One of Calgary’s top scorers didn’t let an all-star omission affect him, there was an unusual producer in Buffalo and the Capitals finally faltered at home.
Here are three things we learned in the NHL on Thursday night.
[snippet id=3803149]
Monahan defies all-star snub
There are always snubs when the all-star game rosters are revealed.
One of the more notable ones in the Pacific Division this year was Calgary Flames forward Sean Monahan, who had 20 goals and 19 assists entering Thursday’s game against Tampa Bay. He added an assist on Micheal Ferland’s first-period goal as the Flames downed the Lightning 5-1 for their fifth straight win.
Johnny Gaudreau, who also assisted on Ferland’s goal before adding one of his own, is the lone representative for Calgary at the all-star game.
Sportsnet’s Emily Sadler put together a list of players who, like Monahan, were snubbed out of the matchup on Jan. 28 in Tampa, Fla.
[snippet id=3816507]
Pouliot continues career bounce-back
Benoit Pouliot ended his time last season with the Edmonton Oilers on bad terms. He was often a healthy scratch, wasn’t producing and was eventually bought out of his contract.
But the 31-year-old has bounced back in 2017-18 and eclipsed his goal total from last year on Thursday with a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Pouliot’s first-period goal was his ninth of the season. He managed just eight goals and six assists through 67 games last year, but has 12 points in 42 games already this season.
Although they’re not all-star numbers, Pouliot’s production is slightly above expectations for a Sabres team that signed him to a one-year, $1.15-million deal on July 1.
Capitals finally lose at home
It’s been 1 1/2 months, but finally the Washington Capitals have lost at home.
Victor Rask scored the winner as the Carolina Hurricanes beat Washington 3-1 to snap the Caps’ 11-game home winning streak. Washington hadn’t lost at Capital One Arena since Nov. 30.
The Capitals are 18-6-0 at home this year, and despite key departures in the off-season, have still maintained the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Carolina’s victory came just hours after Dallas billionaire Tom Dundon finalized a deal to purchase the Hurricanes from former majority owner Peter Karmanos.
[relatedlinks]
