NHL News: McDavid, Ovechkin, and Crosby all shine in OT, COVID postponements mount, and more
Anthony Scultore
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The NHL biggest stars shined brightest last night as they made their mark in overtime. Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, and Connor McDavid propelled their teams to victory in spectacular fashion.
NHL Scores: Superstar captains lead the way
Sidney Crosby continues to show why age is just a number and there is still no slow down in his game. The 33 year-old pivot only picked up one point but it came at the game’s most important moment as the Penguins (5-3-1) downed the Rangers (2-4-2) 5-4 in OT.
Next up, Alex Ovechkin finally returned to the lineup after a 4 game stint on the NHL’s COVID Protocol List. The Capitals (6-0-3) went on to defeat the Bruins (5-1-2) in OT 4-3. The Caps captain had a goal and an assist in his return and proved once again why he may have the greatest shot in the history of the game.
“Yeah, it was fun,” Ovechkin said after tying Mike Gartner for 7th all-time in goals. “It was interesting to see how I’m going to feel through the morning skate, from warmup before the game and in the game overall. We take it and move forward.”
Finally, Connor “the human highlight reel” McDavid just continues to amaze. He already had a goal and an assist coming into the extra session before adding his third point on the OT winner. It helped the Oilers (4-6) beat the Leafs (7-2-1) for a final score of 4-3.
NHL Scores: A night filled with action
The NHL had a full slate with 12 games in total. In Montreal, the Flames (3-3-1) shutout the Canadiens (5-1-2) and handed them their first regulation of the season. It looks like the closed door meeting the players held worked.
The Hurricanes (4-1) handed the Stars (4-1) their first loss this season with a 4-1 win. Meanwhile, the Panthers (4-0-1) still have not lost in regulation as they beat the Red Wings (2-5-2) 3-2 in OT.
Here’s the remaining games:
- Blues (5-2-1) down the Ducks (3-4-2) 6-1
- Sabres (4-3-2) edge the Devils (3-3-2) in a shootout 4-3
- Flyers (6-2-1) take out the Islanders (3-4-1) 3-2 in OT
- Lightning (4-1-1) knock off the Predators (4-4) 4-3
- Avalanches (6-3) beat the Wild (5-4) 5-1
- Canucks (6-5) ground the Jets (5-3) 4-1
NHL has no real plan for COVID postponements
Last night on Sportsnet’s Saturday Headlines, Chris Johnston noted that the NHL has a buffer at the end of the season to deal with postponed games.
However, as the postponements mount, will a small two-week window really be the answer? And how fair is that to team’s that will either be sitting idle or overworked before the playoffs begin?
Many suggest, although not official that the NHL may decide final standings on point percentage if they can’t complete the season for all 31 teams.