High participant within the NHL on Saturday
Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
There may be not a workforce within the league with a greater offense this season the Florida Panthers, and when they’re on their sport there may be not anyone even near them. In addition they are by no means out of a sport due to that offense. We noticed all of that on Saturday afternoon as they erased a four-goal third interval deficit to rally for a 7-6 extra time win towards the New Jersey Devils. Aleksander Barkov scored the Panthers’ fifth and sixth objectives within the last 5 minutes to ship the sport to extra time, persevering with his sensational season. Jonathan Huberdeau will get the entire MVP speak right here, however Barkov is the man that actually makes this workforce run. The Panthers are averaging nicely over 4 objectives per sport this season, the very best single season mark by any workforce for the reason that 1995-96 season, and have now scored at the very least seven objectives in a sport seven instances this season. They’ve scored at the very least six objectives 14 completely different instances and at the very least 5 objectives 27 completely different instances. Simply an unbelievable offensive hockey workforce right here.
Highlights from across the NHL on Saturday
Nathan Walker‘s goal puts the the St. Louis Blues ahead of the Calgary Flames for the game-winning goal in their 6-4 win.
Jason Robertson beats the buzzer to continue his magnificent season to help the Dallas Stars built a 4-1 lead through the first period against the San Jose Sharks.
Nick Suzuki helps the Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in the shootout.
Three takeaways from the NHL on Saturday
Penguins-Avalanche was incredible
If by some chance we can see this matchup as a seven-game series in the Stanley Cup Final the hockey world should be very, very, very happy. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche played a thrilling game on Saturday afternoon that saw the Avalanche get a 3-2 win thanks to a late Devon Toews goal that came just 26 seconds after the Penguins tied the game. This game was played at an incredible pace with outstanding goaltending, great scoring chances at both ends of the ice, and an elite level of skill. The two teams play again on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.
Nick Ritchie suspended one game for slashing
Arizona Coyotes forward Jay Beagle avoided suspension for his cross-check and fight at the end of Friday’s sport that angered Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks. All of it stemmed from Zegras’ lacrosse-style purpose and his try to poke at a free puck across the crease late within the sport. However Beagle’s teammate, Nick Ritchie, did get a one-game suspension on Saturday for slashing Geese defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk throughout that sport.
One other massive win for Stars in playoff race
The Dallas Stars prolonged their present successful streak to 4 video games due to a 5-4 win over the San Jose Sharks, serving to to solidify their playoff positioning within the Western Convention Wild Card race. They’ve a lead over the Vegas Golden Knights whereas nonetheless having three video games in hand. Elsewhere within the Western Convention, the Los Angeles Kings had been 3-2 winners over the Winnipeg Jets to solidify their place as a top-three workforce within the Pacific Division.
Sunday’s massive story
All about that Western Convention playoff race because the Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, and Vegas Golden Knights all play on Sunday. All three groups are separated by simply three factors within the standings whereas all three have successful streaks of at the very least three video games or extra (Vegas and Edmonton have each gained three video games in a row; Dallas has gained 4 video games in a row). A Vegas win (towards Vancouver) and Dallas loss in regulation (to Seattle) would quickly soar the Golden Knights again right into a playoff spot (whereas Dallas will nonetheless have these necessary three video games in hand), whereas a Vegas Win and Edmonton loss in regulation (to Anaheim) would shut that hole to only one level for third place within the Pacific Division (whereas Edmonton would have one sport in hand).
Saturday’s NHL Scores
Florida Panthers 7, New Jersey Devils 6 (OT)
Colorado Avalanche 3, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Los Angeles Kings 3, Winnipeg Jets 2
Boston Bruins 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Montreal Canadiens 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 4 (SO)
Toronto Maple Leafs 6, Philadelphia Flyers 3
Minnesota Wild 3, Carolina Hurricanes 1
St. Louis Blues 6, Calgary Flames 4
Dallas Stars 5, San Jose Sharks 4
Extra NHL Information
Keith Yandle’s ironman streak to end at 989 consecutive games played Josi, Shesterkin, more: Top NHL defensemen, goalies so far in 2022 Jack Campbell under enormous pressure as he returns to Maple Leafs
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Adam Gretz is a author for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or observe him on Twitter @AGretz.
NHL Rink Wrap: Barkov leads Panthers rally; Ritchie suspended initially appeared on NBCSports.com
