If you watched the NHL on Friday night, you probably spent an unusual amount of time on the couch as eight (!!!) games went to overtime.
Meanwhile, Shayne Gostisbehere scored his second GWG in only his ninth NHL game, Barry Trotz jumped into 10th place for most games coached with his 1300th, and Patrick Kane nearly missed extending his point streak.
Here are five things we learned in the NHL Friday.
1. Patrick Kane extends point streak, makes history
It didn’t look good for Kane and the Blackhawks late in their game against the Ducks. Anaheim led 2-0 and Kane’s 17-game point streak was on the line.
It only took 1:14 to change all that.
With just 26.6 seconds left, the Hawks tied the game and Kane assisted on Duncan Keith’s goal to tie Eddie Olczyk and Phil Kessel for the longest point streak by an American player.
That’s the kind of loss that must make Bruce Boudreau’s hot collar a little hotter.
2. Everything happened in the Blue Jackets-Penguins game
This rivalry has been brewing since before the playoff series between these two clubs and it made for the best game of the night.
Brandon Dubinsky made himself a target to Penguins players when he cross-checked Sidney Crosby in the neck. You can’t do that.
It sparked a series of melees and scrums after whistles for virtually the rest of the game. It even got Geno Malkin fired up.
So fired up that he scored the game’s first goal. But it’d be Dubinsky who’d have the last word. The Jackets’ antagonist weaved his way into the Penguins zone in 3-on-3 OT and dished to a wide open Cam Atkinson who won a brutal and hard-fought game for the underdogs, 2-1.
According to CBJ’s graphic artist Anthony Zych, they now sit at the same (American) Thanksgiving table.
3. Markov in good company
Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban have been absolute staples on the Canadiens’ blue line for years – and before that, Markov and Mark Streit similarly dominated offensively and on the power play.
Friday night, the Russian offensive dynamo joined some elite company within the franchise.
Markov’s assist helped tie the game for Montreal, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win in a shootout. Goaltender Mike Condon stood in for the re-injured Carey Price and the Habs held on to first place in the NHL.
4. Roberto Luongo passes Glenn Hall in wins despite nightmare shootout
With the Florida Panthers’ victory Friday night, Luongo surpassed the legendary Glenn Hall in career wins.
He and his counterpart Jaroslav Halak just had to allow a bunch of shootout goals first.
A whole bunch.
5. Hellebuyck wins in NHL debut, making case for World Cup
It’s one thing for an NHL skater to score in his first game (whatever, Mario) but for a young goalie to stand strong for his first full 60 minutes and come out on top is a truly impressive feat.
Connor Hellebuyck (don’t ask me for the pronunciation) and the Winnipeg Jets held off the Minnesota Wild Friday for a 3-1 victory, helping … Connor … celebrate a win in his NHL debut. Though he only had to make 14 saves, seeing so little action can actually make staying focused even harder. Just ask Martin Brodeur about that.
Another under-24 goaltender in Anaheim’s John Gibson played Friday — two backstops who are likely on the short list to make Team North America at next year’s World Cup.
Way to go, kid.