For the second and final time this season, all National Hockey League teams were in action yesterday, with 16 games on the schedule.
Here are the highlights of a very busy day.
1. Leafs escape three-goal lead
The Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Colorado Avalanche last night.
Things started well for the Leafs, as they took a 3-0 lead after one period.
However, you know the Leafs as well as I do, they’re never immune to a comeback, and that’s exactly what happened, as the Avalanche scored five unanswered goals.
Former Montreal Canadien Jonathan Drouin had the time of his life with a goal (his tenth of the season) and an assist.
His goal came on the power play in a bizarre sequence, in which T.J. Brodie avoided touching/intercepting the puck to prevent an immediate 5-on-3.
However, as the puck passes through, it ends up on the stick of Ross Colton, who passes to Drouin in the slot for a goal.
What the hell is TJ Brodie doing on this play? Chalk it up as a mental lapse? #LeafsForever #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/9XezD6i8oZ
– Michael Pagani (@MichaelPagani) January 14, 2024
In short, things continue to go very well for Drouin in Colorado, who has 16 points in his last 15 games.
Here’s Nathan MacKinnon’s winning goal, on which Drouin gets his assist.
Jonathan Drouin now has 16 points in his last 15 games, including 1G+1A tonight. pic.twitter.com/2wXbpMDXTT
– Jason Gold (@JayGold85) January 14, 2024
In short, things are going well for Drouin, who now has 24 points (ten goals and 14 assists) in 41 games.
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2. Christopher Tanev saves a sure-fire goal against the Golden Knights
The Calgary Flames are having a rather complicated season, as they struggle to stay in the playoff hunt in the Western Conference.
They got off to a poor start to the season, and have never really been able to put together an impressive sequence to get back on track like the Edmonton Oilers.
But the Flames aren’t giving up, and every point in the standings is crucial.
In fact, they won a big game last night, 3-1 over the mighty Vegas Golden Knights.
Even with a two-goal lead, Chris Tanev came up trumps to secure both points for his team.
Chris Tanev with a clutch goal line save in the final seconds ๐ pic.twitter.com/AFJBXvCx9n
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 14, 2024
Andrew Mangiapane earned his 200แต career point in the win.
200 career points for Andrew Mangiapane with his helper on Mikael Backlund’s goal! ๐ค pic.twitter.com/1EVuQwlYwU
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 14, 2024
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3. Nick Bjugstad scores a hat trick at home in Minnesota
Returning to play in your hometown is always special for a hockey player, especially if you’ve played for the team before.
It’s a special moment to be playing at home on the other side of the net.to blacken the score sheet as much as possible.
Last night, Nick Bjugstad faced the Wild in Minnesota, and therefore in his hometown, and let’s just say he didn’t hold back.
He scored a hat trick in a 6-0 win for the Arizona Coyotes.
There’s scoring a hat trick, and then there’s scoring a hat trick in your hometown. ๐
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/s3tcr6T6uM
– NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2024
Note that this shutout was Connor Ingram’s 5แต of the season, taking over the NHL lead for shutouts this season.
๐บ PERFECT ONCE AGAIN ๐บ
Connor Ingram(@CBIngram1) takes over the League lead with his fifth @pepsi shutout of the season! pic.twitter.com/QuOKFBF9Fc
– NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2024
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4. Big win for Flyers over Jets, courtesy of Samuel Ersson
The Philadelphia Fluers are having an amazing season, not only holding their own in the playoffs, but also in the Metropolitan Division’s top-3 since the start of the season.
Few would have predicted that the Flyers would be one of the NHL’s good teams this season.
Credit must be given to the players, but above all to head coach John Tortorella, who has really done a job with this team.
In short, the Flyers are staying in the playoffs, and this is largely due to big wins against good teams.
Yesterday, Tortorella’s team earned a big win over the Winnipeg Jets, who were first in the NHL yesterday.
The Flyers won 2-0 thanks to a solid performance from their 24-year-old goaltender, Samuel Ersson.
Samuel Ersson propels the @NHLFlyers to victory with his third @pepsi shutout of the season. ๐ pic.twitter.com/9g6k1i7GeN
– NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2024
In short, the Flyers retain third place in the Metropolitan Division after taking on the mighty Jets.
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5. Antti Raanta saves the day against the Penguins
A game between two rival teams in the same division always provides a good spectacle.
Yesterday, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Pittsburgh Penguins played out an exciting, close game.
One of the highlights of the game was an incredible save by Antti Raanta on none other than Sidney Crosby.
OH GOODNESS, ANTTI RAANTA!!! ๐ฑ pic.twitter.com/tuJg3kV8iG
– NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2024
This game was finally decided in overtime, as Brett Pesce gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 victory.
๐ BRETT PESCE ๐
The @Canes put away the @Energizer overtime winner and pick the up extra point! pic.twitter.com/Y9fUJzixxU
– NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2024
Overtime
– Patrick Kane scores a goal that only he can do.
Patrick Kane you BEAUTY#LGRW
pic.twitter.com/c0QLeorxov– Barstool Detroit (@BSMotorCity) January 14, 2024
– Here are yesterday’s results.
That’s a wrap on the second and final 16-game day of the season. Did your team pick up two points?#NHLStats: https://t.co/gCU8UtYGp5 pic.twitter.com/c1Ree92FYw
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 14, 2024
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– On today’s NHL schedule: two games.