That’s a wrap on an 11-game Tuesday! #NHLStats: https://t.co/c50qPsbMBw pic.twitter.com/L3QZZtwrCf
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 20, 2023
1. Jacques Martin loses Sens’ first game at the helm
Yesterday, the team’s new head coach, Jacques Martin, played his first game at the helm. And it started well.
But…
Arizona didn’t give up, scoring three unanswered goals to tie the game.
Yotes rally back with 3 unanswered to tie it up pic.twitter.com/tHrpNB5UkN
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 20, 2023
The Coyotes comback is complete!
Arizona secured the win after being down by three early in the game! pic.twitter.com/Hv23clj9iO
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
Maybe they can’t work miracles either…
Leafs celebrate John Tavares’ 1,000th point ahead of their game tonight pic.twitter.com/3d1x0uz1w2
– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 20, 2023
He’s on course to score 72.
Auston Matthews current goal pace: 72
At that pace, he would end the season with 371 goals in his career, 134th in NHL history.
That would be above:
– Jason Spezza
– Bobby Clarke
– Henri Richard
– Henrik Zetterberg
– Bernie Federko
– Wendel ClarkBy the end of next season,… pic.twitter.com/i26TJkkJfM
– Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) December 20, 2023
Matthews also has as many games of two goals or more as the CH’s leading scorer (Sean Monahan) has nets.
Here are the center’s two goals last night:
That’s the League-leading 24th goal of the season for Auston Matthews(@AM34)! pic.twitter.com/CooVO01FEb
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
Matthews has both goals for Toronto pic.twitter.com/kXwLLB6YYL
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 20, 2023
3. Even at “50”, Marc-André Fleury continues to dominate
Marc-André Fleury may not have been in front of the net in Pittsburgh, but he was last night in Boston.
It was his 997th NHL game, and let’s just say he had a lot of energy for this duel.
Weeeeee pic.twitter.com/UJMND97zEQ
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
KIRILL CALLS GAME
The Wild secure the victory in Boston following Kaprizov’s @SUBWAYCanada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/KwYEkHfRPA
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
At intermission, Fleury’s teammate mocked him, calling him a 50-year-old.
“For him to do this at 50 is special”
Brandon Duhaime chirping Marc-Andre Fleury at intermission pic.twitter.com/Vovbb2zAUH
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 20, 2023
Since the change of coach, the good mood seems to have returned to the Wild’s room.
Many thought they’d finish bottom of the standings, but as of December 20, they’re in second place in the Metropolitan Section.
OT IN OT
Owen Tippett steals the puck and collects the @Energizer overtime winner for the @NHLFlyers! pic.twitter.com/CS7XzX4qg2
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
In their last nine games, John Tortorella’s team is 7-0-2.
They haven’t lost in regulation time since November 28 against the Carolina Hurricanes.
5. Buffalo fans demand coach’s departure
Marchenko through the legs! pic.twitter.com/4OMQ0chQti
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2023
“Fire Donny” chants ringing through KeyBank Center.
– The Charging Buffalo (@TheChargingBUF) December 20, 2023
Extension
– Another Brady Tkachuk fight.
Brady Tkachuk vs Matt Dumba pic.twitter.com/xo5AydDXFn
– NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 20, 2023
– 16 straight games with at least one point for Nathan MacKinnon.
Nathan MacKinnon extended his point streak to 16 games with an assist on this goal by Valeri Nichushkin!
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/ecHgEvW0x3
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
– Alex Ovechkin has five goals this season.
Simon Holmstrom has FIVE shorthanded goals this season.
: @ESPNPlus https://t.co/FmPv8M6v1l pic.twitter.com/2ed1d2oiec
– NHL (@NHL) December 20, 2023
– Several three-point players.
– A quieter night in the NHL.