The Calgary Flames won on the road yet again, Kyle Turris received a heartwarming ovation in his return to Ottawa, and the Dallas Stars extended the Chicago Blackhawks’ home woes.
Here are three things we learned in the NHL.
The Flames are still loving life away from home
With a 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, the Calgary Flames are now unbeaten in their last seven road contests, with six wins in regulation and one overtime loss.
It was the perfect gift for right winger Michael Frolik, who was making his 700th NHL appearance. The 29-year-old from the Czech Republic has recorded 135 goals and 193 assists for his career. He would have reached the landmark even sooner if not for breaking his jaw on Dec. 28, which forced him to miss an entire month of action.
Backup goaltender David Rittich was instrumental throughout, making 30 saves in the victory including 11 of 12 in the third period. The win also improves them to 15-5-5 away from the Saddledome.
The Sens miss Turris, they really do
The NHL is a business, and if money weren’t a factor, it’s probable Kyle Turris is still a member of the Ottawa Senators.
After seven years of putting in work for the nation’s capital, the Senators organization and its fans reminded Turris of what it’s like to be one of them with a classy tribute.
Money talks, though, and as the Sens and the 28-year-old centre struggled to come to terms on an extension, they did what they had to and sent him to the Nashville Predators as part of a three-way deal that netted them Matt Duchene.
Even though Ottawa came away with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory on Thursday night, Nashville is still standing strong at 24-8-6 since the trade, while the Sens are just 19-25-9.
Turris had five goals and 13 assists in his first 17 games with the Predators but only has two goals and three assists in his last 21.
Home’s not so sweet for Chicago right now
The Dallas Stars went into what now seems to be the friendly confines of the United Center and handed the Chicago Blackhawks their sixth straight home loss.
Tyler Seguin continued his hot stretch with two goals to extend his point streak to four games. After tipping Alexander Radulov’s backhand pass for his first, Seguin settled the scoring with an empty-netter in the final minute.
The Stars are streaking on the road, having gone 5-0-1 over their past six road games, but now have to return home to face the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Blackhawks will be relieved to hit the road on Saturday, when they begin a three-game road trip in Minnesota.
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