NHL Review April 9, 2021
OVECHKIN PASSES HULL, REACHES 20-GOAL MARK FOR 16TH STRAIGHT SEASON
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (20-15—35 in 36 GP) scored his 266th career power-play goal to pass Brett Hull (265) for sole possession of second place on the League’s all-time list and reach the 20-goal mark for the 16th consecutive season in the Capitals 4-2 loss to the Bruins. Ovechkin becomes the eighth player in NHL history to achieve that feat and the fourth to do so from the start of his career. Ovechkin joined Gordie Howe (22 w/ DET) as just the second player in League history to post 16 consecutive 20-goal seasons for a single franchise.
Ovechkin is the only active NHL player with 16 or more 20-goal seasons at any point in his career and the 21st player in League history to accumulate as many such campaigns. The only other players to have as many with a single franchise are Howe (22 w/ DET), Joe Sakic (17 w/ QUE/COL), Johnny Bucyk (16 w/ BOS) and Mike Modano (16 w/ MNS/DAL).
LAMORIELLO PASSES SATHER AS ISLANDERS CONTINUE WINNING WAYS AT HOME
Lou Lamoriello of the Islanders earned his 1,320th career win as an NHL general manager and passed Glen Sather (1,319) for sole possession of second place in League history. Nashville’s David Poile tops the all-time list with 1,437.
Brock Nelson (1-0—1) scored the shootout-deciding goal as New York improved to 26-10-4 (56 points) in 2020-21, including a 17-1-2 (36 points) record at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and moved ahead of Washington (25-11-4, 54 points) for first place in the MassMutual East Division. Ilya Sorokin (25 saves) has backstopped the Islanders to seven of their 17 home wins this season.
CAROLINA, TAMPA BAY, NASHVILLE WIN AS CENTRAL PLAYOFF RACE INTENSIFIES
The Hurricanes (27-9-3, 57 points) shut out the Panthers (26-11-4, 56 points) to grab first place in the Discover Central Division, while the Lightning (27-11-2, 56 points) and Predators (22-18-1, 45 points) also earned pivotal wins to keep pace in the division’s tightly-contested playoff race:
Vincent Trocheck (1-1—2) scored for the sixth straight game against the Panthers and Alex Nedeljkovic (24 saves) recorded his third shutout of the season, tops among rookie goaltenders. Only one Hurricanes/Whalers rookie has posted more shutouts in a single season: Peter Sidorkiewicz (4 in 1988-89).
Yanni Gourde collected four helpers in a game for the first time in his career – including an assist on a goal by Blake Coleman (1-2—3) at 0:58 of the first period – and matched a career high in points, a feat he first achieved earlier this season (March 7 at CHI). Tampa Bay, which moved past Florida for second place in the division, was one of four teams to score an opening-minute goal on Thursday (also BOS, BUF & WPG).
Viktor Arvidsson scored a penalty-shot goal at 11:06 of the third period to complete the third hat trick of his NHL career and help Nashville open a four-point lead on Chicago (18-18-5, 41 points) for fourth place in the division. Arvidsson became the first player in franchise history to complete a hat trick with a penalty-shot goal.
OILERS SWEEP SEASON SERIES AGAINST SENATORS
Tyson Barrie (0-1—1) was one of seven Oilers players with a point on Thursday as Edmonton swept its nine-game season series against Ottawa (OTT: 0-9-0), with Barrie recording 14 points in those contests (3-11—14). The Oilers improved to 25-14-2 (52 points) this season and maintained a one-point edge on the Jets (24-13-3, 51 points) for second place in the Scotia North Division.
FRIDAY WILL CLOSE WITH A FOUR-PACK OF HONDA WEST DIVISION GAMES
The Honda West Division will be in full focus tonight as all eight teams are in action, with only five points separating the No. 4 and No. 6 seeds. The Blues (17-16-6, 40 points), whose remaining opponents have the highest combined points percentage (.625) of any team in the West, will face the third-place Wild (24-12-2, 50 points) in the first of seven meetings between the clubs over a span of 23 days.
Avalanche’s MacDonald Suspended Two Games for Illegal Check to the Head
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jacob MacDonald has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman during NHL Game No. 623 in Minnesota on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. The incident occurred at 14:42 of the first period.
Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, MacDonald will forfeit $12,500. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Video shows a full explanation of the decision.