NHL News and Notes from Thursday, December 9th, 2021
News
- EA Sports announced that they have partnered with the IIHF to bring International teams to NHL 22.
- This will include the addition of the Women’s National teams for the first time in the gaming franchise’s history.
- The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks would make a trade.
- The Blackhawks would acquire forward Kurtis Gabriel.
- The Leafs would acquire defenseman Chad Krys.
- The Vancouver Canucks have announced that they have hired Jim Rutherford as President of Hockey Operations.
- Rutherford would take over as interim General Manager until a new one is hired.
- Rutherford is looking for a GM candidate that can be mentored by him.
- The NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the sale of the Pittsburgh Penguins to Fenway Sports Group.
- Fenway Sports Group will now own a majority interest in the Penguins.
- The Board of Governors was also updated on the League’s continuing efforts to ensure that hockey is safe, inclusive, and respectful.
- Also to ensure that all Clubs, and the League provide welcoming workspaces for all.
- The effort is being lead by NHL Senior EVP of Social Impact, Growth Initiatives and Legislative Affairs with the assistance of Sheldon Kennedy and the Respect Group.
Game Recaps
- Tampa Bay Lightning v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET
- In Toronto the Maple Leafs would play host to the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in the first period Ondrej Kase would strike first for the Leafs to take the 1-0 lead. However, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare and Steven Stamkos would score to give the Bolts the 2-1 lead, but with seconds left in the first period William Nylander would strike on the powerplay to tie the game at two. In the second period Ondrej Palat and Taylor Raddysh would score to give the Bolts the 4-2 lead. Then in the third period Kase would net his second of the game for the Leafs, but Palat’s second of the game would give the Lightning the 5-3 victory.
- Chicago Blackhawks v. Montreal Canadiens – 7p ET
- In Montreal we would have an Original Six matchup as the Canadiens would play host to the Chicago Blackhawks, and after a scoreless first period Jonathan Toews would score his first of the season to give the Blackhawks the 1-0 lead. Then in the htird period Henrik Borgstrom would score to give the Blackhawks the 2- victory over the Canadiens.
- Anaheim Ducks v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 7p ET
- In Columbus the Blue Jackets would host the Anaheim Ducks, and in the first period Alexandre Texier would open the scoring for the Jackets, but minutes later Isac Lundestrom would score to tie the game at one. Then after 45 minutes of scoreless hockey this game would go to the shootout which would see Rikard Rakell score to give the Ducks the 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets.
- Nashville Predators v. New York Islanders – 730p ET
- On Long Island the Nashville Predators would come to town to take on the New York Islanders, and in the first period Austin Czarnik would strike first for the Isles to take the 1-0 lead, but goals from Ryan Johansen and Colton Sissions would give the Preds the 2-1 lead. In the second period Anders Lee would strike on the powerplay to tie the game at two. Then in the third period Noah Dobson would score to give the Islanders the 3-2 lead, but Yakov Trenin and Eeli Tolvanen would strike to give the Predators the 4-3 victory over the Islanders.
- Detroit Red Wings v. St. Louis Blues – 8p ET
- In St. Louis the Blues would host the Detroit Red Wings, and in the first period Nathan Walker would net a pair of goals to give the Blues the 2-0 lead. In the second period Robby Fabbri would score to get the Wings on the board, but a tally from Colton Parayko would give the Blues their two goal lead back. Then in the third period Walker would complete the hat trick and Ivan Barbashev would score to give the Blues the 5-1 lead, but Fabbri would net his second of the game to get the Wings back within three. However, Marco Scandella would score to give the Blues the 6-2 victory over the Red Wings.
- Carolina Hurricanes v. Calgary Flames – 9p ET
- In Calgary the Flames would play host to the Carolina Hurricanes, and in the first period Sebastian Aho would score to give the Canes the 1-0 lead. In the second period Noah Hanifin would score to tie the game at one for the Flames. In the second, Noah Hanifin strikes for his second to make it a tie game. After a scoreless third, Sebastian Aho nets his 13th of the year to give the Canes the 2-1 win over the Flames.
- Boston Bruins v. Edmonton Oilers – 9p ET
- In Edmonton the Oilers would host the Boston Bruins, and in the first period Brad Marchand would strike shorthanded to give the Bruins the 1-0 lead. In the second period Jake DeBrusk would score to grow the B’s lead to two, but Leon Draisaitl would score to bring the Oilers back within one. In the third, Draisaitl would net his second of the night to tie the game at 2-2. Boston would re-take the lead when Matt Grzelcyk would net his first of the year to give the Bruins the 3-2 win over the Oilers.
- Winnipeg Jets v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
- In the Emerald City, the Kraken look to release some energy to the Jets. In the first period, the Jets get on the board when Dominic Toninato scores his third of the year. After a scoreless second, Winnipeg makes it a 2-0 lead when Kyle Connor strikes early in the third for his 16th of the year. Connor will then net his second of the night as the Jets get the 3-0 shutout win over the Kraken.
- Dallas Stars v. Los Angeles Kings – 1030p ET
- In the City of Angels, the Kings look for a win in the Stars. After a scoreless first period, Adrian Kempe nets his 11th of the year to get the Kings on the board. In the third, Arthur Kaliyev nets his fifth of the year followed by Victor Arvidsson scoring his fifth to make it a 3-0 Los Angeles lead. The Kings then seal the shutout victory when Andreas Athanasiou strikes for his third of the year as Los Angeles breezes by Dallas 4-0.
- Minnesota Wild v. San Jose Sharks – 1030p ET
- In San Jose, the Sharks look to make things a little Wild. In the first, Minnesota gets on the board first when Kevin Fiala nets his fourth of the year. As the contest shifts to the second, Joel Eriksson Ek scores his 11th of the year followed by Jordan Greenway scoring his third to make it a 3-0 Wild game. In the third, San Jose will get on the board when Jonathan Dahlen scores his eighth followed by Tomas Hertl netting his 13th to bring the Sharks within a goal. Jordan Greenway will then score his second of the night to make it a 4-2 Wild lead followed by Minnesota sealing the win when Kirill Kaprizov striking for his 10th of the year as Minnesota breezes by San Jose for the 5-2 win.
- NYR v. BUF – 7p ET
- PIT v. WAS – 7p ET
- NAS v. NJ – 730p ET
- DET v. COL – 9p ET
- FLA v. ARI – 9p ET
- WIN v. VAN – 10p ET
- PHI v. VGK – 10p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Many topics on table as NHL BOG meets face-to-face for first time since 2019 (SportsNet)
- Dysfunction in the desert: Finger-pointing, fear and financial woes roil the Coyotes organization (The Athletic – $)
- Women’s hockey is finally coming to EA Sports’ NHL franchise (The Ice Garden)
- Insider Trading: NHL EVP Davis introduces ‘Respect Hockey’ summit (TSN)
- Insider Trading: Rutherford to begin process of hiring GM in Vancouver; What’s next for the Coyotes? (TSN)
