Most sports fans were enamoured by the two MLB playoff games — heck most NHLers were watching the Blue Jays game — but there was hockey Wednesday night too, you guys. Guys? Hello?
Here are four things we learned Wednesday in the NHL.
Blue Jackets lay an egg after criticism…
Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen called out his team after starting the season 0-3 and his Blue Jackets failed to respond in their fourth outing. They were pummeled 7-3 by the Ottawa Senators at home. The Blue Jackets have been notorious slow starters under head coach Todd Richards and that’s exactly why they failed to make the playoffs last season despite winning 16 of their final 17 games.
While Blue Jackets fans are reeling, Sens fans have to be optimistic. Even though Erik Karlsson led the way with four assists, Ottawa still managed to spread the wealth as they improved to 3-1 on the season.
Coyotes youngsters are coming up huge…
Expectations for the Arizona Coyotes aren’t very high this season, but what we’ve seen so far from the team’s young stars is extremely promising. Max Domi showed what he’s capable of when he scored a goal and added an assist in his NHL debut last week and scored on a beauty backhander Wednesday.
Not to be outdone, Anthony Duclair notched his first goal as a Coyote. Duclair, who has registered a point in each game this season, is making the most of his ice-time. The 20-year-old added two more to record his first career hat trick.
Who knows if the Coyotes can continue their strong start, but the future is bright.
Claude Giroux scores in milestone game…
Giroux scored his first of the season in his 500th career NHL game as his Philadelphia Flyers shut out the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. Coming up clutch when he’s in the spotlight is nothing new for the Flyers captain and in the last six seasons no player has more points than Giroux.
Timonen gets a tribute…
Prior to the Backhawks-Flyers game, former defenceman Kimmo Timonen was honoured for playing 16 seasons in the NHL. Timonen spent sevens seasons with the Flyers and retired after winning the Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks last year.
