Justin Holl

Players of the Night:

Travis Dermott and Justin Holl, Toronto Maple Leafs: Both Dermott and Holl scored their first NHL goals on Wednesday, Dermott in his ninth NHL game and Holl in his first. Dermott assisted on Holl’s goal, because of course he did.

Chandler Stephenson, Washington Capitals: Stephenson scored his third and fourth career NHL goals to help drag the Capitals back from an early first-period 2-0 deficit. His goals began a run of five straight for the Caps, who beat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-3.

Martin Jones, San Jose Sharks: Jones sure could have used some run support on Wednesday. He made 43 of 44 saves in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings. Someone owes the man a dinner.

Highlights of the Night:

Nice pass from Wayne Simmonds. Nice finish from Nolan Patrick.

It's been a quiet season for #Flyers rookie Nolan Patrick but he made no mistake tonight for his 4th goal of the year. pic.twitter.com/pNiXe6SP0Y

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 1, 2018

Geez, Louise, Tomas Tatar.

Case in point. @Trto21 pic.twitter.com/al4DpseM07

— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 1, 2018

Factoids of the Night:

Islanders have been outscored 12-1 in their last 2 visits to Toronto. #BellLetsTalk

— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) February 1, 2018

Justin Holl received a text from Travis Dermott this afternoon:

"He said, 'We're playing together, I've had chills for the last five minutes.' And I was like, 'I know, let's go!' It was really exciting. He's a good friend of mine."#BellLetsTalk

— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) February 1, 2018

MISC:

A look at Claude Giroux‘s glorious rejuvenation.
Will Golden Knights be surprise trade deadline buyers?
Jaromir Jagr’s hockey future hinges on healing up knee
Taylor Hall fined, not suspended, for boarding Kyle Okposo
Mike Fisher on Predators return: ‘This could be our year’
Adam Henrique leading Ducks’ charge towards playoffs

Scores:

Maple Leafs 5, Islanders 0

Capitals 5, Flyers 3

Red Wings 2, Sharks 1 (SO)

Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck

We’ll close out Blackhawks Day on PHT with news of a signing for their AHL team in Rockford and he’s got some Frozen Four cred.

Jason Gonzalez of The Star Tribune reports the Blackhawks have signed former University of Minnesota defenseman Justin Holl to a one-year deal to join the Rockford IceHogs.

Holl, 22, was a 2010 second-round pick by Chicago and will forever be remembered by Golden Gophers fans for helping defeat hated rival North Dakota in the 2014 Frozen Four semifinal. His goal with 0.6 seconds left gave the Gophers a 2-1 victory and a spot in the national championship game against eventual champion Union College.

In four seasons at Minnesota, Holl tallied eight goals and 38 points. He joins what’s become a crowded pack of young defensemen in the fold with the Blackhawks that includes former college players Stephen Johns (Notre Dame), Adam Clendening (Boston University), and Trevor van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire).

Follow @JoeYerdonPHT

The Buzzer: Rookies get all the goals

‘Hawks sign Minnesota Frozen Four hero to minor-league deal