Carey Price has his day, Jarome Iginla makes a milestone and Tyler Bozak honours a very special fan. Here are five things we learned in the NHL on Saturday.
Montreal makes it
Max Pacioretty scored on a power play in overtime to top the Florida Panthers 3-2 and officially clinch the Montreal Canadiens’ post-season berth. This will be Montreal’s 82nd playoff appearance in franchise history.
The Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators also secured a spot in the playoffs Saturday. Tampa Bay had the opportunity to get in, but came up short as they were shut out by the Detroit Red Wings.
Saturday night belongs to Price
It goes without saying that much of Montreal’s success comes at the golden glove of goaltender Carey Price. (But hey, we’ll say it anyway.) Price has been exceptional all season long, but there’s a clear trend when it comes to his performance. It’s called “Saturday.”
Indeed, the 27-year-old goaltender is pretty much unstoppable when he laces up on hockey’s biggest night of the week.
Here’s one of his primetime-worthy saves:
Bozak nets first career hat trick
The Toronto Maple Leafs edged Craig Anderson and the Ottawa Senators 4-3 on Saturday, and while the game had zero playoff implications for the Maple Leafs, who were officially eliminated from the playoffs a few weeks ago, the game certainly meant something for Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs forward netted his first career hat trick, and there was a very special fan who inspired his trio of goals — 11-year-old Garrett Gamble Jr., who signed a one-day contract with the Leafs as part of a Children’s Wish Foundation initiative.
In the end, it was Eric Brewer who scored the game-winner in overtime (assisted by Bozak) to put a bit of dent in the Senators’ campaign for the playoffs. (They’re now one point behind the wild card-holding Boston Bruins.)
Iginla meets a milestone
Jarome Iginla added another milestone to his already-impressive career. The 37-year-old recorded three assists in the Avalanche’s 5-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, upping his point total to 1,222 and pushing him past Montreal Canadiens legend Jean Beliveau (1,219) for 40th on the NHL’s all-time career points list.
Koivu makes Wild history
Speaking of milestones, the Minnesota Wild’s Mikko Koivu earned one of his own. Koivu had two goals and an assist as the Wild snapped the the LA Kings’ three-game win streak 4-1.
The Wild are now holding on to third place in the Central division.
