Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

01/20/2022 at 5:10am EST

* The Rangers scored five unanswered goals – bookended by tallies from Adam Fox and Ryan Reaves – to rally past the Maple Leafs. Reaves, who scored earlier in the game, recorded his first two goals since being traded to New York on July 29, 2021.

* Nazem Kadri also collected multiple points to eclipse 50 on the season and help the Avalanche blank the Ducks.

* The NHL announced a comprehensive update to the 2021-22 regular-season schedule, including new dates for 98 games that had been postponed over the two-month period from Nov. 18, 2021 through Jan. 18, 2022, that will see all teams complete the full season by the original April 29 closing date.


FOX, REAVES HELP RANGERS RALLY TO RECLAIM FIRST IN METROPOLITAN
Adam Fox (2-1—3) and Ryan Reaves (2-0—2) had two goals apiece as the Rangers (26-10-4, 56 points) rallied from deficits of 2-0 and 3-1 to defeat the Maple Leafs and move past the Hurricanes (26-8-2, 54 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

* Fox (7-35—42 in 40 GP) eclipsed 40 points on the season and now sits just one back of Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman (9-34—43 in 41 GP) for the most among NHL blueliners. Fox became the first New York defenseman to reach the 40-point mark in 40 games played or fewer since Brian Leetch in 2000-01 (8-32—40 in 30 GP).

* Reaves, who celebrates his 35th birthday Thursday, became the first player to score each of his first two career goals with the Rangersin the same game since Ryane Clowe (April 3, 2013). The only players in franchise history to record each of their first three career tallies with New York in the same contest are Bill Hicke (Jan. 9, 1965), Ulf Dahlen (Oct. 23, 1987) and Derek Stepan (Oct. 9, 2010).



AVALANCHE EXTEND POINT STREAK AHEAD OF ESPN GAME THURSDAY
Nazem Kadri (1-1—2) factored on both Colorado goals to eclipse 50 points this season (15-36—51 in 34 GP) and help the Western Conference-leading Avalanche (26-8-3, 55 points) improve to 9-0-1 (19 points) since Jan. 2. Colorado can extend its point streak to 11 contests when they visit Los Angeles on ESPN Thursday, which would match the longest by any team this season.

* Kadri became the fifth player to reach the 50-point mark this season, joining Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (27-28—55 in 40 GP), Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (26-28—54 in 35 GP), Oilers captain Connor McDavid (19-34—53 in 34 GP) and Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau (15-38—53 in 39 GP).



VEJMELKA’S VICTORY FEATURED IN WEDNESDAY’S #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates features several more notes from the three-game slate, including Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka making 35 saves to vault the visitors to victory at Prudential Center. Vejmelka improved to 3-0-0 in his last three road appearances dating to Nov. 21, 2021 with a 0.66 goals-against average, .983 save percentage and one shutout.


O’REE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL BILL PASSED

One day after his No. 22 was retired by the Bruins, a bill to award Willie O’Ree the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor in the United States, passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a bipartisan 426-0 vote. Next, the bill will go to the White House for President Joe Biden’s signature.



* The Congressional Gold Medal is awarded to individuals or groups for distinguished achievements and contributions. In 2010, O’Ree was awarded the Order of Canada, a similar honor in his birth country of Canada – he will become the only person to be awarded both the Congressional Gold Medal and the Order of Canada. Click here for the full story from NHL.com’s William Douglas.

* Did You Know? O’Ree is not only en route to becoming the first-ever hockey player to receive the Congressional Gold Medal in its nearly 250-year history, he also can become the first winter sport athlete bestowed the honor. Sometimes referred to as the “Jackie Robinson of Hockey,” O’Ree will join one of his heroes, Mr. Robinson, as one of a handful of athletes to ever receive the medal.

* ICYMI: Nominations are now open for the Fifth Annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award presented by MassMutual.

QUICK CLICKS

* Anson Carter, NHL on TNT panel speak with Willie O'Ree Wednesday
* Dmitry Orlov suspended two games for kneeing; Phillip Danault, Jonathan Drouin fined
* Rangers wear warmup jerseys with Teddy Balkind’s name, number
* Devils don special jerseys during pre-game warmup as part of their Hispanic Heritage Night



PENGUINS PURSUE MORE SUCCESS AT PPG PAINTS ARENA THURSDAY
Jake Guentzel, Kris Letang and the Penguins (23-10-5, 51 points) eye a sixth straight win at PPG Paints Arena as they welcome the Senators (11-19-2, 24 points) to town during Thursday’s nine-game slate. Pittsburgh is 13-2-0 (26 points) in its past 15 games overall dating to Dec. 4, 2021 – the Penguins’ 13 wins over that span trail only the Avalanche (14-1-2, 30 points) and Lightning (14-4-1, 29 points) for the most among all teams.



* Guentzel (20-18—38 in 32 GP) has found the score sheet in all but five of his outings in 2021-22 and has tallied the game-winning goal in each of his past two contests. Already with five winners this season, Guentzel can become the fourth player in Penguins history to score the game-winning goal in three consecutive contests, joining Sidney Crosby (3 GP in 2015-16), Jaromir Jagr (3 GP in 2000-01) and Doug Shedden (3 GP in 1985-86).


* Letang (2-11—13 in 8 GP), who sits tied with Patrick Kane (2-8—10 in 8 GP) for the NHL’s longest active point streak, can join Paul Coffey (4 GP in 1991-92) as just the second Penguins defenseman to register multiple assists in four consecutive home games.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.

Create an Account

In order to leave a comment, please create an account.

About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

Email Paul anytime at [email protected]

Most Recent Posts

Most Recent Comments

Comment by Cigar-Nurse in Abel to Yzerman from the entry Quick Recap- Wings/Hurricanes - 44 minutes ago
Comment by bezukov in Abel to Yzerman from the entry The Downward Spiral Continues For The Wings - 1 hour ago
Comment by damndogrevenge in Abel to Yzerman from the entry The Downward Spiral Continues For The Wings - 2 hours ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 9 hours ago
Comment by Paul in Kukla's Korner Hockey from the entry NHL Short Notes - 9 hours ago