Last night, there were only six games in the NHL.
Several good duels were on the cards.
Here are the results and highlights:
The @FlaPanthers extended their lead in the Presidents’ Trophy Race during a six-game Monday.#NHLStats: https://t.co/qBpnwAM02d pic.twitter.com/NcS0mgCotU
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 5, 2024
1. Jonathan Drouin has more goals in 2023-2024 than in his last three seasons in Montreal
Jonathan Drouin scored a goal last night, his 11th of the season. An excellent shot on his part.
This gives him more goals than in the last three seasons combined (10).
What a shot! Jonathan Drouin with an absolute laser of a wrist shot top cheese just under the bar.@jodrouin27@OctagonHockey pic.twitter.com/cnEglqWFlv
– Allan Walshπ (@walsha) March 5, 2024
He scored two in 2022-2023, six in 2021-2022 and two more in 2020-2021.
Teammate Nathan MacKinnon was playing in his 30th home game this season.
In the first 29, he had collected at least one point. Yesterday, he increased this superb sequence to 30.
He completely dominated the Blackhawks with a four-point performance (two goals and two assists).
Nathan MacKinnon, unstoppable at Ball Arena.#NHLStats: https://t.co/qBpnwAM02d pic.twitter.com/1aAOn5G9qP
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 5, 2024
He’s still a few games away from Wayne Gretzky’s record, but honestly, it’s getting there.
The Avalanche’s best player has 11 home games left this season, so he could break the 99 record as early as 2024.
Do you believe in him? Hard to bet against him, anyway.
Another who played a strong game was Cale Makar. He collected two points and became the best offensive defenseman in the concession’s history.
And he only played 296 games….
Triple Threat π#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/Py0XDCHobT
– Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 5, 2024
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
2. A spectacular pass from Aleksander Barkov
Stop what you’re doing: the pass of the year goes to Aleksander Barkov.
Like a member of Cirque du Soleil, he juggled.
WHAT AN UNBELIEVABLE PASS FROM ALEKSANDER BARKOV! π±
Is it the pass of the year? pic.twitter.com/AI0EsKvbrV
– NHL (@NHL) March 5, 2024
On the sequence, Sam Reinhart was credited with the goal, his 25th power-play goal of the season, but it’s not even that feat that people will remember.
I say feat, because the forward, who will become a UFA at the end of the season, has more man-advantage goals than Nick Suzuki all season (24).
Reinhart scored another moments later.
He’s now on 44 goals this season, nine behind leader Auston Matthews (53).
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
3. Alex Nylander hat-trick
A few days ago, Alex Nylander was traded to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Emil Bemstrom.
This gave both forwards a fresh start.
Alex Nylander was the big beneficiary of this change of scenery. In five games, he has six points.
And yesterday, he scored a hat trick against the Knights.
In just his fifth game with the @BlueJacketsNHL, Alex Nylander collects the first hat trick of his career! π
Hat Trick Challenge Presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/LHaFbHYUge
– NHL (@NHL) March 5, 2024
It was his first career hat trick.
In defeat, Jack Eichel did not collect a point, but played his first game since January 11.
Jack Eichel has been activated off of IR and will make his return vs. the Blue Jackets tonight. https://t.co/R9bsmHul26
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 5, 2024
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
4. Martin Pospisil hasn’t made friends with the Kraken
Flames forward Martin Pospisil is an energy player. But yesterday, he may have crossed the line.
First, he hit Adam Larsson. Borderline hit.
Oh my god…head on a swivel kids! pic.twitter.com/ZzpNmeCqw9
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 5, 2024
Then he pulverized Vince Dunn on the ramp in the third period.
That hit sent him out of the game.
Pospisil hit on Dunn. pic.twitter.com/2J7i8A6qcL
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) March 5, 2024
Seattle didn’t take advantage of the five-minute power play, but the club still won.
Final score: 4-2.
The match was hotly contested.
Tanev and Coleman were not happy with each other π¬ pic.twitter.com/RbhOoQHYQj
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 5, 2024
(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});
5. Pavel Buchnevich gives the best gift to Kevin Hayes
For the first time since moving from the Flyers to the Blues, Kevin Hayes was back in Philadelphia.
He received a standing ovation at the start of the game.
Flyers Fans and Torts welcoming Kevin Hayes back to Philly πpic.twitter.com/EJ0vrFMGuL
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 5, 2024
He even spoiled himself with a breakaway goal.
That goal tied the game, so both teams needed a shootout.
It was Pavel Buchnevich who sent everyone home with his goal against Samuel Ersson.
Buchnevich wins it for the Blues on a slick shootout move π₯ pic.twitter.com/pslypm1aPX
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 5, 2024
Poor guy, he didn’t know where to turn.
Victory for St. Louis, 2-1.
Prolongation
– He’s loved.
They’re chanting “Rempe” at the Garden π pic.twitter.com/LaVYFvbtAp
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 5, 2024
– Another one.
That’s back-to-back @pepsi shutouts for Justus Annunen! π» pic.twitter.com/EE36a7k7aI
– NHL (@NHL) March 5, 2024
– One does not simply get away from hitting Matthew Tkachuk.
One does not simply get away from hitting Tkachuk pic.twitter.com/MkzIJZZxII
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 5, 2024
– Big win for the Bruins.
A well deserved goalie hug for Jeremy Swayman who put up a 32-save performance in Toronto π« pic.twitter.com/NsmPtnUJZv
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 5, 2024
– MacKinnon leads the charge.
– Great night of hockey ahead.