NHL News and Notes from Thursday, April 20th, 2023
News
- In the PHF the Connecticut Whale would sign the first player in 2023 PHF Free Agency.
- The Whale would sign defender Kacey Bellamy.
- Bellamy would sign a one year deal with a salary of $122,000 with a $7,000 signing bonus.
- Bellamy is a US Olympic Gold Medalist, an 8 time IIHF Champion, and an Isobel Cup Champion (2016 – BOS).
- Bellamy Joins forwards Taylor Girard, Kennedy Marchment, Melissa Samoskevich, and fellow defenders Tori Howran and Allie Munroe who are all entering the second season of their two-year deals.
Game Recaps
- Tampa Bay Lightning v. Toronto Maple Leafs – 7p ET – Game 2
- In Toronto, the Maple Leafs look to even their series against the Lightning and in the first Toronto gets three when Mitchell Marner and John Tavares each net their first, and William Nylander scores his second. In the second, Tampa Bay gets on the board when Ian Cole scores his first of the postseason but then the Leafs respond when Tavares scores his second of the game, Zach Aston-Reese scores his first and Marner nets his second of the game. In the third, Corey Perry scores his second to cut the Toronto lead to four but John Tavares gets the hat trick as the Maple Leafs steamroll the Lightning 7-2 and even the series 1-1.
- New York Rangers v. New Jersey Devils – 730p ET – Game 2
- In Newark, the Devils host the Rangers and look to even the series and in the first Erik Haula nets his first to put New Jersey up 1-0. In the second, New York gets three when Vladimir Tarasenko nets his second to even the score and then Chris Kreider scores a pair to put the Blueshirts up two. In the third, Patrick Kane scores his first and then New York closes the game when Kaapo Kakko scores his first as the Rangers breeze by the Devils for the 5-1 win and take the 2-0 series lead.
- Seattle Kraken v. Colorado Avalanche – 930p ET – Game 2
- In Denver, the Kraken look to go up 2-0 in their series against the Avalanche and in the first Justin Schultz and Brandon Tanev each gets their first to put Seattle up 2-0. In the second, Colorado ties the game when Artturi Lehkonen and Valeri Nichushkin each gets their first. In the third, Devon Toews nets his first as the Avalanche score three unanswered goals and even their series with the Kraken with the 3-2 win.
- Winnipeg Jets v. Vegas Golden Knights – 10p ET – Game 2
- In The Fortress, the Golden Knights look to even the series against the Jets an in the first, Winnipeg takes the 1-0 lead with Adam Lowry’s third. In the second, Willaim Karlsson’s second ties the game and then Jack Eichel gets his first to give Vegas the lead. Then, Kevin Stenlund scores his first to even the score for the Jets. In the third, Chandler Stephenson scores his first to put Vegas back up for good and then Mark Stone nets a pair as the Golden Knights tie the series with the Jets with a 5-2 win.
Today’s Games
- CAR v. NYI – 7p ET – Game 3
- BOS v. FLA – 730p ET – Game 3
- DAL v. MIN – 930p ET – Game 3
- EDM v. LA – 10p ET – Game 3
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Maple Leafs need Ilya Samsonov to prove he’s playoff worthy, quickly (The Athletic – $)
- After 17 years and 6 head coaches with Capitals, assistant Blaine Forsythe moves on (The Athletic – $)
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