The Chicago Blackhawks’ winning streak was snapped, but they at least earned one point in a 4-3 overtime defeat to the New Jersey Devils at the United Center on Wednesday night. The Blackhawks weren’t at their best in their return home, but they remained competitive throughout and received a hard-earned point against the top team in the Eastern Conference.
Also in Blackhawks news, “The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky, pushed for Connor Bedard to be part of Team Canada’s Olympic roster in February, while a Devils’ defenseman was fined by the Department of Player Safety for a brutal boarding penalty on Tyler Bertuzzi.
Then, Roman Kantserov added to his KHL lead in goals to cap off a victory for Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
Around the league, Matvei Michkov is starting to heat up for the Flyers, Auston Matthews is slated to miss some time for the Maple Leafs, and the Tkachuk brothers have launched their own podcast.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Tidbits
Chicago Hockey Now: The Blackhawks were without Andre Burakovsky, Jason Dickinson, and Frank Nazar on Wednesday, and their absences were felt in a lowly offensive performance against New Jersey. Still, Chicago managed to earn a point with an overtime loss, while Connor Bedard extended his point streak to nine games, which ties a career high. Here’s the recap from the Blackhawks‘ frustrating, yet also somewhat encouraging, loss in their return home.
More CHN: Devils’ defenseman Brenden Dillon was out for blood last night. After crunching Bedard early in the game, Dillon then laid a gnarly hit on Tyler Bertuzzi into the boards, and he threw an elbow up high during the sequence. Not only was Dillon rightfully taken to the penalty box for boarding, but he was also fined by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.
More CHN: ICYMI, Wayne Gretzky thinks Connor Bedard has been “earning his way onto Team Canada” with an electric start to his third NHL season. Gretzky and the rest of the NHL on TNT panel discussed Bedard’s chances of cracking an Olympic roster spot ahead of Wednesday’s game.
In prospects news, Roman Kantserov scored the empty-netter to seal a win for Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Wednesday. Kantserov now has a league-leading 17 goals on the season and sits in second with 29 points through 26 games.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
Sportnet: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews took a hit from behind by Boston Bruins defenseman Nikita Zadorov in the second period on Tuesday and didn’t return for the remainder of the game. According to head coach Craig Berube, who wasn’t pleased with the hit, Matthews is set to miss a couple of contests. The Maple Leafs come to Chicago for a matchup against the Blackhawks on Saturday night.
The Athletic: A fun read from Fluto Shinzawa. Many NHL players around the league play with missing teeth. But why don’t they fix them?
Forever Blueshirts: In a surprise move on Wednesday, the New York Rangers signed 30-year-old goaltender Spencer Martin to a two-year contract. The signing comes just one day after Martin’s KHL contract was terminated by CSKA Moscow.
New Jersey Hockey Now: From the New Jersey Devils‘ side of things on Wednesday night in Chicago, Simon Nemec had a career night, becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to record a hat trick and score the OT goal in the same game. Nemec was responisble for three of the Devils’ four goals at the United Center.
Colorado Hockey Now: The Colorado Avalanche currently lead the Western Conference with 27 points, but they’re about to be without a key forward for some time. Valeri Nichuskin, who has 12 points in 17 games, exited Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks early and did not return. Avalanche coach Jared Bednar confirmed that Nichuskin is out, but he’s not entirely sure of how long.
Philadelphia Hockey Now: Tough break for the Philadelphia Flyers. They had a late goal overturned on Wednesday night and ended up losing 2-1 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. On the bright side, Matvei Michkov found the back of the net for the third straight game.
Florida Hockey Now: While both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk are banged up with injuries, they two brothers decided to start their own podcast, titled “Wingmen”. Matthew, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, is slated to begin skating again soon.
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