NHL Rink Wrap: DeBrusk’s first hat trick; Maple Leafs’ stars deliver

By James O'BrienMar 1, 2022, 7:00 AM EST

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Monday’s top NHL player

Jake DeBrusk, Bruins

Less than a minute into the second period of Bruins – Kings, Jake DeBrusk already recorded his first career hat trick. That also happened to be the first three goals of the game, making it a natural hat trick.

DeBrusk factored into what was a long night (figuratively) for Jonathan Quick, whose start literally got cut short after the Bruins piled two more goals on the Kings. Quick would end up getting the hook with 7:18 remaining in the second period.

Despite a tough overall night, Jonathan Quick made two stupendous saves.

One with his skate:

How?! 🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/GZjIiczhRg

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 1, 2022

The other with his glove:

pic.twitter.com/jDxG08LXOl

— LA Royalty (@LARoyalty1967) March 1, 2022

From Feb. 1-Feb. 17, Jake DeBrusk slogged through a six-game pointless streak. He also only managed an assist over eight games.

This hat trick pushes DeBrusk’s point streak to five games, however. He’s now at 23 points in 48 games, with 14 goals. A night like this might not stop the Bruins from eventually trading DeBrusk, yet if they can’t find a partner, he might just find his groove and give them that crucial secondary scoring.

Jeremy Swayman warrants an honorable mention with 34-save shutout, his third this season. Naturally, in a 7-0 win, other top Bruins scorers feasted against the Kings, too.

Monday NHL highlights

Three NHL games on Monday sets the stage to enjoy full highlights from each one.

Special teams helped the Capitals claw back into their game against the Maple Leafs, but Toronto made enough plays to win (more on that in the takeaways).

Well, maybe future Jack Hughes vs. Quinn Hughes matchups can be a little, uh, closer and more relevant? If not, at least get Luke Hughes involved?

One night shouldn’t discourage Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings too much, but the Bruins sure took it to L.A.

Monday NHL Takeaways

NHL, IIHF react to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Both the IIHF and NHL addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine recently.

The IIHF announced it has banned Russian and Belarusian national teams and clubs from participation “in every age category” and in IIHF competitions “until further notice.” Meanwhile, the NHL released a statement condemning the actions, and also suspended relationships with business partners in Russia.

PHT’s Sean Leahy detailed the IIHF and NHL’s reactions, including which international competitions will be affected.

Follow NBC News for up-to-date coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Marner, Matthews, other key Maple Leafs come through

Could this be the way it works out for Toronto in the postseason? Maybe they just need to win ugly, with their big-money players leading the way.

Consider some of the key factors in the Maple Leafs’ 5-3 over the Capitals.

Add this to Auston Matthews‘ Selke candidate reel

If you pay attention to the nerdy stuff, you may already know this, but Auston Matthews is woefully underrated as a two-way player. You can say similar things about Mitch Marner, though not to the same extreme.

For a wider view, Auston Matthews is almost off the charts on Evolving Hockey’s handy RAPM charts.

NHL Rink Wrap: DeBrusk's first hat trick; Maple Leafs' stars deliver Matthews RAPM — *via Evolving Hockey*

Sometimes people crave a moment to really cement these charts and numbers, though. Auston Matthews likely authored that moment when he saved a goal by the most narrow of margins:

200-foot player.#LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/kwLyhzcGuG

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) March 1, 2022

Actually, you probably need all of the replays here.

And maybe a frame to hammer it home.

Mitch Marner remains red-hot

While Matthews produced the highlight-reel moment of Maple Leafs – Capitals, Mitch Marner made more of a difference on the scoreboard.

Marner collected two assists, collecting his 12th multi-point game in his last 18 contests. He’s scored a ridiculous 35 points in his past 17 games. Overall, Mitch Marner sits at 56 points in 44 games. Over an 82-game season, that would translate to about 104 points.

Marner missed some time this season, but he could still surpass his previous career-high of 94 points. Other than that 2018-19 campaign, Marner’s never scored more than 69 points. That feels like a quirk of COVID-shortened seasons, and he’s well on his way to finishing this season with huge numbers.

Of course, the key is to make sure that he produces (and wins) when it matters the most.

Maybe the John Tavares goal drought talk is tired?

Follow hockey coverage long enough, and you’ll pile up grumbles almost as often as Auston Matthews piles up goals.

One beef that didn’t broil for quite some time: cherry-picking a goal drought without noting overall play. Yes, it’s true that John Tavares hasn’t scored a goal since Jan. 29, a span of 13 games. Mentioning that seems unfair when you realize Tavares generated 10 assists during that 13-game goal drought.

Ideally, you want a top scorer to be a dual threat. Generally, Tavares is still shooting, and he’s facilitating on a high level. Both of his assists from Maple Leafs – Capitals were the sort of alert, hard-working plays that could make a difference in the postseason pressure-cooker.

Tuesday’s big story

Can Wild avenge 7-3 loss to the Flames?

Maybe the Calgary Flames channeled the shock and rage of seeing their 10-game winning streak go up in smoke in a 7-1 loss to the Canucks. Perhaps Calgary’s just this good. Whatever the case may be, the Flames mashed the Wild 7-3 in their last meeting on Saturday.

Now it’s time to see if the Wild will respond.

These are two teams who have really been rising up the West ranks recently, making this home-and-home set a fascinating barometer for each squad. From Kirill Kaprizov to Johnny Gaudreau, there should be no shortage of firepower.

There also might be some bad blood, being that Oliver Kylington suffered a scary injury in that last Flames – Wild game.

Monday NHL scores

Maple Leafs 5, Capitals 3
Devils 7, Canucks 2
Bruins 7, Kings 0

—

James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.

Coyotes minority owner suspended by NHL following arrest

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:45 AM EDT

Donald Page/Getty Images

NEW YORK — Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Friday following his arrest for domestic violence in Colorado.

Online court records show Barroway was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree assault strangulation, a felony, and third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. He appeared in court Friday to be advised of the possible charges he is facing and is scheduled to back in court on April 3.

Barroway spent Thursday night in Pitkin County Jail after police arrested him at an Aspen hotel, according to a police report obtained by the Aspen Daily News.

“The National Hockey League is aware of the arrest of Arizona Coyotes’ minority owner Andrew Barroway,” the NHL said in a statement. “Pending further information, he has been suspended indefinitely.”

The 57-year-old Barroway was arrested after a verbal altercation with his wife turned physical, according to the police report. He is prohibited from having contact with his wife, except when it involves their children, and can’t consume alcohol under a court order.

A prominent hedge fund manager, Barroway owns 5% of the Coyotes.

“We are aware of the allegation regarding Mr. Barroway and we are working with the League to gather more information,” the Coyotes said in a statement. “When we have enough information, we will have an appropriate response. Until the investigation is complete, we will have no further comment.”

Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine out 2-4 weeks with triceps injury

Associated PressMar 24, 2023, 1:12 PM EDT

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine is out 2-4 weeks after straining a triceps muscle in practice, yet another blow to the last-place team in the NHL that has been hampered by injuries all season.

The Blue Jackets announced Laine’s absence before their home game against the New York Islanders.

They already have 454 man-games lost to injury, one of the highest numbers in the league, and have a record of 22-41-7.

Laine missed two separate stints with elbow and ankle injuries in the fall. The 24-year-old Finn is the team’s second-leading scorer with 52 points in 55 games.

Columbus has been top defenseman Zach Werenski since November because of a torn labrum and separated shoulder. Forward Sean Kuraly recently went on injured reserve with a strained left oblique muscle but is set to return Friday.

Tortorella earns 700th career win, Flyers top Wild 5-4

Associated PressMar 24, 2023, 12:33 AM EDT

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA — John Tortorella needed one word to sum up if 700 career wins meant anything to the Flyers coach.

“No.”

OK, then. Good thing the brusque Stanley Cup winner isn’t paid by the word.

James van Riemsdyk scored the only goal in a shootout, and Philadelphia beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 on Thursday night for Tortorella’s 700th victory.

Tortorella is 700-573-181 in 1,454 games as an NHL head coach. His 700 wins rank 12th in NHL history and his career games rank ninth in NHL history. He led Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004. In his first season coaching the Flyers, Tortorella joined Peter Laviolette as the second American-born coach to win 700 games.

“I think the culture’s kind of changed around here,” Flyers forward Joel Farabee said. “I think he’s done a really good job of keeping the group together.”

Farabee, Scott Laughton, Rasmus Ristolainen and Tyson Foerster scored for Philadelphia. The Flyers have two straight games for the first time since Jan. 9-14 when they won three straight. Yeah, it’s been that kind of season.

“Farabee’s starting to pop, he’s looking real good. Tyson is looking real good,” Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo said. “This is all about laying the foundation for next year but we get a lot of money to do this job. It’s something we love, so we’re gonna go out and give it our best every night.”

Matt Boldy had two goals for the Wild, and Oskar Sundqvist and Marcus Foligno also scored.

“We weren’t very good. They were good,” Wild coach Dean Evason said. “We knew they were playing well, they played well tonight. We were loose. We were not firm, turnovers, it didn’t look like our hockey club.”

The Flyers and Wild were tied 1-all at the end of the first period, 3-3 at the end of the second and 4-4 headed into OT.

The rebuilding Flyers have been plucky of late. They had won two of three coming into the game, with the lone loss in overtime. They showed some of that grit in the final two periods, scoring late tying goals.

“It’s a credit to their group, to their coaching staff, that they’ve got them playing the right way,” Evason said.

Boldy poked a backhander past Carter Hart with 6:28 left for a 4-3 lead. The Flyers, playing more for the No. 1 pick and for pride, tied the game on Foerster’s second goal of the season.

Farabee tipped in Cam York’s shot early in the second for a 2-1 lead.

The Wild got going when Boldy ripped one top shelf past Hart for his 24th goal of the season that tied the game 2-all. Foligno scored his seventh goal for the 3-2 lead.

Ristolainen buried a hard slapper from the blue line on the power play for the tying goal with 23 seconds left in the second.

“I think it’s good to try to lay this foundation, kind of get ready for next year. You see guys getting confidence,” DeAngelo said.

The Flyers only played ahead in the first period.

Laughton scored off the rush for his 17th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. Sundqvist celebrated his birthday with a deflection for the tying goal with 3:24 left in the period.

The Flyers had been one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL until the start of this seven-game homestand (3-2 so far). They have scored at least three goals in every game and at least four in the last four.

“We have definitely gotten to the net better,” Tortorella said. “We have spent a lot of time on the ice and with tape as far as getting to that area.”

UP NEXT

Wild: Host Chicago on Saturday.

Flyers: Host Detroit on Saturday.

Crosby reaches 30-goal mark, Penguins knock off Avalanche 5-2

Associated PressMar 23, 2023, 12:06 AM EDT

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

DENVER – Sidney Crosby wasn’t even aware of reaching yet another milestone. He’s simply locked in on helping the Pittsburgh Penguins make a 17th straight postseason appearance.

Jeff Carter had a pair of goals, Crosby scored on a nifty backhand shot in the second period to reach the 30-goal mark for an 11th season and the Penguins beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2.

Crosby moved into a tie with Hall-of-Fame center Mario Lemieux for the most 30-goal seasons in Penguins history. Another milestone reached – it came as news to him.

“I think the most important thing for me is just try to be consistent and if that reflects that great,” said Crosby, who turns 36 in August.

Even more, Crosby’s the first player in league history to post a 30-goal campaign at 18 years old and again when he was 35-plus, according to NHL Stats.

“It means I’ve been in the league for a while,” Crosby cracked. “That’s been the thing that’s driven me since since I got into the league – in your first year, you want to prove that you belong. Even at 35, I still think you want to prove you belong, because it is a younger league.”

Jake Guentzel also scored and Bryan Rust added an empty-net goal for the Penguins, who snapped a four-game slide and moved back into a wild-card spot in the East.

“It’s definitely a big one for us, for sure,” Guentzel said. “Defending champs, coming to their building, you know how good they are. Top to bottom, we defended hard and that’s what we have to do at this time of the year.”

Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 28 shots in improving to 11-4 this season against teams from the Western Conference.

J.T. Compher and Devon Toews had goals for the Avalanche, whose six-game winning streak was halted. Nathan MacKinnon had an assist to extend his home points streak to 18 games.

It was a missed opportunity for Colorado, which could’ve pulled into a three-way tie with Dallas and Minnesota in the Central Division with a victory.

“We knew they were going to play with urgency,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “But I didn’t feel like there was any reason why we couldn’t, either. … We didn’t get it done. Hopefully we get another one.”

Alexandar Georgiev made 40 saves, including several critical ones in a second period controlled by the Penguins, who outshot the Avalanche by a 21-9 margin. It could’ve been more than a 3-1 deficit heading into the third period.

Toews’ power-play goal made it 3-2 with 9:32 remaining. But Carter wrapped up the win with his first multigoal game in the regular season since Jan. 11, 2022.

“I’m thrilled for him. We’re all thrilled,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Carter. “He cares about the Penguins. He wants to win, and he wants to contribute in helping us win so we couldn’t be happier for him.”

BEDNAR’S DEAL

Bednar was appreciative of the three-year extension he signed Tuesday that goes through the 2026-27 season. In his seventh season, he’s the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper (March 2013) and Sullivan (December 2015).

“It’s not a forgiving league or sport, for the most part, but obviously that’s part of the reason why I’m so grateful and thankful,” Bednar said. “Because there were times over my tenure that got a little hairy and management could have made another decision. But obviously they didn’t.”

AROUND THE RINK

Avalanche D Cale Makar missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. “I still have him as day-to-day,” Bednar said. … F Darren Helm returned after missing 64 of 69 games this season with a lower-body injury. … Penguins D Jeff Petry (upper body) skated in the morning but sat out his third straight game. … The Penguins are 11-1 against the Central Division this season. … Penguins standout Evgeni Malkin assisted on Guentzel’s goal to reach the 50-assist mark for a seventh time in his career.