NHL News and Notes from Sunday, December 19th, 2021
News
- The Washington Capitals recalled forward Joe Snively from Hershey of the AHL.
- Snively is a native Herndon, VA, and was a member of the Washington Little Caps program.
- The call up is a result of forward TJ Oshie going into COVID-19 protocols.
- The NHL and NHLPA announced that they agreed to continue the 2021-22 regular season.
- Temporary shut downs of individual teams will still continue on a case by case basis.
- cross-border travel will be suspended for the upcoming week and all games featuring a Canadian team facing a US team will be postponed and rescheduled.
- Regarding Olympic participation, both the League and the PA are still have discussions with a final decision expecting in the coming days.
- The NHL also announced that the Detroit Red Wings have been shut down through the Holiday break.
- The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that they have suspended forward Brett Connolly of the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Connolly was suspended for 4 games for interference against Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero on Saturday night.
- Per the CBA and based on his average annual salary, Connolly will forfeit $70,000 in salary.
- The NHL announced that the Toronto Maple Leafs have paused team activities through the scheduled completion of the Holiday break.
Game Recaps
- Vegas Golden Knights v. New York Islanders – 2p ET
- In Long Island Robin Lehner would make his return with the Vegas Golden Knights as he would take on his former team the New York Islanders, and in the first period both teams would trade goals as Jonathan Marchessault would strike for the Knights, and Brock Nelson would score for the Isles. Then after a scoreless second period Shea Theodore would net a pair of goals for the Knights and Kieffer Bellows and Jean Gabriel Pageau would score for the Isles as this game would go to overtime timed at three. After a scoreless five minutes of extra hockey it would be Nicolas Roy in the shootout to give the Golden Knights the 4-3 victory over the Islanders.
- St. Louis Blues v. Winnipeg Jets – 3p ET
- In Winnipeg for the last game between a Canadian and US team before the NHL goes into the Holiday break due to COVID-19, the Jets would host the St. Louis Blues. After a scoreless first period Vladimir Tarasenko would score for the Blues, but goals from Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele would score to give the Jets the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period Niko Mikkola would score shorthanded for the Blues, but a pair of goals from Paul Stastny would give the Jets the 4-2 victory over the Blues.
- Boston Bruins v. Ottawa Senators – 5p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Nashville Predators v. Carolina Hurricanes – 5p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Pittsburgh Penguins v. New Jersey Devils – 7p ET
- In New Jersey the Devils would play host to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and in the first period Teddy Blueger would score for the Pens to take the 1-0 lead. In the second period Danton Heinen would score to grow the Pens lead to two, but Janne Kuokkanen would score to bring the Devils back within one. Then in the third period Mike Matheson would score to retake the two goal lead for the Pens, but Nathan Bastian would score on the powerplay to keep the Devils in the game and down by one. However, the Penguins would on for the 3-2 victory over the Devils.
- Scott’s TXHT Recap – Devils Lose Sixth in a Row
- Los Angeles Kings v. Washington Capitals – 7p ET
- In Washington Capitals would host the Los Angeles Kings, and in the first period it would be the kids getting the Caps on the board first as Connor McMichael would score to give them the 1-0 lead. In the second period the Capitals would get several powerplay opportunities, but they would not capitalize on any of them. Justin Schultz would score a four minute powerplay would end to give the Caps the two goal lead, but late in the period while on another Caps powerplay it would be Blake Lizotte striking shorthanded for the Kings to cut the Caps lead back to one. then in the third period it would be a hot start for the Kings as Christian Wolanin would score his first of the season to tie the game at two, and then Adrian Kempe would score a very fluky goal to take the 3-2 victory over the Capitals.
- Toronto Maple Leafs v. Seattle Kraken – 9p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- Arizona Coyotes v. Vancouver Canucks – 10p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19
- CLB v. BUF – 7p ET
- MON v. NYI – Postponed
- COL v. DET – Postponed
- MIN v. DAL – 830p ET
- ANA v. EDM – Postponed
Noteworthy in Hockey
- 32 Thoughts: NHL has discussed full COVID-19 shutdown but nothing is guaranteed (HNIC)
- Aryan recaps the month of December so far for the St. Louis Blues (TXHT)
- Dickson recaps the past week for the Montreal Canadiens (TXHT)
- Michael recaps the past week for the Washington Capitals (TXHT)
- Scott recaps the past week for the Seattle Kraken (TXHT)
