NHL Review February 12, 2022

OILERS EARN WIN UNDER WOODCROFT

Under the helm of new head coach, Jay Woodcroft, Connor McDavid recorded his 21st multi-point game of the season – the most among all players – and Mike Smith (37 saves) earned his first win since Oct. 16. The Oilers (24-18-3, 51 points) moved within four points of the Ducks (23-17-9, 55 points), who currently occupy the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Woodcroft’s win came against Barry Trotz (894-653-224) – the third-winningest head coach in NHL history. Only one other head coach making his NHL debut has earned a win while defeating a bench boss with as many wins as Trotz – Craig MacTavish’s Oilers on Oct. 6, 2000 which opposed Detroit’s Scotty Bowman, who had 1,145 wins under his belt at the time.

ROBERTSON’S OVERTIME HEROICS HELP STARS PULL CLOSER TO FINAL WILD CARD SPOT

Jamie Benn (1-1—2) factored on two go-ahead goals, but the Jets tied the game with 32 seconds left in regulation to push the Stars into overtime where Jason Robertson tallied his team-leading sixth game-winner of the season. With the win, Dallas (25-18-2, 52 points) inched within three points of Anaheim (23-17-9, 55 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

STAMKOS SECURES MULTI-GOAL OUTING

Steven Stamkos (2-0—2) recorded his 81st career multi-goal outing to propel the Lightning (31-11-6, 68 points) past the Hurricanes (32-10-3, 67 points) for third in the NHL standings on Friday night.

SUPER BOWL ROUND-UP: AVALANCHE PLAYERS GIFT TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Don White, Colorado’s assistant equipment manager since 2020-21, was gifted a trip of a lifetime by the Avalanche players – an all-expenses trip paid to the Super Bowl.

RED WINGS RECALL RENOUF FROM GRIFFINS
The Detroit Red Wings have recalled defenseman Dan Renouf from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. Additionally, the Red Wings removed defenseman Troy Stecher from injured reserve.

BLACK HOCKEY HISTORY HIGHLIGHT: SUBBAN FAMILY

P.K. Subban was the first in a line of three Subban brothers selected in the NHL Draft and made his League debut 12 years ago today where he tallied 0-1—1 (at PHI). At the time, he became the fifth Montreal blueliner in the past 15 years to record a point in his NHL debut.

• P.K. (43rd overall by MTL), who became the first defenseman from his draft class to skate in 800 career games on Feb. 7, was selected in 2007. He was followed by Malcolm (24th overall in 2012 by BOS) and Jordan (115th overall in 2013 by VAN).

SIXTEEN TEAMS SET FOR SATURDAY

Sixteen teams are in action on Saturday’s eight-game slate which will be capped off by the Flames (25-13-6, 56 points), who will put a five-game win streak on the line when they welcome the Islanders (17-18-6, 40 points) to Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary will look to inch closer to Pacific Division-leading Vegas (28-17-3, 59 points), which holds a three-point edge over the Flames yet has contested four additional games.

• Calgary will look to post its second win streak of six or more games this season (also 6-0-0 from Dec. 21-30, 2021). The Flames have won six or more consecutive contests multiple times in a single campaign four times in franchise history: 2016-17 (10 GP & 6 GP), 2006-07 (6 GP twice), 1988-89 (8 GP & 7 GP) and 1986-87 (7 GP & 6 GP).