shesterkin, but rather Jonathan Quick.
The 37-year-old veteran is having an excellent season, with a .916 save percentage and a 2.41 goals-against average after 13 games.
These are solid statistics for a goaltender who was seen as finished last season, especially considering that these stats are better than Shesterkin’s (.908 and 2.77).
Last night, it was Quick defending the Rangers’ cage against the Florida Panthers, and although the game ended in a 4-3 Rangers loss, Quick earned himself quite a highlight with a save that will clearly be a candidate for save of the year.
🦂 OH MY, JONATHAN QUICK 🦂 pic.twitter.com/4RJdnG4Voq
– NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2023
Really quite a stop, without looking too.
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2. Juuse Saros also makes a save that will be a candidate for save of the year
Here’s another goalkeeper who wanted to stand out from the crowd last night.
Juuse Saros completely robbed none other than Patrick Kane.
SAROS TURN FOR SAVE OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE pic.twitter.com/18C2Q2hXGn
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 30, 2023
Kane had a completely empty net, but Saros dove to rob him of a sure goal.
Which save do you prefer, Quick’s or Saros’?
For my part, I think Quick’s is a little more the result of luck, so I’d go with Saros.
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3. Roman Josi and Alex DeBrincat throw down the gloves
In the same game between the Nashville Predators and Detroit Red Wings, two teams fiercely battling for a playoff spot in their respective conferences, there was another interesting highlight.
We were treated to a battle between two players we’re not used to seeing throw down the gloves.
Preds star defenseman Roman Josi and Red Wings star forward Alex DeBrincat threw down the gloves.
DeBrincat and Josi drop the gloves 🥊 pic.twitter.com/0vZ9O8zhMx
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 30, 2023
An unexpected battle that made the Red Wings’ 5-4 overtime win all the more interesting.
RAYMOND ENDS IT! 🐙
Lucas Raymond nets the @Energizer overtime winner and the @DetroitRedWings get the W! pic.twitter.com/31NDjsmrpG
– NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2023
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4. Johnny Gaudreau gives Blue Jackets victory
For the second time in a few weeks, the Blue Jackets won a crazy game by a score of 6-5 in overtime against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Last night, the Blue Jackets took advantage of their limited offensive opportunities to win a big game.
It was Johnny Gaudreau who gave the Blue Jackets the win in overtime.
Just had to be Johnny Hockey 🏒
Johnny Gaudreau scores the @SUBWAYCanada OT winner for the Blue Jackets! pic.twitter.com/k3nHrhADU2
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 30, 2023
Of course, it was another unnecessary defeat for the Maple Leafs, as Ilya Samsonov was again very ordinary.
I’ll come back to this in another article later this morning.
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5. Hat trick for Roope Hintz
The Central Division is shaping up to be a three-team race for first place between the Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars.
Every point is therefore more than important, and Roope Hintz understood this last night when he scored a hat-trick against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Roope Hintz completed the hat trick with just eight seconds left in overtime! ⭐️
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/MvfJRhbajG
– NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2023
These are two very important points for the Stars, who remain just one point behind the Avalanche with two games in hand.
Extension
– Connor Ingram and the Coyotes continue to surprise everyone. Ingram leads the NHL in shutouts this season.
That’s Connor Ingram’s(@CBIngram1) fourth @pepsi shutout of the season. 🐺
He’s now tied for the League lead! pic.twitter.com/NGw5ATSc0w
– NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2023
– What a clever pass from Matias Maccelli.
Sit back and enjoy this gorgeous apple from Matias Maccelli. 🍎 pic.twitter.com/KyQZdNtV3B
– NHL (@NHL) December 30, 2023
– Here are the results from the previous day.
There were a total of 14 tying goals across the nine-game slate Friday, with 11 of those coming in high-scoring, back-and-forth games won by the home club (plus the @SeattleKraken rallied to win their final game before the #WinterClassic).#NHLStats: https://t.co/EXjYZA1BFK pic.twitter.com/maWJpo5Lto
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 30, 2023
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– Today’s schedule: nine games.