The Sharks are getting some solid goaltending, Toronto’s fourth line dominated and a weird sequence occurred involving a concussion spotter.
Here are three things we learned in the NHL on Monday night.
Jones continues solid play for Sharks
San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones is finding his groove after a relatively slow start to the season.
After giving up four goals in each of his first two games — both losses — Jones has won his last last four appearances while giving up two goals or less in all four of them.
The 27-year-old made 33 saves to lead San Jose past the New York Rangers 4-1 on Monday. Jones is now 4-2 with a 2.35 goals-against average and .926 save percentage this season.
The North Vancouver, B.C., native has continued to prove his worth as a No. 1 starter since coming over from the Los Angeles Kings prior to the 2015-16 season.
Meanwhile, the rough times continue for the Rangers, who dropped to 2-6-2 on the year.
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Martin does it all for Maple Leafs
Matt Martin did a little bit of everything for the Toronto Maple Leafs in their 3-2 win over the Kings.
The physical forward took exception to a big open-ice hit on teammate Dominic Moore early in the first period near the penalty box and scuffled with Andy Andreoff before receiving a minor penalty for roughing.
Just a few minutes after getting out of the box, Martin planted himself in front of Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick before tipping home a Roman Polak point shot for his first goal of the season. The point was the 99th of Martin’s career.
(Side note: It was Polak’s first point, in his first game, since signing a one-year, $1.1-million contract on Sunday. He broke his leg during Game 2 of the Leafs’ first-round playoff series against the Washington Capitals last season.)
Martin returned to the rough stuff in the second period, fighting Christian Folin. However, he came just short of the Gordie Howe hat trick by failing to record an assist.
Quick’s quick concussion test, or lack thereof
Jonathan Quick raised a few eyebrows when he reluctantly left — although only for a few seconds — late in the first period to supposedly get checked out by a concussion spotter.
Teammate Derek Forbort accidentally hit Quick in the head as he was tangled up with Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman in front of the Kings net. An odd sequence of events then took place after the next whistle.
Quick was back in the net after just a 36-second break despite there being just over a minute left in the period.
Kings coach John Stevens confirmed after the game that Quick didn’t in fact go through concussion testing.
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