NHL Review January 30, 2021
BJORKSTRAND, BLUE JACKETS EDGE BLACKHAWKS TO EXTEND STREAK
Oliver Bjorkstrand (1-1—2) factored on both Columbus goals and Joonas Korpisalo made 31 saves as the Blue Jackets edged the Blackhawks to extend their point streak to seven games (4-0-3 dating to Jan. 18). Columbus is the third team to record at least one point in seven consecutive games this season, joining Montreal (5-0-2) and Washington (5-0-3) – which can both extend Saturday.
Bjorkstrand recorded his 14th multi-point outing since 2019-20, the most among all Blue Jackets players over that span. After leading the team in goals last season (21), Bjorkstrand sits atop all Columbus skaters in both assists and points (3-5—8) through nine games in 2020-21.
John Tortorella capped his 400th game behind the Blue Jackets bench with a win. Since he took over as the team’s bench boss on Oct. 22, 2015, Columbus sits within the NHL’s top 10 in wins (213; 7th) – behind Washington (250; 1st), Tampa Bay (246; 2nd), Boston (232; 3rd), Pittsburgh (230; 4th), St. Louis (225; 5th) and Nashville (216; 6th).
A 12-GAME SATURDAY OPENS BUSY WEEKEND IN THE NHL
One of the busiest weekends of the 2020-21 season is set to get underway with 12 games on Saturday, including Zdeno Chara’s first game against the Bruins since signing with the Capitals in the offseason, followed by an eight-game slate on Sunday.
BRUINS SET TO FACE FORMER CAPTAIN CHARA
Boston (5-1-1, 11 points), winners of its last four games, is set to visit Washington (5-0-3, 13 points) and face former captain Zdeno Chara for the first time since he signed with the Capitals on Dec. 30, 2020. Chara, who had 1-1—2 in his last outing, was the Bruins’ captain for 14 consecutive seasons (2006-07–2019-20) and led Boston to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup in 39 years in 2011.
Chara’s multi-point effort on Thursday helped the Capitals rally past the Islanders and extend their season-opening point streak to eight games, the longest such run in franchise history. The last team with a point in each of their first nine-plus contests was the Canadiens in 2016-17 (9-0-1).
STARS, MAPLE LEAFS AND JETS ALSO PUT STREAKS ON THE LINE
Dallas (4-0-0, 8 points), Toronto (7-2-0, 14 points) and Winnipeg (5-2-0, 10 points) also put streaks on the line Saturday:
The Stars aim to move to 5-0-0 for the third time in franchise history when they visit the Hurricanes (3-1-0, 6 points), who blanked the defending Stanley Cup champions in their home opener Thursday. Joe Pavelski (4-5—9 in 4 GP) can become the fourth NHL player age 36 or older with a double-digit point total through five games played in a season.
The League-leading Maple Leafs, winners of their last four contests and a 3-0-0 mark on their four-game Alberta road trip, conclude the trek with a second straight meeting against the Oilers (3-6-0, 6 points). Toronto has earned four wins in Alberta during a single regular season one prior occasion, which occurred in 1998-99 (3-2 W at EDM on Oct. 13, 1998, 7-3 W at CGY on Oct. 16, 1998, 5-1 W at EDM on April 1, 1999 & 5-1 W at CGY on April 3, 1999).
The Jets, who are 10-0-0 in their last 10 games against the Canucks dating to Dec. 22, 2016 (VAN: 0-10-0), are set to square off with their new divisional foe for the first time in 2020-21. Winnipeg’s 10 straight victories versus Vancouver marks the longest regular-season win streak against one opponent in Jets/Thrashers franchise history.
Golden Knights-Sharks Games Feb. 1 and Feb. 3 Postponed
The National Hockey League announced today that the games currently scheduled for February 1 and February 3 between the Vegas Golden Knights and the San Jose Sharks have been postponed and will be rescheduled for later in the season in San Jose. Currently, four members of the Golden Knights, including three coaches, are being isolated in connection with the League’s COVID Protocol. The team’s training facilities will remain closed until further notice.
The Golden Knights organization has, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, state and national agencies.
Wild’s Fiala Suspended Three Games for Boarding
Minnesota Wild forward Kevin Fiala has been suspended for three games, without pay, for boarding Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy during NHL Game No. 118 in Minnesota on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. The incident occurred at 5:32 of the second period. Fiala was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Fiala will forfeit $77,586.21. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
For a full explanation of the decision, please watch the video.