On New Year’s Eve, there were nine games that took place as we all ring in a happy new year, plus news out of Ottawa
NHL News and Notes from Sunday, December 31st, 2023
News
- The Ottawa Senators announced a slew of Front Office moves.
- Steve Staios was named General Manager and President of Hockey Operations.
- Dave Poulin was named Senior Vice President, Hockey Operations.
- Ryan Bowness would be named Associate General Manager.
News Release: Steve Staios has been appointed #Sens General Manager and President of Hockey Operations; Dave Poulin joins the team as Senior Vice-President, Hockey Operations; Ryan Bowness has been appointed the team’s Associate General Manager: https://t.co/ewBbHUNTf3 pic.twitter.com/Xaksy0RnBO
— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 31, 2023
- The Toronto Maple Leafs placed goaltender Ilya Samsonov on waivers.
- The Buffalo Sabres also placed goaltender Eric Comrie on waivers.
Placed on NHL waivers today: Eric Comrie (BUF) and Ilya Samsonov (TOR).
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 31, 2023
Game Recaps
Winnipeg Jets v. Minnesota Wild – 2p ET
- In Minnesota, the Wild welcomed the Jets back to the State of Hockey and in the first Minnesota took the 1-0 lead with a goal from Marcus Foligno. In the second, Winnipeg tied the game when Adam Lowry scored his seventh of the year. In the third, Minnesota re-took the lead wiht a power play goal from Frederick Gaudreau but then Vladislav Namestnikov scored a power play goal of his own to even the score. Then, Dominic Toninato scored his first of the year to lift the Jets past the Wild for the 3-2 win.
Boston Bruins v. Detroit Red Wings – 5p ET
- In an Original Six match-up in the Motor City, the Red Wings welcomed the Bruins back to Detroit. In the first, Trent Frederic scored his eighth of the year to put Boston up 1-0. In the second, Trent Frederic scored his second of the night to put Boston up 2-0 but then Detroit responded with a pair of goals from Jake Walman, scoring his ninth, and Ben Chiarot, scoring his third. In the third, Charlie Coyle scored his 13th to put Boston back up a goal and then Jake DeBrusk scored an empty net goal to give the Bruins the 4-2 lead. Then, a power play goal J.T. Compher brought Detroit within a goal but Pavel Zacha scored an empty net goal of his own as the Bruins downed the Red Wings 5-3.
Buffalo Sabres v. Ottawa Senators – 6p ET
- In Ottawa, the Senators welcomed the Sabres back to the Canadian capital city and in the first, Ottawa took the 1-0 lead when Jakob Chychrun scored his seventh and then Zack MacEwen netted his first of the year to put the Sens up 2-0. Then, Tage Thompson got his 10th of the year to put the Sabres on the board. In the second, Dominik Kubalik notched his eighth of the year to put Ottawa back up a pair and then Mark Kastelic scored his first of the year to give Ottawa the 4-1 lead. In the third, Artem Zub scored an empty net goal as the Senators got the 5-1 win over the Sabres.
New York Islanders v. Pittsburgh Penguins – 6p ET
- In the Steel City, the Penguins hosted the Islanders and in the first Pittsburgh took the 1-0 lead when Lars Eller scored his fifth of the year. In the second, a Noel Acciari goal gave the Pens the 2-0 lead. In the third, New York gor on the board when Samuel Bolduc scored his first of the year but then an empty net goal from Lars Eller, scoring his second of the contest, gave the Penguins the 3-1 victory over the Islanders.
Montreal Canadiens v. Tampa Bay Lightning – 7p ET
- In Tampa, the Lightning hosted the Canadiens for the first time this season and after a scoreless first, Montreal took the 1-0 lead when Cole Caufield scored his 10th of the year and then Jonathan Kovacevic scored his fifth of the year to give the Habs the 2-0 lead. Then, Brayden Point scored his 17th of the year to put the Bolts on the board and then Auston Watson scored his second of the year to even the score 2-2. In the third, Calvin de Haan’s first of the year gave Tampa the lead and then Nikta Kucherov scored his 26th on the year to put the Bolts up two. Then, Nick Suzuki scored his 11th of the year but it was not enough for Montreal as the Lightning skated by the Canadiens for the 4-3 victory.
Edmonton Oilers v. Anaheim Ducks – 8p ET
- In Anaheim, the Ducks hosted the Oilers for the first time on the season and in the first, Edmonton took the 1-0 lead when Ryan McLeod scored his seventh of the year but then Anaheim tied it up when Max Jones scored his fourth of the year. Then, Evander Kane scored his 14th of the year to put Edmonton back in the lead. In the second, Leon Draisaitl notched his 17th of the year to give the Oilers the two goal lead and then Warren Foegele scored a pair as Edmonton took the 5-1 lead. In the third, Frank Vatrano netted his 17th of the year to bring the Ducks within three but Zach Hyman scored his 21st of the year to put Edmonton back up four. Brett Kulak the scored his second of the year as the Oilers flew by the Ducks for the 7-2 win.
Philadelphia Flyers v. Calgary Flames – 8p ET
- In the Saddledome, the Flames welcomed the Flyers back to Calgary and in the first, Philadelphia took the 1-0 lead when Rasmus Ristolainen scored his first of the year. In the second, Calgary got on the board when Mikael Backlund scored his eighth of the year. In the third, Dennis Gilbert scored his first of the season to put Calgary in the lead and then Nazem Kadri’s 10th of the year put the Flames up two. Then, Bobby Brink scored his seventh of the year to bring Philadelphia within a goal but Blake Coleman’s 13th of the year gave Calgary the two lead once more. Then, Philadelphia’s Egor Zamula scored his third of the year but the Flames held on to get the 4-3 win over the Flyers.
San Jose Sharks v. Colorado Avalanche – 8p ET
- In Colorado, the Avalanche welcomed the Sharks back to the Mile High City and in the first, the Avs took the 1-0 lead when Mikko Rantanen scored his 19th goal of the year on the power play. In the second, Tomas Hertl responded with a power play goal of his own to get the Sharks on the board. In the third, Valeri Nichushkin scored his 17th of the year to put Colorado back in the lead and then Josh Manson scored the game winner as the Avalanche got the 3-1 win over the Sharks.
Chicago Blackhawks v. Dallas Stars – 8p ET
- In the Lone Star State, the Stars welcomed the Blackhawks back to Dallas and in the first, Craig Smith scored his fourth of the year to put the Stars on the board and then Ryan Suter scored his first of the year to put Dallas up 2-0. Then, Tyler Seguin scored his 11th of the year to put the Stars up 3-0. In the second, Sam Steel scored his third of the year to put the Stars up 4-0 and then a power play goal from Mason Marchment put Dallas up 5-0. In the third, Philipp Kurashev scored his seventh on the year to put Chicago on the board but then Roope Hintz responded with his 15th of the year. Mason Marchment then scored a pair to complete a hat trick and give the Stars the 8-1 bruising win over the Blackhawks.
Today’s Games
- VGK v. SEA – 3p ET
- 2024 NHL Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park
Noteworthy in Hockey
- Ethan Bear Reflects On Memorable Season Debut, Capitals & Coaching Staff Impressed With Play: ‘Kind Of Surprised Myself A Little Bit’ (The Hockey News)
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