Since NHL general managers apparently thought the trade deadline came a day early, it’s understandable if you forgot that actual hockey games were played on Sunday.
NHL scores 2015: Canucks survive Blues rally, Ovechkin takes points lead
Entertainment was on and off the ice on Sunday.
Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
Especially since most of them were blowouts. The combined score of the first five games of the day was 21-9. When the average goal differential on a given day is 2.4, it doesn’t usually mean exciting hockey was played. But Sunday was one of those weird days where the action wasn’t exactly reflected by the final scores.
That particularly applies to fans who tuned out when the Vancouver Canucks racked up a 5-2 lead over the St. Louis Blues. Everyone should know better than to go to bed at that point. The final west coast game on Sunday nights always go to overtime. Without fail.
And so the theatrics inevitably came. Ryan Reaves threw punches over referees. Brian Elliott feuded with his coach. St. Louis roared back with three goals as Vancouver shut down like someone unplugged them from the wall. The game eventually ended in a shootout as the most entertaining affair of the day.
So let that be a lesson to those who decide to sleep before the final west coast game on Sundays. It will go to overtime. It will be awesome. And you will regret missing it the next morning.
Scores
Vancouver Canucks 6, St. Louis Blues 5 (SO)
3 things we learned
1. Jaromir Jagr is already making a difference in Florida.
Jagr got on the scoresheet for the first time as a Panther with a historic goal on Sunday, tying Phil Esposito for fifth all-time in NHL goals. That initial goal was the difference Florida needed to eke out a 4-3 win over their rivals from Tampa Bay. Florida won’t ask for much more than that from Jagr, but it’s certain he’ll make an impact in that young locker room too.
2. Ovechkin’s charge for all of the trophies continues.
Alex Ovechkin might end up with the Hart, Art Ross and Maurice Richard trophies by the end of the season at this rate. Ovi scored two goals and assisted on another in Washington's 4-0 win over Toronto on Sunday. That gives him the league lead in goals (41) and points (65) with about 20 games to go in the season. His two main competitors, Tyler Seguin and Patrick Kane, are injured and out of the running. It's his trophies to lose.
3. Jiri Sekac can saucer one hell of a pass.
I mean, just look at it. It’s beautiful.
Impact Moment
The Blues might have a goalie controversy on their hands. Jake Allen started the game in Vancouver, but got pulled for Brian Elliott in the third period. Then Ken Hitchcock pulled Elliott and put in Allen again. Safe to say, Elliott was not pleased.
Big scene at the Blues bench.. Elliott just pulled himself, and Hitchcock grabbed him.. Elliott knocks Hitch's hand away and storms off..
— Blake Price (@blakeprice1040) March 2, 2015
So goaltending is going to be a problem for St. Louis heading into the playoffs again, huh?
Stat of the Night
Alex Ovechkin breached the 40 goals mark for the seventh time in his career, which puts him in a special group.
With the exception of Teemu Selanne, who just retired, every other player with at least seven 40-goal seasons is in the Hall of Fame.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) March 2, 2015 Post to Post
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