NHL News and Notes from Saturday, December 18th, 2021
News
- The NHL and NHLPA announced new enhanced COVID-19 measures.
- The new measures will remain in effect the Holiday season and the New Year.
- The enhanced measures will be evaluated no later than Jan. 7th, 2022.
- The enhanced measures have gone into effect immediately.
- The NHL also announced that they have shut down the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators through the Holiday Break.
- The League also announced that the game between Toronto and Vancouver for Saturday has been postponed.
- Also Sunday matchups between Toronto and Seattle, and Arizona and Vancouver have been postponed as well.
Game Recaps
- Florida Panthers v. Minnesota Wild – 2p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Toronto Maple Leafs v. Vancouver Canucks – 7p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Boston Bruins v. Montreal Canadiens – 7p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Ottawa Senators v. Philadelphia Flyers – 7p ET
- In Philadelphia, the Senators faceoff against the Flyers. In the first period, Philadelphia makes it a 1-0 lead when Claude Giroux scores his 11th on the year and then it becomes a 2-0 Flyers lead when Oskar Lindblom scores his third of the year. In the second, Ottawa trims the lead in half when Tim Stützle scores his fifth of the year and then it becomes a tie contest after Alex Forementon scores a shorthanded goal, his sixth goal of the year. In the third, Artem Zub nets his second of the year to give the Sens the 3-2 lead. The Flyers respond to tie the contest 3-3 when Joel Farabee nets his eighth of the year. In overtime, Travis Sanheim nets the game winner as the Flyers get the 4-3 win over the Senators.
- Los Angeles Kings v. Carolina Hurricanes – 7p ET
- In Raleigh, the Hurricanes look to bring a storm surge to the Kings. In the first period, the Canes jump out to the early 1-0 lead just 37 seconds into the frame when Jesperi Kotkaniemi nets his seventh of the year. Carolina jumps out to the two goal lead when Jesper fast nets his seventh of the year. In the second period, Brett Pesce strikes for his second on the year to give the Canes the 3-0 lead and then Teuvo Teravainen finds the back of the net with his seventh of the year as Carolina has the commanding 4-0 lead. Los Angeles gets on the board when Blake Lizotte nets his second of the year, cutting the Hurricanes lead to three. In the third, Carolina seals the win with Jack Drury’s second of the year as the Canes breeze by the Kings with the 5-1 win.
- Chicago Blackhawks v. Dallas Stars – 8p ET
- In Dallas, the Blackhawks face their rivals in the Stars. In the first, Dallas gets a pair of goals from Joe Pavleski, his 10th and 11th on the year, to give the Stars the 2-0 lead. In the second, Alex DeBrincat cuts Dallas’ lead in half with his 17th of the year but Dallas re-talkes the two goal lead with Jason Robertson’s 10th of the year. Chicago comes within a goal once more when Dylan Strome finds the net for his third of the year. In the third, Dominik Kubalik nets his sixth of the year for the ‘Hawks to tie the game 3-3. In the overtime session, John Klingberg goes on to score the game winner, his first of the year, to give Dallas the 4-3 win over Chicago.
- New Jersey Devils v. Detroit Red Wings – 8p ET
- In the Motor City, New Jersey rides into Detroit to try and end their losing streak. In the first period, Dylan Larkin nets his 13th to give the Red Wings the 1-0 lead and then New Jersey responds when Michael McLeod strikes for his second to tie the game 1-1. In the second, Dylan Larkin gets his second of the night to make it a 2-1 Red Wings lead and then it becomes a two goal advantage when Tyler Bertuzzi gets his 11th of the year. Larkin then secures the hat trick as the Red Wings make it a 4-1 lead. Dawson Mercer then cuts the Red Wings lead in half with a shorthanded goal, his eight goal on the year. In the third, Bertuzzi gets his second of the night as the Red Wings breeze by the Devils with the 5-2 win.
- Scott’s TXHT Recap – Larkin Hat Trick Extends Devils Losing Streak to 5
- Tampa Bay Lightning v. Colorado Avalanche – 9p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Edmonton Oilers v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
- In the Emerald City, the Kraken look to win the season series over the Oilers. In the first period, Ryan Donato scores his eighth of the year to give Seattle the 1-0 lead and then Jared McCann nets his 12th as the Kraken take the 2-0 lead. Edmonton then cuts the lead in half once Evan Bouchard scores his fifth of the year and then Warren Foegele ties the game with a power play goal, his fourth of the year. In the second, Edmonton takes the 3-2 lead with Colton Sceviour’s second of the year and then Seattle responds when Carson Soucy nets his fourth of the year. In the third, Foegele nets his second of the year as the Oilers get the 4-3 advantage. Edmonton seals the game with Connor McDavid’s 17th of the year as the Oilers win 5-3 over Seattle.
- Columbus Blue Jackets v. Calgary Flames – 10p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- VGK v. NYI – 2p ET
- STL v. WIN – 3p ET
- BOS v. OTT – Postponed
- NAS v. CAR – Postponed
- PIT v. NJ – 7p ET
- LA v. WAS – 7p ET
- TOR v. SEA – Postponed
- ARI v. VAN – Postponed
Noteworthy in Hockey
- NHL’s COVID protocols should live up to current environment (New York Post)
The Xperience Hockey Talk 