Number one in NHL Notes today: After an in-person, zoom hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety Friday afternoon Washington Capitals winger Tom Wilson was suspended six games for this high stick on Toronto’s Noah Gregor.
NHL Notes Headline
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It happened at 12:15 of the third period of the Maple Leafs’ 7-3 win at Capital One Arena in Washington on Wednesday night. Wilson received a double minor penalty for high-sticking. But, let’s make no mistake here, it looks intentional. Wilson is no stranger to the Department of Player Safety, in fact, he should have a desk in that office. This is his sixth career suspension, and this one isn’t even his worst infraction. He got a 20-game suspension in 2018 after a brutal hit to the head of the Blues’ Oskar Sundqvist. On appeal, his penalty was dropped to 14 games.
NHL Notes: Stanley Cup Playoff Countdown Begins
Number two in NHL Notes: Wilson’s Washington Capitals are just one point out of a playoff spot with 13 games to play. The Islanders (5 points back) and the Devils (6 points back) still have an outside chance. Sonny Milano scored his first NHL hat trick to help the Washington Capitals win a 7-6 shootout against the Carolina Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on Friday. The Canes (+700) are one of the top three teams with the best odds to win the Stanley Cup.
NHL Notes: The Ovechkin Watch
Number three in NHL Notes: As usual Capitals fans have an eye on Alex Ovechkin. He is now just 49 goals short of Wayne Gretzky’s career record after a goal in that game against Carolina. The Great One’s record of 894 goals has stood for the last 30 seasons, and at one point seemed unbreakable. The chances of him catching the great one are slim. Ovechkin will turn 39 before next season starts, and has just 24 goals this season after netting 42 last year.
NHL Notes: Putting Up Points
Some big nights for the NHL’s biggest stars: Artemi Panarin had back-to-back goals in the second period and an empty-net goal in the third for the seventh hat trick of his career Thursday night. Brayden Point scored two goals, his 39th and 40th of the year, and Nikita Kucherov had four assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1. In Edmonton, Zach Hyman continues his career year with two goals to hit 48 on the season. Connor McDavid had four assists as the Oilers beat Buffalo 8-3. Here are the NHL Scoring Leaders:
Points:
1. Nikita Kucherov | 122 |
2. Nathan MacKinnon | 119 |
3. Connor McDavid | 112 |
4. David Pastrnak | 99 |
Goals:
1. Auston Matthews | 57 |
T2. Sam Reinhart | 48 |
T2.Zach Hyman | 48 |
4. David Pastrnak | 44 |
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