NHL News and Notes from Sunday, February 20th, 2022
News
- The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that they have fined Edmonton Oilers defenseman Markus Niemelainen.
- Niemelainen was fined $2,043.75 for cross checking Winnipeg Jets forward Kristian Vesalainen on Saturday night in Winnipeg.
- The fine is the maximum allowed under the CBA.
Game Recaps

- Carolina Hurricanes v. Pittsburgh Penguins – 1p ET
- In Pittsburgh the Carolina Hurricanes would come to town to storm on Sidney Crosby’s day as the Penguins celebrated his 500th career NHL goal, and in the first period Jesperi Kotkaniemi would score to give the Canes the 1-0 lead. In the second period Jordan Staal would score for the Canes, but goals from Bryan Rust and Crosby would tie the game at two. Then in the third period Evan Rodrigues would strike for the Pens, but goals from Jesper Fast and Sebastian Aho would give the Hurricanes the 4-3 victory over the Penguins.

- Montreal Canadiens v. New York Islanders – 2p ET
- On Long Island the New York Islanders would host the Montreal Canadiens, and in the first period Jeff Petry would score to give the Habs the 1-0 lead. In the second period Kyle Palmieri would score for the Isles, but Josh Anderson’s goal would keep the Habs ahead by one. Then in the third period Brock Nelson would score to tie the game at two to send the game to overtime for the Isles. After a scoreless five minutes of extra hockey it would be Rem Pitlick with the shootout winner to give the Canadiens the 3-2 victory over the Islanders.

- Florida Panthers v. Chicago Blackhawks – 3p ET
- In Chicago the Blackhawks would play host to the Florida Panthers, and in the first period both teams would trade goals as Aaron Ekblad would score for the Panthers and Patrick Kane for the Blackhawks for the 1-1 tie. In the second period Brandon Montour would score to give the Panthers the 2-1 lead. Then in the third period Caleb Jones would score for the Blackhawks, but goals from MacKenzie Weegar, Aleksander Barkov, and Anton Lundell would give the Panthers the 5-2 victory over the Blackhawks.

- New York Rangers v. Ottawa Senators – 5p ET
- In Ottawa the Senators would host the New York Rangers, and in the first period Tim Stutzle would strike for the Sens, but Ryan Strome would score to tie the game at one for the Rangers. Then in the second period Artemi Panarin would score to give the Rangers the 2-1 victory over the Senators.

- Buffalo Sabres v. Columbus Blue Jackets – 6p ET
- In Columbus the Blue Jackets would take on the Buffalo Sabres, and in the first period Mark Pysyk and Tage Thompson would score for the Sabres while Dean Kuken and Boone Jenner would score for the Jackets for the 2-2 tie. In the second period Kyle Okposo would score for the Sabres, but goals from Kuken, Zach Werenski, and Brendan Gaunce would give the Jackets the 5-3 lead. Then in the third period Gustav Nyquist and Justin Danforth would score to give the Blue Jackets the 7-3 victory over the Sabres.

- Dallas Stars v. Arizona Coyotes – 7p ET
- In Arizona the Coyotes would host the Dallas Stars, and after a scoreless first period Lawson Crouse would strike first for the Yotes, but Roope Hintz would strike for the Stars to tie the game at one. However, Nick Schmaltz would score for the Coyotes to take the one goal lead back. Then in the third period Clayton Keller would score to give the Coyotes the 3-1 victory over the Stars.

- Vegas Golden Knights v. San Jose – 8p ET
- In San Jose the Vegas Golden Knights would come to town to face the Sharks, and in the first period Keegan Kolesar would score for the Knights and Jack Eichel would score his first goal as a Knight to take the 2-0 lead. In the second period Max Pacioretty would score to grow the Knights lead to three. Then in the third period Nick Bonino would score for the Sharks, but Chandler Stephenson would score for the Golden Knights to take the 4-1 victory over the Sharks.

- Minnesota Wild v. Edmonton Oilers – 8p ET
- In Edmonton the Oilers would play host to the Minnesota Wild, and in the first period Brandon Duhaime and Joel Eriksson Ek would socre, and Kevin Fiala would score a pair of goals to give the Wild the 4-0 lead. Evander Kane would score late in the period to get the Oilers on the board. In the second period Connor Dewar and Matt Boldy would score to grow the Wild’s lead to five, but Tyler Benson would score to get the Oilers back within four. Then in the third period Zach Hyman would score for the Oilers, but Mats Zuccarello would score as the Wild would go on to defeat the Oilers 7-3.
Today’s Games
- COL v. BOS – 1p ET
- CAR v. PHI – 3p ET
- WIN v. CAL – 4p ET
- TOR v. MON – 7p ET
- SEA v. VAN – 10p ET