Call it the Division of Death if you will, but the Central Division is clearly the NHL's strongest. The only team under .500 is the Colorado Avalanche and the second worst team in the standings as of Friday morning? The reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks.
NHL scores 2015: Predators edge Wild 3-2 in key Central Division matchup
A delayed whistle may have cost Minnesota a chance at a point.
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The two points offered in Thursday night's match between the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators were big ones, with both teams sitting at 7-2-2 coming into the game. In a division so close, every point matters even this early in the season. One player stood out over the course of the game, and not always for the right reasons.
James Neal made waves early with this hit on Wild assistant captain Zach Parise less than a minute into the game. The hit clearly affected Parise, who struggled to get off the ice and while he would return later, eventually left and never saw the ice again after the first 20 minutes. Neal's hit set the tone, as the agitator was pestering Wild players all evening and led the Preds in the game with four penalty minutes.
Neal hit on Parise pic.twitter.com/0OCjl85qB0
— Stephanie (@myregularface) November 6, 2015 Neal's antics were only the start, as the teams exchanged goals all evening. Roman Josi scored 12 seconds into the third to break the 1-1 deadlock then six minutes later Matt Dumba's power play goal knotted it all back up again. The biggest goal came with less than six minutes to go, on a slightly controversial call after Cody Hodgson picked up his own rebound past netminder Devan Dubnyk. The netminder thought he should have had a whistle after losing the puck in his equipment, but dropped it while moving and Hodgson stuffed home the rebound in the confusion.
Dubnyk upset w Hodgson winner, went on for a minute, saying explanation was puck was between legs whole time when replay shows it wasn't.
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 6, 2015 It’s a call that can go either way, as while it looked like Dubnyk held the puck for a sufficient amount of time in which a whistle could have been called -- and there have been quicker whistles called in this game. However, he was not in control of the puck the whole way through the process, giving the refs pause.
For the Preds, the win gives them one of their best starts in franchise history over 12 games. A well-earned feat in a tough division like the Central.
With the win, #Preds tie their best ever 12-game start at 8-2-2 — tying the 2005-06 squad.
— Kristopher Martel (@kmartel_sports) November 6, 2015 Scores
Predators 3, Wild 2
Coyotes 4, Avalanche 2
Blue Jackets 3, Kings 2
3 things we learned
1. The Boston Bruins road streak ends at five
To everyone's surprise, the Boston Bruins have not imploded completely after their laughable offseason that stripped their franchise bare. In fact, the Bruins had been undefeated on the road through five games to start the season that's to some all around solid road play. Boston met their match Thursday after running into the Washington Capitals, who were looking to make a statement after a forgettable 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers in their last outing. Despite scoring the first goal, the Capitals tallied four straight to beat Boston 4-1 and snap their road winning streak.
2. Nick Grossmann, goal scorer?
The Arizona Coyotes broke above .500 Thursday night thanks to the two goals of noted team goal scorer... Nick Grossmann? The former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman potted the Coyotes' first goal of the evening then another one in the second period. The goals were his first and second of the year, helping Arizona to a 4-2 win over the Avalanche. For reference, it took the defenseman until the end of November to score his second goal of the year last season.
With Nicklas Grossmann being credited for his 2nd goal, it's the 1st time in his career he has scored 2 goals in a game. #Coyotes
— Jeffrey Sanders (@JeSanders11) November 6, 2015 3. The Flyers are #bad
The resistable force of Flyers 29th-ranked GF was held back by the movable object of CGY's 30th-ranked GA. Not good.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) November 6, 2015 It’s all gone wrong for the Philadelphia Flyers recently, who have lost their last six games in a row with no end in to the slump in sight.
Impact Moment
@davegisaac Same. pic.twitter.com/NeM0kPFy0o
— Joe Dought (@JoeR35h93) November 6, 2015 Oh no, Vinny.
Rookie of the Night
You may have heard of this kid, Jack Eichel. He's good.
Stat of the Night
Despite not having injured Carey Price #Canadiens have gone 3-0-1 in the 4 straight starts of his backup Mike Condon pic.twitter.com/lgfZy3ygvS
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 6, 2015 Who needs Carey Price when you have... Mike Condon?
Stat of the Night II
#CBJ held without a shot on goal in 2nd period, first time in club history that has happened. Had been held to one shot 10 times previously.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 6, 2015 Somehow, the Blue Jackets managed to keep the Kings off the scoreboard in the second AND win the game.
Post to Post
- Jack Eichel, still good at hockey
- Alex Ovechkin scores a goal from his stomach because the Caps captain does what he wants
- Jonathan Quick literally wants to fight everyone
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