Posted on by Guest Writer
Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews. Photo: Tim Jarrold -in Play! magazine
08
Mar

NHL Review March 8, 2022

MATTHEWS, MAKAR REACH NOTABLE GOAL-SCORING PLATEAUS MONDAY
Auston Matthews (1-1—2) became the first player to score 40 goals this season, while Cale Makar (2-1—3) became the first blueliner to reach the 20-goal mark in 2021-22:

  • Matthews (40-32—72 in 53 GP), who is on pace for a career-high 59-goal season, boosted his lead atop the 2021-22 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race – now two ahead of both Chris Kreider (38) and Leon Draisaitl (38).
  • Matthews joined Darryl Sittler (1980-81, 1979-80, 1977-78 & 1975-76) as the second player in Maple Leafs history to record four 40-goal seasons, with three of those coming in the past three campaigns. Only one active player has recorded more consecutive 40-goal seasons: Alex Ovechkin (5).
  • Makar (20-43—63 in 53 GP), who leads all NHL defensemen in both goals and points in 2021-22, became the sixth blueliner in the last 30 years to require 53 or fewer games to reach the 20-goal mark in a season, joining Mike Green (42 GP in 2008-09), Brent Burns (48 GP in 2016-17), Kevin Hatcher (48 GP in 1992-93), Sergei Gonchar (50 GP in 1998-99) and Al MacInnis (51 GP in 1993-94).
  • Makar extended his assist streak to 12 games (2-17—19), the fifth-longest run by a defenseman in League history behind only Paul Coffey (17 GP in 1985-86), Brian Leetch (15 GP in 1991-92), Phil Housley (14 GP in 1992-93) and Bobby Orr (14 GP in 1970-71).

DIVISION LEADERS SKATE TO VICTORY
The Panthers (38-13-5, 81 points) surpassed the Lightning (37-12-6, 80 points) to move back into first place in the Atlantic Division standings, while the Flames (34-14-7, 75 points) maintained their lead atop the Pacific Division. Notably, Los Angeles (32-19-7, 71 points) kept pace with Calgary Monday with a win via a late-tying goal.

  • Florida, which leads all teams with 233 goals for, scored six goals for the second straight game and for the 21st time in 2021-22. Only three teams in the past 25 years have scored more goals through the first 60 contests of a season than the Panthers, despite the club only skating in 56: Tampa Bay (237 in 2018-19), Washington (239 in 2009-10) and Ottawa (242 in 2005-06).
  • Tyler Toffoli (2-0—2) scored twice and Johnny Gaudreau (1-1—2) netted a highlight-reel goal as the Flames extended their home point streak to 13 games (12-0-1) and improved to 13-1-1 since Feb. 1 – the most wins among all teams over that span. Gaudreau’s goal marked the 193rd of his career, moving him into a tie with Guy Chouinard and Hakan Loob for 10th place on the franchise’s all-time list.

NHL, NHLPA CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AND GENDER EQUALITY MONTH

The NHL and NHLPA are celebrating International Women’s Day today and Gender Equality Month this March by sharing stories of the women who move the game forward for the next generation.

  • Across the NHL and its 32 Clubs, there are nearly 100 women in Hockey Operations, player development, as well as player health and safety roles. This esteemed group of women are scouts, player and skating development coaches, data scientists and analysts, dieticians and nutritionists, doctors and physicians. This month, the League will provide a behind-the-scenes look at three women – Blake Bolden, Meghan Duggan and Brigette Lacquette – who have transitioned their illustrious on-ice careers to valued hockey operations roles in the NHL.
  • This year’s celebrations occur during a momentous season for women in hockey, which has already seen 10 referees and linespersons make their officiating debut in the American Hockey League, Émilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato join the Canucks in the role of assistant general manager, Ali Murdock and Francesca Ranieri make history with the NHL ice crew at Stadium Series and many more stories from across the hockey world.

BUCKLE UP FOR A BUSY TUESDAY AHEAD

Tuesday will feature 22 teams in action simultaneously as all 11 games will begin by 9 p.m. ET. All eyes will be on the youthful talent of Jason Robertson and Kirill Kaprizov, who have each recorded multi-goal outings in their past two contests. Meanwhile, Nick Schmaltz is coming off his seven-point performance Saturday, which marked the most in a single game by any NHL player in over a decade.

  • Robertson, who was named the NHL’s first star Monday, has recorded a hat trick in each of his past two games. No player in League history has done so in three straight. Should Robertson record another multi-goal performance, he would become the third in Stars/North Stars history to extend their run to three contests. The only players to do so were Minnesota’s Dino Ciccarelli (4 GP in 1983-84, 3 GP in 1981-82 twice) and Mike Modano (3 GP in 2001-02).
  • Kaprizov, who leads the Wild in goals, assists and points in 2021-22 (28-42—70 in 53 GP), is just two shy of his first career 30-goal season. Should he score twice Tuesday, he will have required the fourth-fewest games in franchise history to reach the mark in a season – Marian Gaborik accounts for the three other instances of fewer contests (47 GP in 2006-07, 48 GP in 2005-06 & 53 GP in 2007-08).
  • Schmaltz established a Coyotes/Jets record for most points in a game with 2-5—7 Saturday. The most points in a two-game span in franchise history is nine, established three times – all with Winnipeg: Thomas Steen (4-5—9 from Feb. 22-23, 1993), Dale Hawerchuk (4-5—9 from Feb. 6-12, 1988) and Willy Lindstrom (7-2—9 from Feb. 28 – March 2, 1982).
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Guest Writer