NHL Review February 9, 2022

HEINEN HAULS PENGUINS TO MULTI-GOAL COMEBACK WIN WITH TWO QUICK GOALS

Danton Heinen (2-0—2) scored twice 28 seconds apart to erase a two-goal deficit and Sidney Crosby (1-0—1) moved within one of the 500-goal milestone as the third-place Penguins (28-11-8, 64 points) matched the Rangers (30-13-4, 64 points) – who sit second in the Metropolitan Division – in terms of standing points.

• Crosby improved his career totals against the Bruins to 17-48—65 (51 GP) – the highest total among active players. Crosby leads all active players in scoring against seven franchises (also BUF, NJD, NYI, NYR, PHI & WSH) – Joe Thornton (8: ANA, ARI, CHI, COL, DAL, EDM, LAK & VAN) is the only current NHL skater with more franchises in that scenario.
• Pittsburgh secured its fourth multi-goal comeback win of the season, which trails only Minnesota (5) for the most among all teams.

PIETRANGELO POTS ONE FOR 500TH CAREER POINT
Alex Pietrangelo (1-0—1) scored to record his 500th career point, while Laurent Brossoit (28 saves) secured his third career shutout – and first as a member of the Golden Knights – as Vegas (28-16-3, 59 points) earned its third straight win, padding its lead atop the Pacific Division.

• Pietrangelo became the fourth defenseman from the 2008 NHL Draft class to record 500 career points, joining Erik Karlsson (151-500—651 in 821 GP), Drew Doughty (130-430—560 in 1,003 GP) and John Carlson (124-433—557 in 853 GP).

LAINE, JENNER LEAD BLUE JACKETS PAST CAPITALS IN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR
Patrik Laine (2-1—3) helped the Blue Jackets erase 2-0 and 3-2 deficits, before Boone Jenner (1-1—2) scored the go-ahead goal with 45 seconds left in the third period to lead Columbus to victory. Thirteen of the Blue Jackets’ 21 wins in 2021-22 have been in come-from-behind fashion.

• Laine, with multiple points in each of his past four games dating to Jan. 27 (6-3—9), became the first player in Blue Jackets history to record three consecutive multi-goal outings. Two other players have done so this season: Bryan Rust (3 GP from Jan. 2-6) and Brad Marchand (3 GP from Jan. 8-12).
• With his parents in attendance, 22-year-old Trey Fix-Wolansky scored in his NHL debut after being selected by Columbus in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft. Fix-Wolansky suited up across from his childhood idol Alex Ovechkin, whose jersey is hanging in his room back home.

HELLEBUYCK BLANKS WILD

Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped all 27 shots he faced to record his 27th career shutout. Hellebuyck helped the Jets end a number of Minnesota’s streaks, including its six- and 10-game win and point streaks, respectively, and Kevin Fiala’s 12-game point streak.

BLACK HOCKEY HISTORY HIGHLIGHT: SHAWN THORNS

Shawn Thorns broke into professional hockey after tearing his meniscus playing goalie in his teens. A friend who worked for South Carolina of the ECHL knew Thorns was restless hobbling around at home and gave him an invitation to come help clean visors just to get him out of the house. Years later, Thorns is now head equipment manager for the Panthers’ ECHL affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina and has visions of taking his talents to the NHL.

TNT DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES WEDNESDAY SLATE

The Predators (28-14-4, 60 points) and Stars (23-18-2, 48 points) as well as the Islanders (16-17-6 38 points) and Canucks (21-20-6, 48 points) are two of six games scheduled for Wednesday, with both nationally broadcast on TNT.

• Nashville is 4-0-1 in its past five games dating to Jan. 20 and have been led by Filip Forsberg over that span (5-3—8 in 5 GP). Forsberg, with multiple points in each of his past four contests, can become the first player in Predators history to register two or more points in five straight games.
• Stars forward Joe Pavelski (Plover, Wis.) has notched 19-29—48 in 43 games this season and sits one shy of his second straight 20-goal campaign with Dallas and the 12th of his career. Should he reach the benchmark Wednesday, Pavelski – a seventh round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft (205th overall) – would become the seventh U.S.-born player in League history to record 12 or more 20-goal seasons and third active joining Patrick Kane (13) and Phil Kessel (12).