NHL Review Sunday February 18 2018

SUNDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Philadelphia 7, NY Rangers 4
Edmonton 4, COLORADO 2
New Jersey 3, CAROLINA 2 (OT)
Pittsburgh 5, COLUMBUS 2
Toronto 3, DETROIT 2
SAN JOSE 5, Dallas 2
WINNIPEG 7, Florida 2

LATE GOAL HELPS MAPLE LEAFS CONTINUE RECENT SUCCESS

Auston Matthews scored the go-ahead goal with 30.2 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Maple Leafs (36-20-5, 77 points) to a 10-2-0 record in their last 12 games. Toronto is third in the Atlantic Division standings, one point back of Boston (35-13-8, 78 points) for second place.

Matthews was the first Maple Leafs player to score a go-ahead goal at 19:29 of the third period or later since Matt Hunwick (19:52) on Jan. 19, 2016 at PHI (3-2 W). Overall, Matthews scored the ninth go-ahead goal in the final minute of regulation this season.

GIROUX, KONECNY POWER FLYERS’ SEVEN-GOAL OUTBURST

Claude Giroux and Travis Konecny each posted 1-2—3 as the Flyers (30-19-10, 70 points) erupted for seven goals to extend their point streak to eight games (6-0-2). Philadelphia is third in the Metropolitan Division standings, three points back of Washington (33-18-7, 73 points) for second place.

Giroux scored his 200th career goal and is tied for third in the NHL with 20-49—69 this season (59 GP). Konecny, meanwhile, has 15-19—34 in 2017-18 (59 GP) and eclipsed the goal, assist and point totals from his 2016-17 rookie campaign (11-17—28 in 70 GP).

Alex Lyon made 25 saves in relief of Michal Neuvirth to earn the first victory of his NHL career (4 GP). Lyon became the third goaltender in Flyers history to earn his first career win in a relief effort.

Sunday’s contest between the Flyers and Rangers marked the 53rd time this season that a game has featured at least 10 combined goals (910 GP). The last season to feature as many such instances through the first 910 games was 2008-09 (58). The average goals per game this season is 5.91 (including shootout-deciding goals). The last season to conclude with a higher goals per game average was 2005-06 (6.17).

HALL, HISCHIER EXTEND STREAKS IN OVERTIME WIN

Former Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall scored with 22.7 seconds remaining in overtime to power the Devils (31-20-8, 70 points) to their fourth consecutive win on the heels of a four-game slide (0-4-0). New Jersey occupies the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

Hall extended his point streak to 11 games (7-7—14) and has recorded at least one point in 18 consecutive appearances dating to Jan. 2 (12-14—26), the longest such run in Devils franchise history.

Nico Hischier, the first overall selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, scored for the fourth consecutive game (4-3—7). Hischier became the fifth rookie in Devils franchise history to score at least one goal in four or more consecutive team games.

McDAVID (HAT TRICK) HELPS OILERS SNAP AVALANCHE’S HOME WIN STREAK

Connor McDavid (3-0—3) scored his third hat trick of the season (fourth career) to help the Oilers snap the Avalanche’s home win streak at 10 games. Colorado’s 10-game run was tied for the longest home win streak in franchise history, a mark set by the Quebec Nordiques in 1983-84 and matched in 1994-95.

McDavid is tied for third in the NHL with 26-43—69 this season (58 GP) and joined Washington’s Alex Ovechkin as the only players to record three hat tricks in 2017-18. McDavid became the first Oilers player to score three hat tricks in a season since Petr Klima in 1990-91.

NEW JERSEY DEVILS’ WOODS SUSPENDED TWO GAMES

New Jersey Devils forward Miles Wood has been suspended for two games, without pay, for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vladislav Namestnikov during NHL Game No. 898 in Tampa on Saturday, Feb. 17. The incident occurred at 4:54 of the second period. Wood was assessed minor penalties for boarding and roughing on the play. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Wood will forfeit $9,946.24. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

NHL Schedule for Monday Feb 19 2018

Matchup	Time
Minnesota@ NY Islanders	1:00 PM ET
Washington@ Buffalo	3:00 PM ET
Boston@ Calgary	4:00 PM ET
Ottawa@ Nashville	8:00 PM ET
Los Angeles@ Chicago	8:30 PM ET
Anaheim@ Vegas	10:00 PM ET