NHL Review April 9, 2022

MAKAR MAKES HIS MARK WITH THIRD OVERTIME WINNER OF 2021-22
After Nikolaj Ehlers (2-1—3) tied the game for the Jets (33-28-11, 77 points) with just 16 seconds remaining in regulation, Cale Makar (1-1—2) scored the overtime winner to help his Avalanche (51-14-6, 108 points) quell the comeback attempt.

• The goal marked Makar’s third overtime tally of 2021-22 – the most among all defensemen – as he matched the franchise record for the most in a season by an Avalanche/Nordiques skater. Nathan MacKinnon (3 in 2017-18), Tyson Barrie (3 in 2013-14) and David Jones (3 in 2010-11) had previously hit the mark.

‘COMEBACK CATS’ CAPTURE NHL-LEADING 30TH HOME WIN OF 2021-22
Aleksander Barkov (0-2—2) recorded his sixth straight multi-point outing (6-8—14) and Jonathan Huberdeau (0-1—1) extended his point streak to 10 games (7-12—19) as the Panthers overcame a 3-1 deficit to earn their NHL-leading 30th home win of the season (30-6-0). It marked Florida’s eighth multi-goal comeback victory of 2021-22, the most in a single campaign in franchise history.

• Florida has now earned a multi-goal comeback victory in three of their last four appearances. The last team to record three multi-goal comeback wins in a four-game span was Detroit in 2018-19.
• Barkov moved into a tie with Huberdeau (6 GP in 2018-19) for the second-longest streak of multi-point games in Panthers history behind Pavel Bure (7 GP in 2000-01). Meanwhile, Huberdeau became the second player to record multiple double-digit point streaks in a season with the franchise (also 10 GP from Jan. 27 – Feb. 26), joining Bure (13 GP & 11 GP in 1999-00).
• The Bruins (45-21-5, 95 points) defeated the defending Stanley Cup-champion Lightning (43-20-8, 94 points) in overtime at AMALIE Arena, opening up a one-point lead over Tampa Bay for third place in the tightly-contested Atlantic Division standings.

STANLEYCUP PLAYOFF RACE: BLUES, WILD BATTLE IN CENTRAL DIVISION

The Blues (41-20-10, 92 points) rallied from a multi-goal deficit to defeat the Wild (43-21-6, 92 points) in overtime, as the two teams jockey for home ice in a potential First Round series between the clubs.

• Minnesota and St. Louis have been stationed within the top three of the Central Division for 151 and 150 days, respectively, in 2021-22. Only four teams have held a top-three position in their division for a longer span this season: Florida (178 days), Carolina (176 days), NY Rangers (172) and Toronto (159).
• The Blues have won both games between the clubs in 2021-22 after claiming victory in the 2022 Discover NHL Winter Classic at Target Field (6-4 W). They are scheduled to face each other once more in the regular season (April 16 in St. Louis). The two franchises have met in the postseason twice – both First Round series – with each team winning once: the Blues in five games in 2017 and Wild in six games in 2015.
• The Wild have their sights set on starting a First Round matchup with home-ice advantage for the first time since 2017, the last time these two franchises met in the postseason (4-1 L vs. STL). The Blues are angling for their 45th playoff berth, which would be five more than the next closest non-Original Six club (PHI: 40).

PALMIERI HAS LATE GO-AHEAD GOAL

Kyle Palmieri (1-1—2) factored on two Islanders goals, including scoring the winner with 15 seconds remaining in regulation, as New York snapped a five-game slide against Carolina with a victory at PNC Arena.

GAUDREAU, MATTHEWS CHASE FIRST 100-POINT SEASON

Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau (34-65—99 in 71 GP) and Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (56-41—97 in 66 GP) will each look to record their first career 100-point season as part of Hockey Night in Canada’s five-game slate.

• Gaudreau, who has matched his career high for points in a season set in 2018-19 (36-63—99 in 82 GP), can become the ninth different player in franchise history to hit the century mark in a season and first since Theo Fleury in 1992-93.
• Matthews, who set a new franchise mark for goals in a season as well as the most in a single campaign by a U.S.-born skater on Thursday, can become the third different player in Toronto Maple Leafs history to record a 100-point season joining Doug Gilmour (1993-94 & 1992-93) and Darryl Sittler (1977-78 & 1975-76).
• Matthews has scored 49 goals across his last 49 games played (49 in 49 GP dating to Nov. 24, 2021). He can become the first player to score 50 goals in a 50-game span (at any time of a season) since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 (51 in 50 GP from Oct. 26, 1995 to March 7, 1996).

ISLANDERS’ CIZIKAS SUSPENDED ONE GAME FOR BOARDING

New York Islanders forward Casey Cizikas has been suspended for one game, without pay, for boarding Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith during NHL Game No. 1139 in Raleigh, N.C., on Friday, April 8, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 0:07 of the third period. Cizikas was assessed a minor penalty for boarding.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Cizikas will forfeit $12,500.00. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video details a full explanation of the decision.