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Patrick Kane Detroit Red Wings- In Play! magazine
The Detroit Red Wings collected a victory Friday after surrendering a four-goal lead to Philadelphia. Photo: Glenn Gervais - In Play! magazine
23
Dec

NHL Recap December 22, 2023 – FOUR TEAMS SKATE INTO THE WIN COLUMN FRIDAY

The Jets (20-9-3, 43 points), Detroit Red Wings (16-13-4, 36 points), Canadiens (15-13-5, 35 points) and Oilers (15-15-1, 31 points) all skated into the win column Friday in the second-last day before a three-day holiday break, with three of those victories coming in come-from-behind fashion.

  • Gabriel Vilardi scored the game-winning goal and collected an assist as Winnipeg moved into first place in the Central Division and extended its point streak to five contests (4-0-1 dating to Dec. 13). Vilardi (6-6—12 in 5 GP) became the first Jets player with 12 points over a five-game span since Kyle Connor from March 13-22, 2022 (3-10—13 in 5 GP).
  • The Flyers scored five consecutive goals to erase a 5-1 deficit, but Dylan Larkin (1-1—2) pulled the Red Wings even with 4:30 remaining in regulation and Patrick Kane (2-1—3) potted the shootout winner as Detroit quelled Philadelphia’s comeback attempt. The Red Wings earned a victory after surrendering a four-goal lead for the third time in franchise history (also March 30, 2010 & March 10, 1968).
  • Montreal skated to its fourth multi-goal comeback win of the season, thanks to Juraj Slafkovsky (1-1—2) who scored the first game-winning goal of his NHL career and helped the Canadiens extend their point streak to five contests (3-0-2 dating to Dec. 13). Montreal is now within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
  • After entering the final frame down 1-0, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Warren Foegele and Ryan McLeod scored four straight goals for the Oilers to help Edmonton head into its holiday break after posting third-period comeback wins on consecutive days. It marked the third time in franchise history the club has done so after April 28-29, 2022 and Jan. 12-13, 1991.

HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HEADLINES 14-GAME SATURDAY
The NHL will head into a three-day holiday break with a 14-game slate on Saturday headlined by a four-pack of contests on Hockey Night in Canada featuring a plethora of stars such as Anze Kopitar, Sidney Crosby, Quinn Hughes and Auston Matthews.

  • Kopitar can continue his point-per-game pace this season when the Kings host Yegor Sharangovich and the Flames, who can extend their winning streak to four games. Sharangovich has scored six goals in seven contests since Dec. 9, which trail only Matthews, Gabriel Vilardi and Nathan MacKinnon for the most in the NHL over that span.
  • Crosby and the Penguins will aim for a third straight win when they visit their former assistant coach Jacques Martin, who is searching for his first victory since being named the Senators’ interim bench boss. Crosby has collected 4-2—6 over his last four games and needs three points to tie Joe Thornton for 12th place on the NHL’s all-time list.
  • Hughes can add to his League-leading point total among defensemen when the Canucks host Mikael Granlund and the Sharks. Hughes’ 42 points would be the most by any Vancouver blueliner through 35 games in a season and the third highest among active defensemen, behind Erik Karlsson with San Jose in 2022-23 (13-33—46 in 35 GP) and John Carlson with Washington in 2019-20 (12-33—45 in 35 GP).
  • Matthews and the Maple Leafs will look to rebound from a 9-3 loss Thursday when they visit Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets. Matthews has tallied at least once in his each of his last six appearances to boost his League-leading goal total to 26. Werenski will close out the final game before the holiday break by hosting the Community Shelter Board in “Z’s Suite” – the suite he’s purchased at Nationwide Arena to welcome special groups. Werenski has found a way to share his love for Christmas by supporting the Salvation Army Toy Drive and Christmas Cheer program, which collects thousands of toys to distribute to families in need.

SATURDAY FEATURES 10 OTHER GAMES INCLUDING FINAL REMATCH ON SPORTSNET
A total of 20 other teams are in action before the holiday break, including the Golden Knights and Panthers meeting for the first time since Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Sportsnet. Jack Eichel, who had 0-8—8 in five contests versus Florida during the championship series, can extend his franchise-record point streak to 13 games.

Commissioner Bettman Affirms Six-Game Suspension Assessed to Red Wings’ Perron

National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman has affirmed the six-game suspension that was assessed to Detroit Red Wings forward David Perron for cross-checking Ottawa Senators defenseman Artem Zub during NHL Game No. 412 in Detroit on Saturday, Dec. 9. Commissioner Bettman heard Perron’s appeal of the original decision, assessed Dec. 11, at a hearing on Dec. 19. The incident occurred at 13:50 of the first period. Perron was assessed a match penalty.

RED WINGS RECALL SIMON EDVINSSON FROM GRAND RAPIDS

The Detroit Red Wings have recalled defenseman Simon Edvinsson from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings have placed goaltender Alex Lyon on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 16.

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