From lost teeth to lost chances, Sunday’s NHL action was pretty memorable. Here are five things we learned in the NHL.
Hammond saves Sens season… for now:
The Ottawa Senators could’ve had it all on Sunday. Entering their game against the lowly Maple Leafs, the Sens were in full control of their playoff destiny. If they won out, regardless of how the other teams they’re chasing fared, they would be a playoff team.
Instead, they dropped the game 3-2 in a shootout, and needed this desperation save from Andrew Hammond late in the third period to even salvage a point.
There’s no denying that Hammond has almost single handedly turned around the club’s fortunes this season, but losing the ability to control their own fate was a devastating blow for a team that has fought so hard to even become a part of the playoff race.
Flyers, Mason continue to dominate Pens:
There’s no way to put this lightly for Pittsburgh Penguins fans: Steve Mason and the Philadelphia Flyers have your number. The Flyers defeated the Pens for the eighth straight time Sunday in a 4-1 victory, and in the process they swept their season series with Pittsburgh for the first time in 31 years.
As for Mason, he made 46 saves (yes, 46) and continued to dominate the Pens. In his career the 2008-09 Calder Trophy winner is 6-2-1, with a .932 save percentage, and a 2.21 GAA against the Penguins. Those are impressive numbers, but more so considering they’re against a team that boasts both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Carey on my wayward son:
Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price continues to add to his extremely impressive season. On Sunday, Price tied a franchise record for wins with his 42nd of the season when the Habs upended the Florida Panthers 4-1.
Making the record even more impressive is the fact he’s playing for the oldest franchise in the league, which is now in it’s 106th season.
Ovechkin not the only star in Washington:
Braden Holtby isn’t one to let Carey Price hog all the spotlight. Holtby not only edged closer to a franchise record after leading the Washington Capitals past the Detroit Red Wings, 2-1, on Sunday, but he also set one as well.
Not only is he pressing Kolzig for the club mark in wins, he did so by notching his 100th career victory at the same time, and made a tonne of big saves down the stretch to preserve the win.
Also in Capitals land, with the Senators’ shootout loss Washington officially secured a playoff berth.
Who needs a dentist?
That title is rhetorical because St. Louis Blues forward Ryan Reaves has no time for one. After taking a hard hit into the boards from Brent Seabrook during the Blues’ 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, Reaves took matters into his own hands (literally) and pulled his tooth straight out of his mouth without flinching.
Reaves certainly has more fortitude than some of us.
Us too, Chris. Us too.
