NHL Review December 22, 2021 – NHL Says No Olympic Break

STAMKOS, VASILEVSKIY HELP LIGHTNING HEAD INTO HOLIDAY BREAK WITH NHL LEAD
Steven Stamkos scored the game winner and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 38 saves as the Lightning (20-6-4, 44 points) erased a two-goal deficit and overtook the idle Hurricanes (21-7-1, 43 points) for first place in the NHL standings. Tampa Bay overcame a multi-goal deficit to win for the third time this season and are one of three teams to do so at least three times in 2021-22 – also Vegas (4) and Florida (3).

• Stamkos scored his 65th career game-winning goal and surpassed Martin St. Louis (64) for the most in Lightning history. Since he entered the NHL in 2008-09, only four players have recorded more: Alex Ovechkin (94), Jeff Carter (72), Phil Kessel (67) and Patrick Marleau (66).
• Vasilevskiy extended his win streak to seven games, one shy of the longest run by a goaltender this season behind only Frederik Andersen (8 GP).

PACIORETTY CONTINUES STRONG START TO 2021-22
Max Pacioretty (0-1—1), who skated in his 200th career game in a Golden Knights uniform, assisted on Mark Stone’s power-play goal to improve his 2021-22 totals to 12-9—21. It marked Pacioretty’s 46th power-play point with Vegas, which trails only Shea Theodore (56) and Jonathan Marchessault (54) on the franchise’s all-time list.

NHL Announces That There Will Not Be an Olympic Break

NHL Players will not be able to participate in 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as NHL games are to be rescheduled during the period from Feb. 6 through 22.

With the National Hockey League’s regular-season schedule having been materially disrupted as a result of increasing COVID cases and a rising number of postponed games, the National Hockey League has announced that NHL Players will not participate in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“The National Hockey League respects and admires the desire of NHL Players to represent their countries and participate in a ‘best on best’ tournament. Accordingly, we have waited as long as possible to make this decision while exploring every available option to enable our Players to participate in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Unfortunately, given the profound disruption to the NHL’s regular-season schedule caused by recent COVID-related events — 50 games already have been postponed through Dec. 23 — Olympic participation is no longer feasible. We certainly acknowledge and appreciate the efforts made by the International Olympic Committee, the International Ice Hockey Federation and the Beijing Organizing Committee to host NHL Players but current circumstances have made it impossible for us to proceed despite everyone’s best efforts. We look forward to Olympic participation in 2026.

“Our focus and goal have been and must remain to responsibly and safely complete the entirety of the NHL regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs in a timely manner. Therefore, with stringent health protocols once again in place, we will begin utilizing available dates during the Feb. 6-22 window (originally contemplated to accommodate Olympic participation) to reschedule games that have been, or may yet be, postponed.”

COC Statement on NHL Withdrawing from Beijing 2022

The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) issued the following statement in reaction to the National Hockey League’s (NHL) decision to withdraw from participating at Beijing 2022:

“Today’s announcement by the NHL is undoubtedly disappointing for some hockey fans. However, given the recent changes to the NHL schedule, the Canadian Olympic Committee understands the decision.

There is an extraordinarily deep talent pool in Canadian hockey. We’re excited to rally behind the men’s team as it steps on to the ice for its first game on February 10th, attempting to win its fourth consecutive medal. And, together with fans from across the country, we will be cheering for Canada’s incredible women’s team as it competes for its seventh consecutive Olympic medal and fifth gold.

We know that the top Canadian NHL players were excited to wear the Team Canada jersey, and we hope to see them get that opportunity once again in 2026.”

David Shoemaker, CEO and Secretary General, Canadian Olympic Committee