With only six games on the schedule, one would think Monday would be a relatively quiet night in the NHL, but that certainly wasn’t the case.
From the Toronto Maple Leafs’ nearly record-setting scoreless drought to a couple of beauty plays, and one rare fight, it was a memorable night. Here are the things we learned Monday in the NHL.
History in the making: The Toronto Maple Leafs came close to joining an exclusive club that includes the Kansas City Scouts.
Nazem Kadri scored with about five minutes left in the third period to avoid joining the 1975-76 Scouts, but even with the franchise’s 100th birthday just around the corner the Maple Leafs continue to set records, just not the ones you want.
Not surprisingly, some fans were a little upset about the team’s performance and resorted to throwing $150 on the ice.
Ex-Leaf finds the net: While Toronto can’t score a lick, ex-Leaf Nikolay Kulemin was able to pot two goals Monday, and grabbed an assist, including this beauty.
More importantly, with the New York Islanders’ victory over the Flyers on Monday, they guaranteed themselves the top spot in the Metropolitan Division heading into the all-star break. The Penguins trail by five points, and even if they win their two remaining games before the break, the Islanders will still be top dog.
Oh so close: Ryan Miller was excellent yet again, and came just 2:32 away from his third-straight shutout. However, he did set a Canucks record, so all wasn’t loss.
Miller, however, hardly seems bothered by the late goal.
Brotherly love: Eric Staal is one big dude, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing in at 205 pounds. However, he rarely fights… unless his brother gets completely decked.
Eric hadn’t gotten in a fight since facing Jeff Halpern nine years ago in his sophomore campaign. Then, at the end of the game, Staal may have put a little extra mustard on a shot aimed at the Leafs’ empty net while Phaneuf happened to be standing near by.
Two of the best tête-à-tête: What happens when two of the NHL’s best meet on a one-on-one penalty shot?
Minnesota’s Zach Parise had not one, but two glorious breakaway chances on Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who just signed a four-year contract extension, including this penalty shot midway through the second period. See who emerges victorious in the end.