Top 5: 13 penalties in the same sequence in the Florida battle

Mathis Therrien
Top 5: 13 penalties in the same sequence in the Florida battle
Credit: Twitter screenshot

National Hockey League hockey was back in action yesterday, with the first full day of games after the Christmas break.

A total of 13 games were on the schedule, giving us plenty of action to keep an eye on.

Here's a rundown of the highlights.

1. Referees kept busy in Florida

It was a crazy game in Florida yesterday, as the referees had their hands full in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers.

Late in the second period, a free-for-all broke out in the Panthers' defensive zone, resulting in 13 penalties on the same play.

Yes, yes, you read that right, 13 penalties, and here they are.

In short, it was a completely crazy scene, which gave us some incredible images, where we got to see five Lightning players in the penalty box at the same time.

2. The touching saxophone national anthem

The New York teams faced off on Long Island yesterday, and it was the Islanders who came out on top, 2-0.

However, that's not really what caught the eye, as it was the pre-match performance that made the rounds on social networks.

The American national anthem was played on the saxophone by 104-year-old World War II veteran Dominick Critelli, giving us a very moving scene.

A very touching moment.

3. Eighth straight win for Buffalo's Sabres

After another tough start to the season, the Sabres, who were warming up in last place in the Eastern Conference for a while, are now on the brink of the playoffs.

The Sabres have come back in the standings in recent weeks thanks to a long winning streak that extended to eight yesterday, as Buffalo defeated the Boston Bruins 4-1.

It's an incredible sequence that leaves the Sabres tied at 42 points with the Florida Panthers for the final playoff spot.

Buffalo is also just three points behind the Montreal Canadiens, with the same number of games played.

In short, the Sabres are back in the hunt, and could finally end their dreadful 14-year playoff drought.

4. A tough Ontario battle

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a tough first half of the season at the moment, but things aren't much better for the Ottawa Senators.

Last night, the two teams faced off in Toronto, and what a game of hockey it was, with the Leafs winning 7-5.

Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Max Domi each had three points in the game.

It was a feel-good win for Leafs and fans alike, as the Leafs now sit at 39 points in 37 games, three points out of the playoffs.

5. First career hat trick for Alex Laferriere

Things haven't been going so well for the Anaheim Ducks lately, and yesterday they suffered a tough 6-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

In that victory, forward Alex Laferriere scored his first hat trick, netting three of the Kings' six goals.

That's quite a feat for the 24-year-old forward.


Extension

– Marco Rossi's first goal with the Canucks.

– Here are all the results from the previous day.

– Here are yesterday's top scorers.

(Credit: NHL.com)

– Today's NHL schedule: five games.

(Credit: Google/NHL)
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