NHL Review December 20, 2021
VEGAS WINS FIFTH STRAIGHT IN LEHNER’S RETURN TO LONG ISLAND
On the day that Robin Lehner (29 saves) made his emotional return to Long Island, Shea Theodore (2-0—2) scored the game-tying goal with 48 seconds remaining in regulation and added a shootout marker as the Golden Knights (20-11-0, 40 points) won their fifth straight contest to climb to the top of the Pacific Division for the first time since opening night.
- Lehner, who credits Islanders fans for helping him battle his bipolar disorder and addiction, claimed both the William M. Jennings Trophy and Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy with New York in 2018-19 while posting career bests in wins (25), shutouts (6) and goals-against average (2.13) that season (min. 10 GP).
- The Golden Knights, who have mounted an NHL-best five comeback wins in the month of December, have made a habit of coming from behind this season – their 10 comeback victories match the Blues (10) for the most among all teams in 2021-22.
EHLERS RECORDS FOUR POINTS, JETS EARN FIRST WIN UNDER LOWRY
Nikolaj Ehlers (1-3—4) recorded his fourth career four-point game and Paul Stastny (2-1—3) secured his 500th career assist as the Jets (14-11-5, 33 points) earned their first win under interim head coach Dave Lowry.
- Stastny (270-500—770) became the fourth active skater drafted in the second round or later to record 500 career assists – he joined Patrice Bergeron (385-555—940), Duncan Keith (106-524—630) and Keith Yandle (102-508—610).
WIN STREAKS AND COMEBACKS
The Penguins and Kings, who both earned wins on Sunday.
- Drew O’Connor (Chatham, N.J.) celebrated his homecoming in New Jersey by helping Pittsburgh extend its win streak to 7-0-0 – tied with Nashville for the longest active run. O’Connor, who last skated at Prudential Center in a state championship high school hockey game, frequently attended Devils games as a child and was in attendance for Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Final when an overtime goal by Adam Henrique sent New Jersey to the Stanley Cup Final.
- Anze Kopitar (0-1—1) factored on the first of three unanswered goals to help the Kings earn a two-goal comeback win against the Capitals – who sit tied for the League-lead in points with the Hurricanes.
WILD AIM FOR 20TH WIN OF 2021-22
The Wild (19-8-2, 40 points) aim to become the fourth team to record 20 wins this season when they visit the Stars (14-12-2, 30 points) at American Airlines Center. Should Minnesota earn a victory, the club would match its franchise mark for fewest games to reach 20 wins, achieved only once: 2011-12 (30 GP).
LARKIN, TARASENKO AND EHLERS NAMED NHL ‘THREE STARS’ OF THE WEEK
Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko and Winnipeg Jets left wing Nikolaj Ehlers have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 19, 2021.
FIRST STAR – DYLAN LARKIN, C, DETROIT RED WINGS
Larkin led the NHL with five goals and seven points in three games (5-2—7) to propel the Red Wings (15-13-3, 33 points) to a 2-1-0 week and into the final Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. The Detroit captain scored once in a 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders Dec. 14. He then registered 1-1—2, his seventh multi-point performance of the season, in a 5-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 16. Larkin capped the week with 3-1—4, marking both his first career hat trick and four-point outing (460 GP), in a 5-2 triumph over the New Jersey Devils Dec. 18. The 25-year-old Waterford, Mich., native and 15th overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft tops the Red Wings with 15-14—29 in 27 total contests this season. His 15 goals share 10th place in the League (with Sebastian Aho and Jake Guentzel).
SECOND STAR – VLADIMIR TARASENKO, RW, ST. LOUIS BLUES
Tarasenko ranked second in the NHL with four goals in three appearances (4-2—6) as the Blues (17-9-5, 39 points) went 2-1-0 to maintain third place in the Central Division. He posted 1-2—3, his second three-point effort of the season (also Nov. 27 vs. CBJ: 0-3—3), in a 4-1 victory against the Dallas Stars Dec. 14. Tarasenko then scored twice, including his 38th career game-winning goal (5th in franchise history), to help St. Louis complete a sweep of its home-and-home set with Dallas via a 4-1 triumph Dec. 17. He added his team-leading 12th goal of the campaign in a 4-2 loss to the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 19. The 30-year-old Yaroslavl, Russia, native and 16th overall selection from the 2010 NHL Draft paces the Blues with 12-17—29 in 31 total outings this season.
THIRD STAR – NIKOLAJ EHLERS, LW, WINNIPEG JETS
Ehlers factored on seven of Winnipeg’s eight goals, placing second in the League with 2-5—7 in three contests to help the Jets (14-11-5, 33 points) go 1-2-0. He scored once in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres Dec. 14. Ehlers then assisted on both Winnipeg goals in a 5-2 defeat against the Washington Capitals Dec. 17. He finished the week with 1-3—4, his fourth career four-point performance and second of the calendar year (also Jan. 26 vs. EDM: 1-3—4), in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues Dec. 19. The 25-year-old Aalborg, Denmark, native and ninth overall pick from the 2014 NHL Draft ranks third on the Jets with 12-12—24 in 30 total appearances this season.
Blackhawks’ Connolly Suspended Four Games for Interference
Chicago Blackhawks forward Brett Connolly has been suspended for four games, without pay, for interference against Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero during NHL Game No. 475 in Dallas on Saturday, Dec. 18,2021. The incident occurred at 2:58 of the first period. Connolly was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for interference. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Connolly will forfeit $70,000. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Video details a full explanation of the decision.
RED WINGS SHUT DOWN THROUGH THE HOLIDAY BREAK
The National Hockey League has announced that due to concern with the number of positive cases within the last several days, as well continued COVID spread, the Detroit Red Wings’ games will be postponed at least through the scheduled completion of the League’s Holiday Break in the schedule on Dec. 26. The decision was made by the NHL’s, the NHLPA’s and the Club medical groups.
A decision on when the Red Wings’ training facilities will re-open will be made by the League and the NHLPA in the coming days. The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the Red Wings’ regular season schedule. Red Wings’ postponed games include, tomorrow vs. Colorado (previously postponed) plus Thursday’s game at Minnesota.
The Detroit Red Wings have assigned right wing Riley Barber, center Kyle Criscuolo, left wing Taro Hirose and goaltender Calvin Pickard to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.
Maple Leafs Pause Team Activities Through The Holiday Break
The National Hockey League has announced that due to concern with the number of positive cases within the last several days, as well continued COVID spread, the Toronto Maple Leafs will pause team activities through the scheduled completion of the League’s Holiday Break in the schedule on Dec. 26, 2021.
A decision on when the Maple Leafs’ training facilities will re-open will be made by the League and the NHLPA in the coming days. The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the Maple Leafs’ regular-season schedule. The Maple Leafs’ lone remaining scheduled game before the Holiday Break, Thursday vs. St. Louis, had been postponed previously.
Blue Jackets and Canadiens Shut Down Through the Holiday Break
The National Hockey League has announced that, due to concern with the number of positive cases within the last several days as well concern for continued COVID spread, the Columbus Blue Jackets’ games will be postponed at least through the scheduled completion of the League’s Holiday Break in the schedule on Dec. 26. Additionally, the Montreal Canadiens will pause team activities at least through Dec. 26. The decision was made by the NHL’s, the NHLPA’s and the Club medical groups.
A decision on when each team’s training facilities will re-open will be made by the League and the NHLPA in the coming days. The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the regular season schedule.
The Blue Jackets were scheduled to play tonight at Buffalo and Thursday at home vs. Buffalo, while the Canadiens’ remaining scheduled games before the Holiday Break, tonight at NY Islanders, Dec. 22 at NY Rangers and Dec. 23 at New Jersey, had been postponed previously.
NHL Postpones Tomorrow’s Devils-Penguins Game
The National Hockey League has announced that due to COVID-related issues affecting the New Jersey Devils, tomorrow’s game in Pittsburgh has been postponed. A make-up date for the game has yet to be established. New Jersey’s game on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens has been previously postponed.