Big night of action in the NHL last night.
There were 22 clubs playing. Here are the results and highlights:
That’s a wrap on an 11-game Tuesday! #NHLStats: https://t.co/c50qPsbMBw pic.twitter.com/L3QZZtwrCf
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 20, 2023
1. Jacques Martin loses Sens’ first game at the helm
Despite expectations, the Senators are facing a difficult 2023-2024 season.
Yesterday, the team’s new head coach, Jacques Martin, played his first game at the helm. And it started well.
Ottawa took a 3-0 lead against the Coyotes.
But…
Arizona didn’t give up, scoring three unanswered goals to tie the game.
Yotes rally back with 3 unanswered to tie it up 🚨pic.twitter.com/tHrpNB5UkN
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 20, 2023
And what had to happen happened.
The home side took a late lead and won the game.
The Coyotes comback is complete! 👏
Arizona secured the win after being down by three early in the game! pic.twitter.com/Hv23clj9iO
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
An unsuccessful debut, then, for Martin and Daniel Alfredsson.
Maybe they can’t work miracles either…
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2. Auston Matthews tops NHL in goals
Last week, John Tavares collected the 1000th point of his career.
Last night, before the game, he was honoured in front of his fans.
Leafs celebrate John Tavares’ 1,000th point ahead of their game tonight 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3d1x0uz1w2
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 20, 2023
But the man who stole the show was Auson Matthews.
The American finished the game with two goals and now has 25 goals this season.
He’s on course to score 72.
Auston Matthews current goal pace: 72
At that pace, he would end the season with 371 goals in his career, 134th in NHL history.
That would be above:
– Jason Spezza
– Bobby Clarke
– Henri Richard
– Henrik Zetterberg
– Bernie Federko
– Wendel ClarkBy the end of next season,… pic.twitter.com/i26TJkkJfM
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) December 20, 2023
Matthews also has as many games of two goals or more as the CH’s leading scorer (Sean Monahan) has nets.
Quite a player!
Here are the center’s two goals last night:
That’s the League-leading 24th goal of the season for Auston Matthews(@AM34)! 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/CooVO01FEb
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
Matthews has both goals for Toronto 👀 pic.twitter.com/kXwLLB6YYL
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 20, 2023
The Rangers spoiled the party, however, with a 5-2 victory.
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3. Even at “50”, Marc-André Fleury continues to dominate
Marc-André Fleury may not have been in front of the net in Pittsburgh, but he was last night in Boston.
It was his 997th NHL game, and let’s just say he had a lot of energy for this duel.
Weeeeee 🌪️ pic.twitter.com/UJMND97zEQ
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
Thanks to a Wild overtime win and a 41-save performance, the Quebecer won the 549th game of his career.
Kirill Kaprizov sealed the game.
KIRILL CALLS GAME 🗣️
The Wild secure the victory in Boston following Kaprizov’s @SUBWAYCanada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/KwYEkHfRPA
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
At intermission, Fleury’s teammate mocked him, calling him a 50-year-old.
“For him to do this at 50 is special”
Brandon Duhaime chirping Marc-Andre Fleury at intermission 🤣 pic.twitter.com/Vovbb2zAUH
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 20, 2023
Since the change of coach, the good mood seems to have returned to the Wild’s room.
The team is playing much better since the hiring of John Hynes.
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4. Flyers stop losing
The Philadelphia Flyers are surprising this year.
Many thought they’d finish bottom of the standings, but as of December 20, they’re in second place in the Metropolitan Section.
Yesterday, they stole the game again in overtime. Owen Tippett was the hero.
🟠 OT IN OT 🟠
Owen Tippett steals the puck and collects the @Energizer overtime winner for the @NHLFlyers! pic.twitter.com/CS7XzX4qg2
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
In their last nine games, John Tortorella’s team is 7-0-2.
They haven’t lost in regulation time since November 28 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
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5. Buffalo fans demand coach’s departure
The Sabres are really struggling this year, and yesterday they were washed out by the worst team in the East in terms of points per game.
9-4 Jackets victory. In the win, Kirill Marchenko scored a hat trick.
And he scored this superb goal:
Marchenko through the legs! 🦵 pic.twitter.com/4OMQ0chQti
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
In the stands, fans even called for the departure of their head coach, Don Granato.
“Fire Donny” chants ringing through KeyBank Center.
– The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) December 20, 2023
Unfortunately, the team seems to have given up on him.
After Jay Woodcroft, John Hynes, Craig Berube and DJ Smith, he could become the fourth coach to be fired in the Bettman circuit.
Extension
– Another Brady Tkachuk fight.
Brady Tkachuk vs Matt Dumba 🥊 pic.twitter.com/xo5AydDXFn
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 20, 2023
– 16 straight games with at least one point for Nathan MacKinnon.
Nathan MacKinnon extended his point streak to 16 games with an assist on this goal by Valeri Nichushkin! 🤯
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/ecHgEvW0x3
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
– Alex Ovechkin has five goals this season.
Simon Holmstrom has FIVE shorthanded goals this season. 🤯
📺: @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/FmPv8M6v1l pic.twitter.com/2ed1d2oiec
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
– Several three-point players.
– A quieter night in the NHL.