* A trio of Hurricanes players led the club to a come-from-behind victory with three-point outings, including Andrei Svechnikov who extended his multi-point streak to six games and tied the franchise mark for the longest such run in the process.
* Winnipeg improved to 25-9-4 (54 points) and claimed first in the NHL standings, marking the first time in franchise history they have held the top spot this late into a season.
* A four-game Hockey Night in Canada broadcast will see several 2024 All-Stars in action, including Auston Matthews, Nick Suzuki, Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk and Connor McDavid. Check out the #NHLStats Pack: 2024 NHL All-Star Weekend for more on the players named to the event.
from Sportsnet,
Interestingly, there were mixed opinions from members of the Blackhawks organization about Brendan Smith's open-ice hit on Bedard that ended the latter player's night in the first period.
The five-foot-10 Bedard, carrying the puck into the Devils' zone, grabbed his mouth area after the hit by the six-foot-two Smith. There was no penalty on the play.
Everybody saw it, its dirty. I think thats dirty," Blackhawks forward Boris Katchouk said, per video first posted by Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune.
However, Blackhawks coach Luke Richardson didn't see it the same way.
"I don't know if it was dirty," Richardson said. "I think Connor was reaching for a puck and didn't see him because he was behind one of their players. I don't think he stepped up on him. I think he just kind of stopped and Connor kind of ran head first right into him. I don't think it was intent to hit or anything. I think he was just playing hard on the blue line and trying to keep the puck out on the penalty kill."
Still, the Blackhawks showed their displeasure after the hit as the game turned quite rough, including a fight between Nick Foligno and Smith. Foligno exited after the fight with an injury.
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