NHL NEWS MARCH 8, 2023 – CROSBY CAPS PENGUINS’ FOUR-GOAL COMEBACK WITH 20TH CAREER OT WINNER

The Penguins found themselves trailing 4-0 but netted four unanswered goals – including three in the third period – to force extra time where Sidney Crosby (1-2—3) scored his 20th career overtime goal to complete the comeback. Pittsburgh (32-22-9, 73 points) kept pace with New York (33-25-8, 74 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference while having three games in hand.

• The Penguins became the third team this season to earn a four-goal come-from-behind victory and also recorded the NHL’s 49th multi-goal, third-period comeback win of 2022-23, which matched the highest single-season total in League history (49 in 2009-10).
• Crosby notched his 169th career three-point game and tied Paul Coffey for the eighth most in NHL history. He now sits three contests shy of Steve Yzerman (172 GP) for seventh place.

MAKAR MAKES IT A FOUR-POINT NIGHT, HITS 50 POINTS

Cale Makar and Valeri Nichushkin posted matching 1-3—4 outings, while Alexandar Georgiev made 13 saves in a shutout performance as the Avalanche (35-21-6, 76 points) jumped the idle Jets (36-25-3, 75 points) to move from the second Wild Card spot to third in the Central Division.

• Makar recorded his 58th career multi-point game to surpass Tyson Barrie for sole possession of the second most among defensemen in franchise history. The only blueliner with more: Sandis Ozolinsh (63). It also marked his third career four-point performance, which tied Barrie for the second most such outings by an Avalanche/Nordiques blueliner, trailing only Ozolinsh (4).
• Makar (14-34—50 in 49 GP) reached the 50-point mark for the third time in his career and for the second straight season after doing so in 45 contests in 2021-22.
• Georgiev, who is tied for the third-most shutouts by a goaltender this season, recorded his fourth shutout as a member of the Avalanche and became the fourth netminder in franchise history to record as many in their first season with the club, joining Craig Anderson (7 in 2009-10), Darcy Kuemper (5 in 2021-22) and Semyon Varlamov (4 in 2011-12).

THREE OF EASTERN CONFERENCE’S TOP CLUBS KEEP PACE TUESDAY

The Hurricanes (42-12-8, 92 points) bolstered their lead atop the Metropolitan Division standings with a win Tuesday, while the Atlantic Division’s second-place Maple Leafs (39-17-8, 86 points) and third-place Lightning (38-21-5, 81 points) both picked up victories to keep pace.

• Two goals from defensemen and a tying tally in the final five minutes of regulation by Jesper Fast helped Carolina earn its 20th road win of 2022-23 – the Hurricanes required the fewest games in franchise history to record both 20 road and 20 home wins in a season (62 GP), surpassing their previous best achieved last season (66 GP).
• After giving up a 1-0 and 2-1 lead, Toronto rallied in the third period with Auston Matthews potting his fifth career go-ahead tally in the final five minutes of a contest – tied for the second most among all players since he entered the NHL in 2016-17, behind only David Pastrnak (7). It also marked Matthews’ 51st career game-winning goal, moving him past Ron Ellis (50) for sole possession of fourth place on the Maple Leafs’ all-time list.
• Nikita Kucherov (2-1—3) factored on three of five Lightning goals to extend his home point streak to 22 games, boost his 2022-23 totals to 25-66—91 (64 GP) and register his third career 90-point season (2017-18: 39-61—100 & 2018-19: 41-87—128). Kucherov sits third in the NHL’s Art Ross Trophy race in 2022-23 but only sits four assists shy of Connor McDavid (70 in 65 GP) for the most among all players.

JONES EYES FOURTH STRAIGHT GAME WITH A GOAL DURING TNT BROADCAST

An Original Six showdown headlines the first of two games on TNT when Seth Jones and the Blackhawks (22-36-5, 49 points) take on the Detroit Red Wings (28-26-9, 65 points). While Detroit sits eight points back of Pittsburgh (32-22-9, 73 points) for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, Jones can become the fifth defenseman in franchise history with a four-game goal streak.

NOT ONE PATH: THATCHER DEMKO

Thatcher Demko is the most recent feature in the Not One Path series ahead of the Canucks welcoming the Ducks to Rogers Arena on Wednesday during a national broadcast on TNT and TVA Sports. While the state of California historically isn’t known for producing hockey players, Demko is among a few who are rewriting that narrative.

Flyers’ DeAngelo Suspended Two Games for Spearing

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo has been suspended for two games, without pay, for spearing Tampa Bay Lightning forward Corey Perry during NHL Game No. 1014 in Tampa on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The incident occurred at 17:20 of the third period. DeAngelo was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for spearing. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, DeAngelo will forfeit $54,054.06. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video details a full explanation of the decision.

Wild’s Hartman Fined for Slashing

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been fined $4,594.59, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for slashing Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson during NHL Game No. 1018 in Minnesota on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The incident occurred at 12:47 of the first period. Hartman was assessed a minor penalty for slashing. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Sharks’ Coach Quinn Fined $25,000

San Jose Sharks’ coach David Quinn has been fined $25,000 for conduct demeaning the officials that resulted in a game misconduct during NHL Game No. 993 on Saturday, Mar. 4, 2023. The fine money goes to the NHL Foundation.