It was a big day in the National Hockey League yesterday, with 26 teams in action across 13 different games.
Without further ado, here are the highlights of the day’s hockey action.
1. John Tortorella drops a notch as Flyers are humiliated
Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella has always been used to crazy situations, either because of his strong character, or because of his audacity, or simply because of both.
Well, last night, Tortorella’s wacky decision was to employ a line-up of 13 forwards and five defensemen, which is quite rare in the NHL.
It was a bold move that ended with a 7-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, including four goals after just 11 minutes and 49 seconds in the first period.
You’re probably thinking that Tortorella couldn’t possibly have been calm after seeing his team suffer such a deficit in such a short space of time.
Well, bingo, you were right, because the Flyers’ head coach was in an uproar, which earned him an ejection from the game by the referees.
Tortorella, on the other hand, wanted nothing to do with leaving the game and stayed to argue with the referees.
Flyers coach John Tortorella wouldn’t leave after getting tossed π pic.twitter.com/YNDaCzwFyZ
– Bally Sports Sun: Lightning (@BallyLightning) March 10, 2024
True Torts.
Here are his exact words.
See this post on Instagram
In short, a night to forget for John Tortorella’s Flyers, who are currently fighting to keep their playoff spot.
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2. Anthony Duclair scores his first Lightning goal
In the midst of all the John Tortorella brouhaha, we mustn’t forget that there was also a hockey game, which was dominated by the Lightning.
Of Tampa Bay’s seven goals, one was scored by newcomer Anthony Duclair.
The Quebecer was playing his first game with the Lightning, and wasted no time in making his mark.
WELCOME TO TAMPA BAY, ANTHONY DUCLAIR! π pic.twitter.com/MCg9tGrer5
– NHL (@NHL) March 10, 2024
Duclair had also picked up an assist earlier in the game, making it two points in his first game in a Lightning uniform.
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3. The Vladimir Tarasenko show
Here’s another who’s skating for the first time with his new team.
After being blanked in his first game with the Panthers, Tarasenko was on fire yesterday, as he scored his first two goals in a Panthers uniform, as well as picking up an assist.
Tarasenko gets his first as a Panther π₯ pic.twitter.com/0MFnEm2pM1
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 9, 2024
Tarasenko officially on hatty watch π pic.twitter.com/yL9vqc8TA0
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 9, 2024
So he helped the Panthers retain first place in the NHL with a 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames.
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4. Good karma for the Sabres against the Oilers
With the game in a 2-2 tie at the very end of overtime, Owen Power seems to give the Sabres the win with a beautiful shot.
OWEN POWER WINS IT WITH 2 SECONDS REMAINING IN OVERTIME! pic.twitter.com/HGN4P4yj5p
– The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) March 9, 2024
However, the play is eventually reviewed for offside, and the goal is disallowed.
The Oilers players all returned to the bench, thinking the game was over.
Owen Power scored the OT winner for the Sabres and everyone thought the game was over…
BUT… the play was deemed offside, so after leaving the ice both teams had to return for the final seconds.
(π₯: @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/2DllElHxYq
– BarDown (@BarDown) March 9, 2024
So the game resumes, and heads to a shootout.
And in the end, the Sabres still prevailed.
π¨ALEX TUCH π¨ @fatteybeer
Tuch with a quick move fires it by Skinner and the Sabres win 3-2 in a shootout! They win for the second time in one game!!! #LetsGoBuffalo pic.twitter.com/zA9KMrYjrB
– 2 Goalies 1 Mic (@2Goalies1Mic) March 9, 2024
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5. Canucks currently holding their breath
The Vancouver Canucks are having a truly magnificent season, much to everyone’s surprise.
Their attack is devastating, and Quinn Hughes is simply dominant, but we often forget that one of the big reasons behind the Canucks’ success this season is Thatcher Demko,
The Canucks’ goalie has been truly excellent since the start of the campaign.
He’ll be very important to Vancouver’s potential playoff run.
However, yesterday, with the Canucks up 4-0 late in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets, Demko left the game and was replaced by former Habs goaltender Casey DeSmith.
DeSmith has entered the game in place of Demko pic.twitter.com/V4qREfY8Tj
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 10, 2024
He didn’t return to the game, so Canucks fans are holding their breath right now.
It would be a horrible loss if Demko were to suffer a serious injury.
But if Rich Tocchet’s words are anything to go by, it would be more fear than harm.
Tocchet re Demko, “I don’t think it’s serious” but adds he hasn’t spoken to the doctor. #Canucks @TSNHockey
– Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) March 10, 2024
Extension
– Did you know Connor Bedard had hands? Wow. Unfortunately, it came to nothing, as with this loss, the Chicago Blackhawks became the first team officially eliminated from the playoffs this season.
How about the stick handling from Bedard π pic.twitter.com/PVoUoyB9VI
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 10, 2024
– Ruslan Ishakov pulls off a magnificent feint in the shootout.
Ruslan Ishakov.π«#NHLfi #AHLfi
– Heikki Mannonen (@HMannone) March 10, 2024
– The Ottawa Senators season summed up in one video.
Oh no Shane Pinto pic.twitter.com/yN0G9JvGFa
– JD Young (@MyFryHole) March 10, 2024
– Amazing how the kid has already found a way to be adored.
The Matt Rempe warmup cheers continue pic.twitter.com/zUOjolWOUZ
– Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 10, 2024
– A spectacular save and a first NHL win for Magnus Chrona.
What a save from Magnus Chrona in his first NHL win!π
via @NHL
pic.twitter.com/ZamZ8XqQjs– BarDown (@BarDown) March 10, 2024
– Here are yesterday’s results.
That’s a wrap on 13 games and more than 12 hours of hockey. Did your team pick up two points?#NHLStats: https://t.co/gZOyhQc1B2 pic.twitter.com/xN3R0sUyNv
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 10, 2024
– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.
– Today’s NHL schedule: five games.