NHL: Calvin Pickard couldn’t perform a miracle against the Panthers

Calvin Pickard hasn’t had his NHL start in 22 months and his return was tough against the Florida Panthers, who beat the Edmonton Oilers 5-3.

In his final start, in a Detroit Red Wings uniform, Pickard made 36 saves in a shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 28, 2022.

On Monday, he was unable to pull off a miracle against the third-best team in the East to ease a rocky start to the season for the Oilers, who lost their second straight game. They are 2-2 since Chris Knoblauch took over as coach on Nov. 12.

Connor McDavid scored two goals in the loss, one of them from a penalty kick. The No.97 launched his team forward after 5:59, followed by Evander Kane.

McDavid made it 3-2 in the second period after Gustav Forsling caught him on a breakaway. He swerved wide to his right before returning to center to beat Sergei Bobrovsky on the block side and score his third career goal on a penalty kick, an organization record.

But the Panthers came from behind for the second time in the match. Just a minute later, Niko Mikkola also scored twice to tie the game again.

Then Kevin Stenlund broke the deadlock.

Pickard remained in the game in the third period and tried to keep his team in the game by stopping Ivan Rodriguez, who was running alone in front of him, but Bobrovsky closed the door on the other side. They both blocked 28 shots.

Sam Bennett finally put the game out of reach by scoring into an empty net, good for his first goal of the season.

The Avalanche spoils the victory in 16 short seconds

Filip Forsberg and Jakov Trenin scored in a span of 16 seconds in the final minute of play as the Nashville Predators won 4-3 over the Colorado Avalanche.

Forsberg initially tied the game at 3-3 with 38 seconds left by jumping on a rebound shot into the mouth of the net. Treinen then threw a shower of cold water on the Avalanche players by scoring the decisive goal 16 seconds later.

The Swedish Predators forward also added another goal in the first half. After suffering a concussion last season, Forsberg’s participation was limited to only 50 matches. After returning to optimal health, Forsberg now has 21 points in 17 games this season. Quebecer Jeremy Lauzon took advantage of this visit from the Avalanche to score his first goal of the season.

In the defeat, Cale Makar participated in all three of his team’s goals in this match. The star defender became the 12th defender in history to collect at least three points in three different matches in the same season. Makar achieved this feat in just 17 mini-meetings.

Valery Neshushkin scored a goal and an assist, while Nathan MacKinnon was involved in two of his teammates’ goals. Andrew Cogliano and Devon Toews were the other scorers in Avalanche camp.

Juuse Saros stopped 25 pucks to end a five-game losing streak. The Finn has not tasted victory since October 28. Alexander Georgiev made 26 saves.

The stars bring the Rangers back to Earth

Roope Hintz led the way with a three-pointer as the Dallas Stars beat the New York Rangers 6-3 in a duel between two NHL powerhouses. New York has collected at least one point in its last 11 games.

Joe Pavelski, Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin each had a goal and an assist in this duel.

Rangers took a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Vincent Trocheck and Kaapo Kakko. Jimmy Benn Al-Nojoom scored late in the second half to reduce the deficit to one goal.

Then Dallas exploded with five unanswered goals in the final third. With a 4-2 lead, Sam Steele and Hintz put the game out of Rangers’ reach with two empty-net goals. Barclay Goodreau scored with 16 seconds left to make the score 6-3 in favor of the Stars.

Scott Wedgwood sealed the victory by stopping 30 balls. Igor Shesterkin also made 30 saves, but surrendered the Texans’ offense four times.

As for the Rangers, Artemi Panarin did not register his name on the scorers list for the first time this season, after obtaining at least one point in his team’s first 15 matches, which is a record for the Rangers at the beginning of the season.

The Stars used this game to announce a tribute to Mike Modano near the American Airlines Center. A statue of the former team star will be unveiled on March 16. Modano will join Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki, who also has a statue of himself in front of the AAC.

Prince Harry had a puck in the Canucks game

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, dropped the ceremonial puck at a Vancouver Canucks game, as part of preparations for the 2025 Invictus Games.

The Canucks host the San Jose Sharks on Monday. His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, dropped the puck during a match between the two teams 21 years ago.

Harry is the founder and patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, which runs the international multi-sport event for injured and ill military personnel.

Harry attended the match alongside his wife, Meghan Markle, local indigenous leaders, Prime Minister David Eby, and Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport Lana Popham.

Rogers Arena will host the closing ceremony of the 2025 Invictus Games, which will be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia.

The Games will be held from February 8 to 16, 2025.