For the second day running, four NHL games were on the bill.
Here are the results and highlights:
Tonight ends with three road teams collecting wins on a four-game slate, including the @Canucks who climbed into third place in the NHL’s overall standings.#NHLStats: https://t.co/cxhgRSSjQL pic.twitter.com/CZ9YUJWXn8
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 9, 2024
1. Jonathan Drouin used a lot
Jonathan Drouin, who is on a happy streak, finally has his coach’s trust.
His time in Colorado may have revived his career. Yesterday, he didn’t collect a point, but he was Jared Bednar’s third most-used forward.
28:16 of playing time.
Jonathan Drouin played 28+(!!) minutes tonight for the Avs. Honestly happy he’s found some success there. https://t.co/hMS1XkKxWp
– HabsLinks (@HabsLinks) January 9, 2024
For the past few games, the Quebecer has been playing in a trio with Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon.
Speaking of MacKinnon, since the beginning of the year, he and the Avalanche have played 22 games at Ball Arena.
And in each of those 22 games, MacKinnon has picked up a point. Yesterday, he continued his streak of home games with at least one point.
Nathan MacKinnon extended his home point streak to 22 games and is now one away from tying Joe Sakic (23 GP in 2000-01) for the longest such run (at any point in a season) in @Avalanche / Nordiques history.#NHLStats: https://t.co/cxhgRSSjQL https://t.co/7IimuuGpyt
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 9, 2024
He’s just one game away from matching Joe Sakic’s record.
On Wednesday, Colorado hosts the Golden Knights.
In yesterday’s game against Boston, the home team won in a shootout.
Valeri Nichuchkin put an end to the debate.
The Nichushkin train keeps chugging for the shootout winner! 🚂 pic.twitter.com/WRT4sD7gHw
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
On the losing side, Brad Marchand passed Rik Middleton for the most points in Bruins history.
Milestone Marchy ©️
With his second goal of the night in Colorado, The Captain has passed Rick Middleton for sole possession of fifth place on the #NHLBruins all-time scoring list. pic.twitter.com/opgIMKGa72
– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) January 9, 2024
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2. Canucks guns have fun against Rangers
The Canucks were in Times Square to take on the Rangers. It was a duel between two of the NHL’s best teams.
Vancouver prevailed 6-3.
The victory included some fine goals for the visitors.
First, Elias Pettersson doubled his team’s lead.
WHAT A MOVE BY PETTERSSON 😳 pic.twitter.com/SmHbTRtnnQ
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 9, 2024
Nils Hoglander also put on a show.
Holy moly Höglander 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nrSjtpdjDl
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
After 40 games, the Canucks now have three 50-point scorers.
Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes joined J.T. Miller as the second and third @Canucks players to reach the 50-point mark through 40 games, putting Vancouver in some exclusive company.#NHLStats: https://t.co/cxhgRSSjQL pic.twitter.com/GTUlW3W4vE
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 9, 2024
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3. Penguins-Flyers rivalry at its peak
The big rivalry dominating the Metropolitan Section is Penguins-Flyers.
Last night, the two Pennsylvania teams faced off in an emotionally-charged match.
Rickard Rakell first broke the ice after just a few seconds. He’s doing well these days.
Rickard Rakell converts on the power play 45 seconds into the game! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/8iCDwTnZTh
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
A disturbing scene ensued in the middle of the ice.
Scott Laughton and Sidney Crosby collided.
Laughton and Crosby collide at center ice. pic.twitter.com/ErqgxoI4eD
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
And as has always been the case, scrimmages broke out.
The Battle of Pennsylvania returning to form 🌀 pic.twitter.com/a4aNYSn9on
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
Midway through the third period, when Pittsburgh had a comfortable lead, Evgeni Malkin went with the classic argument.
“Look at the scoreboard:
“Yeah? What is score f-king a-hole!” 😳😂 pic.twitter.com/9MGWO602tq
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 9, 2024
Final score: 4-1. Cutter Gauthier must be happy.
4. Marc-André Fleury makes a spectacle of himself in defeat
Despite his team’s 4-0 loss to the Stars, Marc-André Fleury gave it his all.
He didn’t get past Patrick Roy in a game of spectacular saves.
First, he robbed Sam Steel.
Another day, another Marc-Andre Fleury highlight-reel stop. 😳 pic.twitter.com/hx60a2vx25
– NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2024
Then he was lucky, but he controlled Joe Pavelski’s shot well.
Fleury gets a skate on the Pavelski snapshot 🌸 pic.twitter.com/fmG05MCHqS
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
Finally, he made his best save with the help of a sublime move.
Fleury continues to win the battle against Father Time 🕰️ pic.twitter.com/Bw1cEG92Zm
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
The Quebecer ended the game with 16 saves on 20 shots. Not a great night overall, despite his fine saves.
Overtime
– Two too many men on the ice at the same time.
NHL | An oddity not seen since 2006 https://t.co/fqH7MOebdz
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 9, 2024
– Dangerous move.
Matt Boldy heads down the tunnel after receiving this hit from Sam Steel. pic.twitter.com/mt1E22Cmtx
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 9, 2024
– Shutout by Matt Murray of the Stars.
You love to see it. 👏 @Mattmurray_31 records his first career @pepsi shutout in his first start of the season! pic.twitter.com/KHio7jXiYo
– NHL (@NHL) January 9, 2024
– Top scorers from the previous day.
– Busier night in the NHL tonight.