NHL Scores: Thatcher Demko beats Leafs again, Mathew Barzal propels Islanders into first, and more
Anthony Scultore
|
If you had the Vancouver Canucks beating the Toronto Maple Leafs twice in a row on your hockey bingo card – you win! But that’s exactly what happened again thanks to Thatcher Demko.
NHL Scores: Canucks beat Leafs, and North Division action
The Canucks (11-15-2) took down the Maple Leafs (18-6-2) by a score of 4-2. Thatcher Demko made 37 saves in this one and a total of 68 stops on 71 Toronto shots. It was a big win for Vancouver with Elias Pettersson day-to-say with an upper-body injury.
“You know when you play a team like that, your goaltender is going to have to make some big saves,” Travis Green said about Demko’s play. Brock Boeser and J.T. Miller led the offense with a goal and two helpers each.
Connor McDavid scored the game winning goal and added two assists for the Oilers (15-11) as they spoiled Darryl Sutter’s coaching debut for the Flames (11-12-2). The Canadiens (11-6-6) wrapped up the North Division action with a 7-1 trouncing of the Jets (15-8-1) with Tyler Toffoli getting his 15th goal of the season.
NHL Scores: Mathew Barzal goes highlight reel, and East Division action
The Islanders (14-6-4) took over sole possession of first place as they beat hapless Sabres (6-13-3) 5-2. If anyone was expecting a Buffalo miracle, they probably haven’t been watching the Sabres play lately. Mathew Barzal tied the game in the second period with a spectacular between the legs deke job that is likely the goal of the year.
“I mean, I’d probably put it in the top two or three of my career,” Barzal said afterwards. “It’s kind of a move that you do instinctual and you kind of just mess around with it in practice and you rarely do it in a game, so it’s a lot of instincts and just kind of being in the moment and just reacting.”
Another New York team is heating up as the Rangers (10-9-3) pummeled the Devils by a 6-3 score. The Blueshirts have now won six of their last eight games and are four points out of 4th place in the East with two games against the Penguins who hold that spot with the Flyers.
Speaking of the Penguins (13-9-1), they got a late goal from the Jared McCann to beat the Flyers (12-6-3). The Rangers and Penguins play a two game set starting tonight.
NHL Scores: Marc-Andre Fleury gets another shutout, and West Division action
It’s almost impossible not to look at the season Marc-Andre Fleury is having and not be impressed. The Golden Knights (16-4-1) easily defeated the Sharks (8-11-3) by a 4-0 margin with MAF getting his league leading 4th shutout of the season and just one behind Patrick Roy (66) for 15th all time.
“I love playing, and I just take it as it goes,” a smiling MAF said after the game. “I thought tonight I felt lots of energy, my legs were good. Some nights, it’s like anybody who goes to the office. Some days you don’t feel as good, and you’ve got to find a way to get the job done. I pride myself on being consistent.”
The Kings (10-8-5) spoiled Vladimir Tarasenko’s return by beating the Blues (14-8-3) in OT 4-3. Los Angeles was down 3-0 and stormed back thanks to Anze Kopitar’s two goals (5,6) and Adrian Kempe’s game winner.
In other West action the Ducks (7-12-6) on a Ryan Getzlaf OT winner beat the Avalanche (13-7-2) 5-4. And the Coyotes (11-10-3) topped the Wild (13-8-1) 5-2.
NHL Scores: Panthers tie for first place with win, and Stars crush Jackets
The Panthers (15-4-4) exploded and routed the Predators (10-14) by a 6-2 score. They are now in a tie for first place with the Lightning. And the Blue Jackets (10-11-5) got crushed by the Stars (7-8-4) 5-0, a game that left John Tortorella displeased.
Enjoy all the goals from yesterday.