NHL News and Notes from Wednesday, December 29th, 2021
News
- The NHL and NHLPA announced that they have agreed to modify COVID Protocol.
- The modification is to the isolation period after a positive test for fully vaccinated players.
- The isolation period will go from 10 days to 5 days for not only players, but for Hockey Ops including coaches who meet the required conditions.
- This was agreed upon after the CDC issued their new isolation guidelines on Monday.
- Teams will still have to comply with local and Federal/Provincial mandates.
Game Recaps

- New Jersey Devils v. Buffalo Sabres – 7p ET
- In Buffalo the Sabres would play host to the New Jersey Devils, and in the firs period the Devils would get goals from Dougie Hamilton and Jesper Bratt to take the 2-0 lead. In the second period Tage Thompson would net a pair of goals to tie the game at two for the Sabres. Then in the third period Ethan Prow would score for the Sabres, but goals from Jack Hughes and Yegor Sharangovich would give the Devils the 4-3 victory over the Sabres.
- Scott’s TXHT Recap – Devils Finally End Losing Streak

- New York Rangers v. Florida Panthers – 7p ET
- In Florida the Panthers would host the New York Rangers, and in the first period Artemi Panarin would score to give the Rangers the 1-0 lead. In the second period Anton Lundell would strike for the Panthers, but Mika Zibanejad would score to keep the Rangers ahead by one. Then in the third period Chris Kreider would score for the Rangers, but goals from Marcus Weegar, Carter Verhaeghe, and Anthony Duclair would give the Panthers the 4-3 victory over the Rangers.

- Nashville Predators v. Washington Capitals – 7p ET
- In Washington for their final home game of 2021 the Capitals would host the Nashville Predators, and in the first period the Caps would come out on fire as Lars Eller, John Carlson, and Nic Dowd would score for the 3-0 lead. In the second period the Preds would pounce as Yakov Trenin, Luke Kunin, and Filip Forsberg would score to tie the game at three. Then in the third period Evgeny Kuznetsov would strike shorthanded and Carl Hagelin would get the empty netter to to give the Capitals the 5-3 victory over the Predators.


- Chicago Blackhawks v. Winnipeg Jets – 730p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19

- Pittsburgh Penguins v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 730p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19

- Boston Bruins v. Ottawa Senators – 730p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19

- Detroit Red Wings v. New York Islanders – 730p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19

- Edmonton Oilers v. St. Louis Blues – 830p ET
- In St. Louis the Blues would host the Edmonton Oilers, and in the first period Leon Draisaitl would score for the Oilers, but goals from Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou to give the Blues the 2-1 lead. In the second period Evan Bouchard would score for the Oilers, but Vladimir Tarasenko would score to keep the Blues ahead by one. Then in the third period Brandon Saad would score to give the Blues the 4-2 victory over the Oilers.

- Philadelphia Flyers v. Seattle Kraken – 10p ET
- In the Emerald City, the Flyers make their lone visit on the season to Seattle. In the first, James van Riemsdyk scores his sixth on the year, on a power play, to make it a 1-0 lead. Seattle ties it up when Yanni Gourde nets his seventh of the year on the power play. Seattle then takes the lead in the third when Jeremy Lauzon scores his first as a member of the Kraken and the van Riemsdyk gets his second of the night to tie the game. In the overtime session, Ivan Provorov gets his third of the year as the Flyers down the Kraken 3-2.

- Dallas Stars v. Colorado Avalanche – 10p ET
- Postponed due to COVID-19

- Vancouver Canucks v. Anaheim Ducks – 10:30p ET
- In Anaheim, the Canucks face off against the Ducks. In the first, Anaheim makes it a 1-0 lead when Sam Carrick scores his seventh of the year. In the third, Vancouver ties it up after Tanner Pearson gets his fifth of the year. In the overtime session, J.T. Miller scores his 11th of the year just 26 seconds in to give the Canucks the 2-1 win over the Ducks.

- TB v. FLA- 7p ET
- MON v. CAR – 7p ET
- NAS v. CLB = 7p ET
- BUF v. NYI – 730p ET
- CAL v. SEA – 10p ET
- VAN v. LA – 1030p ET
- PHI v. SJ – 1030p ET
Noteworthy in Hockey
- The Canadiens demonstrate what hockey can look like when you play like you care (The Athletic – $)
- NHL players vent frustration over being barred from Olympics (AP)