Erik Haula and Mikael Granlund showed off their skills in the night hockey NHL round. Finnish goalkeepers Kaapo Kähkönen and Juuse Saros were the winners.
New Jersey Devils Erik Haula scored his seventh goal of the season in NHL hockey in an away game against the Vancouver Canucks. In the opening set, Haula led the Devils to a 2–1 lead in front of the goal, when he skillfully lifted the puck into the top corner. Haula got a Namupass From Jack Hughes.
New Jersey eventually won the match 6–5.
The Devils led the match 5–2 even before the third period, but the Canucks got even in the third period. The decision of the match was seen only 35 seconds before the end of the actual playing time, when Jesper Bratt sealed the away team’s victory with his second goal.
With the win, New Jersey got back to winning ways after one loss.
Granlund hit the game-winning hit
The Finns were well represented in San Jose’s away win over the New York Islanders. Mikael Granlund initially two goals and Kaapo Kähkönen made 33/37 saves in a 5–4 overtime win.
Granlund was strongly involved with the Swede by William Eklund in the game-winning shot that came 4.3 seconds before the end of overtime. Granlund caught the puck in his own defensive zone, pedaled the puck into Islanders’ territory and left the puck to Eklund.
– I have to admit that I was completely exhausted in the situation. I was just trying to get up to speed, but Granlund cheated the situation for me wonderfully, Eklund, who shot the puck in from Granlund’s feet, summed it up.
Granlund also scored his team’s third goal. The Finn now has 2+11 points from this season, he has been the second most effective attacker in his team. Granlund’s early season was sticky, but now he has started to find some power, because in the last six games he has added up a balance of 2+7.
Sharks had a bad tooth in the match Tomas Hertl, who scored his sixth career hat trick. Hertl has been San Jose’s best scorer this season.
The victory was only the sixth of the season for the Sharks, who rallied from a 1–4 deficit in the third set. For only the third time in their club history, the Sharks came from three goals down in the third period to equalize and eventually win.
– An incredible victory. We showed mental strength today, just like we have shown in the past. Let’s keep taking it to the next level. We never give up and we stick together. That’s a great recipe for winning hockey games, San Jose coach David Quinn glowed.
Saros triple star, Laine got sick
The Nashville Predators also got a taste of victory Juuso Pärssinen (0+1) and Juuse Saros (25/28 saves). Nashville claimed a 4–3 victory over Chicago after a game-winning field goal contest. Saros was chosen as the three star of the struggle.
The Columbus Blue Jackets lost to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime with 3–4 goals. Columbus led the match after two sets 3–0, but Los Angeles came close in the final set and Drew Doughty decided the victory in overtime.
Columbus got into the match without its Finnish striker Patrik Laine. The Tappara native was left out of the match at the last minute due to illness.
The results of the NHL round:
Ottawa–NY Rangers 6–2
Columbus to Los Angeles and 3–4
Buffalo–Detroit 3–5
NY Islanders–San Jose and 4-5
SJS: Granlund 0+2, Kähkönen 33/37 save.
Chicago–Nashville vl 3–4
NSH: Pärssinen 0+1, Saros 25/28 saves.
Calgary–Minnesota 2–5
Colorado–Anaheim 3–2
Vancouver–New Jersey 5–6
NJD: Haula 1+0