Last night, there were 14 games in the NHL. Only four teams did not play.
Here are the results and highlights:
The night finished with two teams reaching the 30-point mark heading into American Thanksgiving.#NHLStats: https://t.co/ACgDvj6Yr4 pic.twitter.com/JjfJNnf6Ef
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 23, 2023
The Oilers and Hurricanes played out such a gripping clash that I couldn’t wait until today to share the latest news with you. Here’s my summary.
1. Two-point game for Jonathan Drouin
It’s no secret that Jonathan Drouin isn’t off to the hoped-for start in Colorado.
Prior to yesterday’s game, he had just three points in 15 games. But against the Canucks, he played a good game. First, he picked up an assist on his team’s first goal.
🚂🚂 Val Nichushkin with goals in five straight games. What a feed by Mikko Rantanen. #GoAvsGo tie it up on the power play and have power-play goals in five straight games. pic.twitter.com/PpYA0fHh5R
– Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) November 23, 2023
Just over a minute later, he redirected Cale Makar’s shot into the net.
So like… #JoAvsJo? pic.twitter.com/fXAd7487dY
– Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) November 23, 2023
Colorado made short work of one of the hottest teams in the NHL, the Vancouver Canucks. The club won 5-2.
In the game, the two best defensemen in the NHL right now stood out. Makar finished with two points, while Quinn Hughes picked up an assist.
Quinn Hughes and Cale Makar(@Cmakar8) are on another level this season. 👀 pic.twitter.com/BDVj7uVQu9
– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023
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2. Zach Benson’s first goal is a beautiful one
Before last night’s games, Zach Benson still hadn’t found the back of the net. In eight games, he had collected four assists.
But the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2023 finally broke the ice. And he did it in the most beautiful way.
An incredible first goal for Zach Benson! 😱😱😱 pic.twitter.com/CafARYquMZ
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 23, 2023
One of the finest first career goals in history, no doubt.
But Buffalo still lost the match. The club lost to the Capitals in overtime.
It was Dylan Strome who sealed the game’s outcome.
DYLAN STROME SCORES OT WINNER! pic.twitter.com/aEuFOf9H3i
– HighlightHarbor (@HighlightHarbor) November 23, 2023
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3. Jonathan Quick dominates the Penguins (without glove)
Pittsburgh officials showed no mercy for Jonathan Quick’s left hand last night.
The Rangers goalie lost his glove and even tried to play without it.
Ref said fuck your hand pic.twitter.com/TWu067VtkN
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 23, 2023
Pittsburgh scored on the sequence, but the goal was disallowed.
In fact, it was the only time in the game that the American goaltender let a puck go behind him. Quick’s 32-save performance earned him his 60th career shutout.
32 saves for No. 32! 🗽
Jonathan Quick picks up the 60th @pepsi shutout of his career after stopping all 32 shots sent his way! pic.twitter.com/pofBLLdF37
– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023
Rangers won 1-0.
The former Kings goalkeeper is off to an excellent start to the season. In seven games, he has a 1.68 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage.
The Blue Jackets should never have let him go…
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4. The Bruins are in a class of their own
Before last season, in my predictions, I didn’t even have the Bruins in the top eight teams in the East. I was wrong.
In my pre-season predictions for 2023-2024, I didn’t even have the Bruins among the top eight teams in the East. So far, I’m wrong.
Boston is on fire and is the best team on the Bettman circuit, even without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Yesterday, in a hotly contested game, the Bruins beat the Panthers 3-1.
As a result, the team has a record of 14-1-3 in 2023-2024.
14-1-3
Absurd. pic.twitter.com/5qgwIfhSi6
– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023
Absurd, to say the least.
In their last 100 regular-season games, Jim Montgomery’s team has lost only 13 times in regulation time.
#NHLBruins have lost just 13 times in regulation in their last 100 regular season games dating back to last season.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 23, 2023
Crazy!
As for last night’s game, the intensity was there, as these images show:
There’s still bad blood between the Bruins and the Cats! pic.twitter.com/bLxl4HRHHT
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 23, 2023
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5. Another goal for Alexis Lafrenière
Prior to the 2023-2024 season, Alexis Lafrenière didn’t get off to the hoped-for start of his professional career.
Fortunately, the Quebecer seems to be getting more and more comfortable in the NHL. Proof that you have to be patient with first-round picks… #Slaf
Yesterday, he scored a superb goal, the Rangers’ only goal.
Alexis Lafrenière with the backhand bar down beauty. 😤 pic.twitter.com/5H4U3kpW7u
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2023
So far this season, Lafrenière has 12 points, including eight goals, in 17 games. He’s on track for a 57-point season.
For a guy who never collected more than 39 points before this year, that’s a very satisfying output. In any case, he looks comfortable under new head coach Peter Laviolette.
Extension
– Four assists for Zach Werenski.
That’s assist No. 4 on the night for @ZachWerenski! 🍎 pic.twitter.com/Tz47vuX5kA
– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023
– He’s a good kid.
Connor Bedard is inevitable. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZGqRcNVjiy
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2023
– Mathew Barzal stamped.
OOF pic.twitter.com/IehtGuirL1
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 23, 2023
– A 1,000th game for Cal Clutterbuck.
1,000 NHL Games for #15.
What an accomplishment. Congrats Clutterbuck! pic.twitter.com/7pBEJoThbR
– New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 23, 2023
– Encore?
Svechnikov tried a lacrosse style goal.
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) November 23, 2023
– That’s dog.
This Pens fan didn’t have to come for Jacob Trouba like this 🤣 pic.twitter.com/bOsCQzZims
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) November 23, 2023
– Wow.
JACOB MARKSTROM OH MY GOODNESS 😱
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/YBttOfFuCA
– NHL (@NHL) November 23, 2023
– A fight for the belt.
Tanev and Burroughs get into it in the second. 👊 pic.twitter.com/eFbvD40xAc
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 23, 2023
– What the hell is he doing?
What is going on behind the Stars bench 😂 pic.twitter.com/7TpFAcxOds
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 23, 2023
– Nicely done.
Wow. What a reaction from the linesman. That’s worthy of mention. I don’t remember ever seeing that. https://t.co/FzXrMafPxk
– Anthony Marcotte (@anthonymarcotte) November 23, 2023
– Four-point game for two Jackets players.
– Another day without an NHL game.