Top-4 : Quite a game for Alexis Lafrenière against the Blue Jackets

Five matchups were showcased on Sunday in the NHL, including that of the Montreal Canadiens.

The Canadiens fell by a score of 5-2 at the Bell Centre…

Let’s see what else happened around the league on this not-so-busy day.

1 : Alexis Lafrenière is enjoying good times

We need to talk about Alexis Lafrenière’s start to the season.

The first overall pick in the 2020 draft was at the center of several criticisms during training camp, as he was being described as a player who looked like an invitee.

He had a slow start to the season, scoring one goal in his first four games… But he has brilliantly caught up since, tallying ten points in his last ten games.

The Quebecer had fun last night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He scored two goals in his team’s victory, including this one:

Lafrenière now has scored seven goals since the start of the campaign, which ranks him first among players drafted in 2020 in this category.

Oh yes…

I almost forgot. Alexis Lafrenière also secured the victory for the Blue Shirts in the shootout with a simply magical goal:

ALEXIS LAFRENIÈRE.
SHOOTOUT WINNER.

pic.twitter.com/ap6rRrYPSU

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) November 13, 2023

He’s doing well these days and that’s a good thing. As they say, patience is key with the youngsters… #Slafkovsky

2 : Connor Bedard is incredible

We all knew he was going to be good. That said…

Connor Bedard is proving to everyone that he deserved to be selected first overall in the last NHL draft.

The Blackhawks were in Florida yesterday to face the Panthers and Bedsy once again worked his magic. He scored two goals, bringing his total to nine since the start of the season (in 13 games)…

A truly exceptional output for an 18-year-old making his first steps in the pros.

His goal-scoring talent is undeniable, as seen in the following sequence:

CONNOR BEDARD

The kid’s got six goals in his last six games!

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/cs8UvVsTwj

— NHL (@NHL) November 12, 2023

Not all players can pull off maneuvers like this one.

I liked his celebration, by the way. He got a bit cocky by deciding to look at the Panthers fans, hehe. With what he’s been doing since the start of the season, he has the right to tease his opponents a little… 

3 : The young Ducks keep having fun

The Anaheim Ducks have been surprising many so far this season. Why do I say that?

Because the team has a record of 8-6-0 after 14 games. We expected the team to face some difficulties at the start of the season because we’re talking about a very young squad…

But precisely, the young Ducks are having very good moments.

The Ducks faced the San Jose Sharks last night and Mason McTavish put on a show by scoring a superb goal.

He took advantage of a nice pass from Leo Carlsson, who is also having a good time, to quickly shoot at the net:

Mac-T

Sweet feed from Leo and it’s 3-1. pic.twitter.com/Ptlh8nZC9l

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) November 13, 2023

Unsurprisingly, the Ducks were able to secure the W, and in the victory, Frank Vatrano continued his good streak.

The left winger scored twice, giving him (already) eleven goals in 23-24.

Vatrano scored 22 goals in 81 games last season. Let’s just say he’s off to a good start…

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A shared post by RDS (@rds)

4 : A fine moment for Ivan Miroshnichenko

Ivan Miroshnichenko won his battle against cancer in 2022 (Hodgkin’s lymphoma).

The player was sidelined for a while and now plays for the Hershey Bears, the AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals.

Last night was the Hockey Fights Cancer night in Hershey…

And the first-round pick (20th overall) in 2022 took the opportunity to treat himself a little.

He scored a beautiful goal… Which led to a fine moment for the young man. Notice how all his teammates seemed genuinely happy for him:

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