Category: Hockey History 1917-2023

Pittsburgh versus Minnesota (Crosby, Malkin vs Fleury)

Penguins 3 – Wild 1 (en) St. Paul, Minn. Literally, goaltending is the last word on scoring, and last night two goaltenders provided an entertaining game as well as being able to watch three powerful HOF players perform superbly in the twilight of their NHL careers.

Minnesota Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury is a three-time Stanley Cup Champion who also won the Jennings and Vezina Trophies in one season, and for the last time faced his former Cup teammates who both scored on him last night.

Then there was the unknown factor of goaltender Tristan Jarry back up from the AHL and was the main reason the Wild could only score once during the game, and it was a 4 on 1 odd-man rush aided by a blatant non-call that spoiled Goaltender Jarry’s shutout bid.

It is also worth noting that Goaltender Jarry collected an assist on Center Crosby’s empty net goal giving him 11 total assists in his NHL (AHL 8A) career.

Additionally, I appreciate how the Minnesota Wild have created a uniform kit that resembles the color scheme of the Minnesota North Stars, with the state of Minnesota Captain and Alternate patches, although the original North Stars franchise relocated to Texas, this is still a cool nod to Minnesota’s hockey history.

No Blockbusters

Here along the Lake Yesterday Defenseman Jokiharju departed Buffalo after five years for a fourth-round draft selection in next year’s NHL Entry Draft from Boston. The Finnish, six foot, 200 lbs., stay at home defenseman should play more minutes for the Bruins than he was getting with the Sabres.

Additionally, the “Workhorse from Whitehorse” Center Dylan Cozens and Buffalo, NY born Defenseman Dennis Gilbert who played just 25 games for the Sabres are bound for Ottawa. In exchange Buffalo received Center Josh Norris and Defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker who recently came off IR and has not played since December 28th.

The Rangers took the ineffective and seldom played RW Aube-Kubel off Buffalo’s roster for diminutive 5′ 10 “, 185 lbs. Defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

Not making a trade for an outstanding goaltender or another stud winger is not always the wrong move if for example a coaching change is imminent, patience is not just waiting for the team to get better, but how we play while getting better.

Winnipeg the #1 team in the NHL

Jets 6 – Devils 1 Home cooking did nothing to help New Jersey as they could not capitalize on their offensive chances while playing the puck in front of their own net instead of putting a body on the attacking player.

LAST NIGHT’S ADDITIONAL GAMES:

Capitals 5 – Red Wings 2

Blackhawks 4 – Hockey Club 3

Canucks 3 – Wild 1

Knights 4 – Penguins 0

Blues 4 – Ducks 3

Five Goals, two-goal lead, still lost

Lightning 6 – Sabres 5 I could point out the imbalanced officiating of a melee of players roughing it up that singled out Buffalo’s Captain while ignoring simultaneous infractions that were occurring, but there would be nothing to gain from that.

Of course you cannot blame a head coach for a porous goaltender, but this is not the first time this season where the Sabres scored five times had a lead and lost the game, something has to give.

The year was 2011, Buffalo’s last playoff appearance, seven head coaches later were back to Lindy who Buffalo dismissed after a dismal start to the 2012-13 shortened NHL season, and now after New Jersey fired him before the end of last season curiously the Sabres brain trust thought he could be this team’s answer.

As my Grandmother would lament during stressful times, “this too will pass”, is going to have to be this season’s rallying cry as the Sabres skate headlong into their 14th season without acquiring a playoff seeding.

46 Second Overtime Quick & Painful

Senators 4 – Blackhawks 3 (OT) Chicago scores twice on 5 SOG during the first period to take the lead twice before leaving the period tied at two apiece, then Ottawa scored in the second period for the 3-2 lead after two periods of play.

Blackhawks fourth liners score in the first two minutes of the third period to tie the game at three and Chicago forces overtime where “crash the net”, “not his fault”, game winning goal by the Senators just seconds into the overtime frame concludes the contest.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT’S RESULTS

Capitals 3 – Rangers 2 (OT)

Knights 5 – Maple Leafs 2

Canucks 3 – Ducks 2

Blues 3 – Kings 2 (SO)