NHL Scores: Alex Ovechkin scores 717, Sidney Crosby paces Penguins, Flames winning under Darryl Sutter, and more
Anthony Scultore
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The All-Time goals chase is back on as Alex Ovechkin is starting to heat up. I may have written him off not to long ago, but if he can reach close to the 30 goal mark this season he’s definitely got a chance.
Ovechkin’s goal ties Phil Esposito for 6th all time at 717.
NHL Scores: Alex Ovechkin ties Phil Esposito for #6 All Time
A pessimist would note that Ovechkin scored only one of the many goals last night as the Capitals destroyed the Sabres 6-0. However, he now has goals in back to back games for 11 on the season.
While his teammates and head coach gushed over his incredible climb up the goal scoring leader board, Ovechkin was very even keel. “Obviously, it’s nice to be in this company,” he said. “I just do what I have to do. I try to use my chances and move on.”
NHL Scores: Sidney Crosby paces Penguins over Bruins, Flyers take down Rangers in OT
The Penguins defeated the Bruins 4-1 and continue to keep pace with the Islanders and Capitals. Sidney Crosby led the offense with a goal (11) and two assists. For Boston they threw 43 shots on net but Trisan Jarry turned aside all but one. They have now lost four of their last five.
Evgeni Malkin also tallied a power play goal for his 1100th career point. He now has 12 points in his last eight games to help Pittsburgh as they’ve won six in a row.
Three Rangers were added to the COVID protocol list leading up to the game at MSG. Phil DiGiuseepe, Pavel Buchnevich, and Adam Fox were unable to play with the latter two being sorely missed as the Flyers beat them 5-4.
Artemi Panarin was masterful with the puck and picked up a goal and two assists. He now has four points in two games since he returned from his leave. However, Jakub Voracek scored the OT winner to give the Flyers the much needed extra point and increase their lead over the Rangers by five points.
NHL Scores: Central Division see-saw now has Panthers in first place
Aleksander Barkov broke the deadlock in the third period shorthanded for his 12th of the season and the Panthers didn’t look back. “He’s definitely a special player,” winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said of his teammate. “I think he’s the best player in the world. He does so many things behind that nobody can see. He’s so valuable for us.”
The Panthers defeated the Blackhawks 6-3 with Aaron Ekblad notching his 10th goal of the season. Florida also got some help from the schedule as the Hurricanes were not in action and from Nashville.
The Predators stunned the Lightning last night with their 4-1 win thanks to Pekka Rinne’s 38 saves and Victor Arvidsson’s game winning goal. That allowed the Panthers to leap into sole possession first over the Hurricanes by one point.
NHL Scores: Darryl Sutter has the Flames winning
Darryl Sutter has won three straight with the Flames since taking over and getting them back into the playoff mix. They are two points behind Montreal for fourth place. Noah Hanifin broke the tie in the third period to give them a 4-3 win over the Oilers.
“With Darryl coming in and stuff, we’ve rebounded pretty well and put together a few big games,” Hanifin said after the win. “It’s nice to see we’re playing the right way too.”
Meanwhile the Canucks got an OT winner by J.T. Miller to defeat the Senators 3-2. The Canadiens defeated the Jets 4-2 with Tyler Toffoli scoring twice (16,17).
Finally, the only game in the West saw Marc-Andre Fleury hold back the Sharks as the Golden Knights win it 2-1.