There were only four games in the National Hockey League yesterday, and there was a good show in every one of them.
Here are some of the highlights.
1. Jonathan Marchessault records fifth career hat trick
With the loss of Jack Eichel until the end of February/beginning of March, the Vegas Golden Knights will have to hold on if they are to remain well positioned in the standings.
They’ve had a rougher time of it recently, so it would be better for them if they didn’t have another one.
In Jack Eichel’s absence, other players will have to step up all the more, and Jonathan Marchessault understands this.
As Vegas took on one of the NHL’s top teams, the New York Rangers, the Quebecer stood up and scored a hat trick, his fifth career hat trick.
It was the Jonathan Marchessault show tonight in NYC! ⚔️
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/o3a1vWIEC0
– NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2024
Marchessault’s three goals gave the Golden Knights a 5-2 win over the Rangers.
The Quebecer continues to be an extremely important player in the Golden Knights’ success, with 25 goals and 15 assists this season for a total of 40 points in 49 games.
Marchessault could become a free agent this summer at age 33, when his six-year, $5-million-a-year contract expires.
This will be an interesting story to follow.
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2. Pavel Buchnevich celebrates in a funny way
The St. Louis Blues are part of an exciting playoff race in the Western Conference.
Only the top two teams will advance to the playoffs.
Many teams are fighting for the last two spots in the spring tournament, so every point is of the utmost importance, especially against direct rivals.
And Pavel Buchnevich understood this last night, when he helped the Blues earn two very big points against a direct rival, the Seattle Kraken.
Not only did he tie the game late on, but he also scored the winning goal in overtime in a 4-3 victory.
Pavel Buchnevich ties the game with his 15th of the season! 🎶#NHLStats: https://t.co/Go9knoay62
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/wvqksmALNL
– NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2024
And on the winning goal, Buchnevich swept his stick across the ice to celebrate.
The @StLouisBlues get the win thanks to Pavel Buchnevich netting the @Energizer overtime winner! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/MZLWggA6XC
– NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2024
In short, a great celebration for a very important victory for the St. Louis Blues.
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3. Nathan MacKinnon regains the lead among the NHL’s top scorers
Over the past few weeks, the race for the NHL’s top scorer has become a heated one between two players: Nikita Kucherov and Nathan MacKinnon.
Every day, while one is off, the other puts in an excellent, multi-point performance and takes over the lead in the scoring standings.
Pole position changes daily between the two players, and yesterday, well, while Nikita Kucherov rested, MacKinnon scored two points, including a goal, to regain the lead.
GUESS WHO!
Nathan MacKinnon now has a point in 25 straight home games! 😱 pic.twitter.com/pYQKZoS9oq
– NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2024
MacKinnon has scored in at least his last 25 home games.
Yesterday, it was in a 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings that he scored his points.
Speaking of the Kings, things are going really badly for them these days.
They’re in freefall in the standings.
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4. Sam Reinhart just won’t slow down
Here’s another one who just won’t slow down this season.
Sam Reinhart is having the best season of his career, and he’s not about to slow down.
Having already beaten his personal career high of 33 goals, Reinhart wants more.
Last night, in the Florida Panthers’ 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, Reinhart scored his 36th goal of the season.
No. 36 on the season for Sam Reinhart!
His point streak is now up to a dozen games. 🤯
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/wnGgk3AQIA
– NHL (@NHL) January 27, 2024
He’s only three goals behind NHL leader Auston Matthews.
Note that it was Reinhart who gave the Panthers victory in the shootout.
Sam Reinhart knows every shot is a goal at this point. He’s eating steak like @BizNasty2point0 while making goalies question their skill set #TimeToHunt @FlaPanthers @NHL @NHL_On_TNT pic.twitter.com/BJZAJH2Tot
– Lee Khan (@Khanvict_21) January 27, 2024
Every one of his shots turns into a goal.
Overtime
– Here are yesterday’s results.
Tonight ends with the @StLouisBlues just one point out of a Wild Card spot after the club won its fourth straight game, the League’s second-longest active streak behind Edmonton.#NHLStats: https://t.co/2axDIrquE0 pic.twitter.com/W3Bs6bRqyI
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 27, 2024
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– Today’s NHL schedule: 14 games.