Five things we learned in the NHL: Bernier’s blunders

The struggles of Jonathan Bernier continued on Saturday as he allowed four goals against the Washington Capitals, with Mike Babcock admitting that pulling him after the second period was an option that was considered.

There weren’t as many games that went to overtime as Friday night (Eight? Really?), but there was one unsettling refrain in Saturday’s games: senseless violence.

While the NHL may be looking into a couple of incidents from tonight’s action, there was also no shortage of straight-up fun on the ice. Oh, the beautiful contradictions of NHL hockey.

Here are five things we learned Saturday.

1. Jonathan Bernier is blowing his chance at redemption

We won’t say that Bernier allowing early goals is something we learned, but Saturday’s Maple Leafs-Capitals game reinforced that lesson.

The struggling goaltender gave up a goal on the second shot against in the first period and another on the first shot in the second period. To that point, the Leafs had given up just five shots.

The Leafs went on to lose 4-2, and although two goals were scored on the Capitals’ power play, Bernier squandered another opportunity to gain the trust of his coach and teammates with James Reimer injured.

He remains winless on the season.

2. Viktor Arvidsson cross-check mirrors Dubinsky’s on Crosby

The heated Penguins-Blue Jackets game Friday was well-documented; the major news being Brandon Dubinsky‘s cross-check on Sidney Crosby that resulted in the forward’s one-game suspension.

Saturday saw an identical incident when Nashville Predators winger Viktor Arvidsson clunked the oft-injured Buffalo Sabres defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo up high with his stick.

Some argued that Dubinsky should have been punished during Friday’s game, thereby directly helping the affected Penguins. Dubinsky instead assisted on the eventual game-winner.

But in Arvidsson’s case, he was immediately assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct, and the Sabres took advantage. Buffalo scored two goals on the ensuing power play, giving them a 2-1 lead that they didn’t give up.

Now that’s justice.

Here’s hoping Colaiacovo is OK. He suffered a dented trachea on the play.

Meanwhile, this also happened Saturday.

3. Stars’ stars spark startling comeback

Never count the Dallas Stars out of a game.

Down 3-0 to the Minnesota Wild, Dallas simply shrugged. Over the course of 10 minutes in the third period, Alex Goligoski, Jamie Benn and John Klingberg scored successively to bring the score to 3-3, sending the game to 3-on-3. Advantage Stars.

Then, in OT, it was Benn, Klingberg and Patrick Sharp who combined to discombobulate the Wild, winning 4-3.

Game: blouses.

4. Komarov all-Finnish

One of the bright spots for the Leafs Saturday — and there were a few, including beating the Capitals in shots and faceoffs — was the play of Leo Komarov. And he had a special following in the crowd in support.

A fellow Finn, Esa Tikkanen was in town to watch as Komarov drew a penalty, scored on the ensuing power play, and tied his career-high in goals with his eighth of the season.

The forward’s relentless play has been noticable this season whereas last season was a struggle, especially after suffering a concussion in another game against Washington.

5. Kane’s point streak the longest by an American

We didn’t have to wait as long as last night to find out if Patrick Kane would extend the streak.

Scoring in the first period on the power play, Kane now has points in 19 straight games, the most ever by an American skater.

Being a typical athlete, he still thinks he can do better.

And finally, for your viewing pleasure, I present to you Evgeni Malkin:

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