Things haven’t been this bad in Leaf Land since 1984-85, the referees in the Capitals-Penguins game don’t know what a slash is, the Stars captain shone despite being without his right-hand man, it’s not all doom and gloom for the Devils franchise, and the Predators can do no wrong.
Here are five things we learned Tuesday in the NHL.
Panthers don’t need Kessel
For a team that averages just 2.36 goals per game and has one of the worst power plays in the NHL, the Florida Panthers and their two power-play goals didn’t seem to have much trouble getting past the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre Tuesday.
These two teams have been in the headlines together in recent days after trade reports surfaced indicating the Panthers were interested acquiring Phil Kessel. While the Panthers do wish to add a scoring winger and Kessel fits that mould to a T – he scored his 22nd of the season on a sweet shot in the third period – Panthers GM Dale Tallon said prior to the game he’s not pursuing Phil the Thrill. The Panthers currently sit just two points out of a playoff spot in the East and adding Kessel at this stage wouldn’t necessarily be the best move. The Panthers didn’t need him Tuesday and Tallon doesn’t feel they need him going forward.
Ovi brings the noise
You can never accuse Alex Ovechkin of being quiet on or off the ice. Whether it’s chirping Ryan Getzlaf’s hairline or wreaking havoc on opposing teams, the Great 8 has been en fuego in 2015. His 37th goal of the season helped lead his Washington Capitals to a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but that’s not what made his performance stand out.
Benn does something Datsyuk still hasn’t done
Jamie Benn accomplished something Tuesday that Pavel Datsyuk has still yet to accomplish – he scored his first regular season hat trick. Benn extended his point streak to four games as he blasted three pucks home in a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. All the more impressive is the fact he did it without linemate Tyler Seguin, who’s out the next three to six weeks. Seguin would’ve loved to be on the ice celebrating with Benn, but since he couldn’t he celebrated the next best way… via Twitter.
Schneider is unreal at home
His 10-7-5 record at the Prudential Center isn’t anything to shake a stick at, but when you look what Cory Schneider has been able to do for New Jersey this season, it has to give Devils fans hope for the future. Heading into Tuesday’s action the 28-year-old had a .931 save percentage and 1.87 goals-against average at home. Those numbers only got better after he stopped 24 of 25 shots in a 2-1 Devils shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Preds are loving life right now
Pekka Rinne was a man possessed for the Nashville Predators Tuesday as he made 42 saves in a 5-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. Rinne has won five straight and 11 of his last 12 starts. The Preds — who were without newly acquired players Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli due to visa issues — extended their win streak to six to put them six points up on the Canadiens and Blues in the Presidents’ Trophy race.