NHL Recap – Jan. 3, 2022

ZIBANEJAD ALSO NETS HAT TRICK IN RANGERS’ WIN
Mika Zibanejad scored three of his team’s four goals as the Rangers (21-8-4, 46 points) shut out the defending Stanley Cup-champion Lightning to strengthen their grip on third place in the Metropolitan Division. It marked Zibanejad’s eighth career hat trick and seventh with New York, tied with Rod Gilbert for the second most in franchise history behind only Bill Cook (9).

RUST, RODRIGUES RECORD HAT TRICKS IN WILD MATINEE . . .
Bryan Rust (3-2—5) and Evan Rodrigues (3-0—3) each scored a hat trick Sunday as the Penguins piled up eight goals for the first time this season to outlast the Sharks in a 13-goal meeting and extend the NHL’s longest active win streak to eight games.

• Rust became the third different player this season to record a five-point outing, joining Jonathan Huberdeau (1-4—5 on Dec. 2 & 30, 2021) and Anze Kopitar (3-2—5 on Oct. 14, 2021). The last Penguins player to record a five-point game was Evgeni Malkin (2-3—5 on Nov. 27, 2019).
• The Penguins scored six goals in the opening frame and matched their franchise record for the most in a first period, achieved just once prior to Sunday (also Feb. 21, 1976). Pittsburgh has scored more than six goals in any period just three times in franchise history (8 on Dec. 17, 1991; 7 on Nov. 22, 1972 & Feb. 27, 1995).

NOTABLE STREAKS BY No. 1 OVERALL PICKS
Jan. 2 updates features several more notes from Sunday’s seven games, including multiple first overall picks in the NHL Draft extending noteworthy streaks:

• Devils forward Jack Hughes (0-2—2) assisted on the overtime winner by Nico Hischier (2-0—2) and has multiple points in each of his last three games dating to Dec. 29, 2021 (3-5—8). Hischier has found the score sheet in each of his last five games played dating to Dec. 8, 2021 (3-3—6).
• Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon (0-3—3) extended his point streak to 10 games (2-15—17) as Colorado earned its ninth consecutive victory at Ball Arena, one shy of equaling the longest home win streak in franchise history achieved three times previously (1983-84, 1994-95 & 2017-18). The Avalanche (18-8-2, 38 points) moved ahead of the Oilers (18-12-2, 38 points) and Kings (16-12-5, 37 points) to claim the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

OILERS LOOK TO SNAP THREE-GAME WINLESS STREAK MONDAY
League scoring leader Connor McDavid (19-34—53 in 32 GP) and the Oilers (18-12-2, 38 points) look to snap a three-game winless streak (0-1-2) when they visit Mika Zibanejad (11-19—30 in 33 GP) and the Rangers (21-8-4, 46 points) at Madison Square Garden Monday.

Panthers’ Bennett Suspended Three Games for Illegal Check to the Head
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Montreal Canadiens forward Cedric Paquette during NHL Game No. 568 in Florida on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2021.

The incident occurred at 3:09 of the first period.

Bennett is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $161,890.23. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video gives a full explanation of the decision.

Kyrou, Hughes and Huberdeau Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week
St. Louis Blues center Jordan Kyrou, New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes and Florida Panthers left wing Jonathan Huberdeau have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 2.

FIRST STAR – JORDAN KYROU, C, ST. LOUIS BLUES

Kyrou collected 3-4—7 in two games, highlighted by a record 2-2—4 in the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic, to help the Blues (19-9-5, 43 points) move into first place in the Central Division via a pair of wins. He registered 1-2—3, including the primary assist on Vladimir Tarasenko’s decisive goal, in a 4‑2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 29. Kyrou then established outdoor NHL records for points both in a period and in a game with 2-2—4, as well as the winning goal, in a 6-4 triumph against the Minnesota Wild at the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic on New Year’s Day. The 23-year-old Toronto native has played in 29 total contests this season, ranking second on St. Louis in goals (t-12), assists (20) and points (32). Those totals are just shy of his career highs, set in 55 games in 2020-21 (14-21—35).

SECOND STAR – JACK HUGHES, C, NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Hughes led the NHL with 3-5—8 in three outings, all multi-point performances, to power the Devils (13-15-5, 31 points) to a perfect week. He notched 1-2—3, his fourth career three-point effort, in a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 29. Hughes followed that up with 2-1—3, highlighted by his third career overtime goal, in a 6-5 triumph over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 31. He capped the week with two assists, including the lone helper on Nico Hischier’s overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory against the Washington Capitals Jan. 2. The 20-year-old Orlando, Fla., native and No. 1 overall pick from the 2019 NHL Draft paces New Jersey with 1.00 points per game this season, placing seventh on the team overall with 8-8—16 in 16 total appearances.

THIRD STAR – JONATHAN HUBERDEAU, LW, FLORIDA PANTHERS

Huberdeau topped the NHL with seven assists in three games (1-7—8) to also guide the Panthers (21-7-4, 46 points) to a perfect week. He was held off the scoresheet in a 4-3 win against the New York Rangers Dec. 29, but rebounded with 1-4—5 – his fourth career five-point performance and second of the season (also Dec. 2 vs. BUF: 1-4—5) – in a 9-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning Dec. 30. Huberdeau then added three helpers, one in each period, in a 5-2 victory against the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 1. The 28-year-old Saint-Jerome, Que., native has skated in 32 total contests this season, ranking second in the League in assists (30) and fourth in points (41).

NHL Postpones Ottawa-Seattle Game on Jan. 6
The National Hockey League announced today that, due to COVID-related issues affecting the Ottawa Senators, the Ottawa at Seattle game on Thursday, Jan. 6, has been postponed. The Senators will resume their regular season schedule on Saturday, Jan. 8, at Vancouver. A make-up date for the game has yet to be established.