The Los Angeles Kings, confident at the Canadian Tire Center, gave Ottawa Senators fans and goaltender Cam Talbot a bad time by winning 5-2 on Tuesday night.
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After only 2:15 it was already 2:0 for the guests, as the veteran had just let defenders Matt Roy and Mikey Anderson go first. Drake Batherson’s success didn’t change the Kings’ appetites, Viktor Arvidsson responded with two quick nets in the first half.
After a 20-minute break, Talbot gave Kevin Fiala a goal midway through the second period. Head coach DJ Smith sent him into the showers given the Ontarian’s performance of nine saves on 14 shots. As a substitute, Anton Forsberg was perfect with 13 strokes.
The night was special for another reason for Kings goaltender Pheonix Copley, who made 31 saves. The Alaskan native of the North Pole often has his best moments before the holiday season. He took the opportunity to sign a first National League win since March 19, 2019.
Hamilton leads the Devils
In Newark, the New Jersey Devils logically defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0 thanks to three points from Dougie Hamilton.
The attacking defender had never scored so many points in a game in a Devils jersey, and it’s also the first time since January 17, 2020. On Tuesday night he was right in the middle.
Well positioned at the head of the enclave, Hamilton shot on reception after the delivery of Jack Hughes, who had knitted between the opposing players at the entrance of the territory. The Ontarian then became an accomplice to the successes of Jesper Bratt and Nico Hischier.
In goal, Vitek Vanecek blocked 24 shots for the second shutout of the season.
Hawks captain Jonathan Toews was absent with a virus unrelated to COVID-19.
Crosby and Jarry take care of the Blue Jackets
At the PPG Paints Arena, the Pittsburgh Penguins surprised no one by defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1.
The hosts did not outrageously dominate the Ohio team, which, however, crumbled at the end of the overall standings. The Blue Jackets instead faced a Tristan Jarry in full possession of his means. The Canadian fended off 38 of the opposition’s 39 attempts and was only fooled by a surgically precise Johnny Gaudreau shot in the first period.
Then captain Sidney Crosby took matters into his own hands and scored two goals. He first threw himself full-length onto the ice to jump on a Jake Guentzel throw and give his men the lead. A few minutes later Guentzel discovered the number 87 in a massive attack at the gate to 3:1.
Bryan Rust and Teddy Blueger also engineered the win.