
1) The Detroit Red Wings beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 meaning that right now Detroit is the 8th seed in the west and heading to playoffs! It was a game winning goal by Jordan Tootoo and an insurance goal by Johan Franzen that sealed the deal. Both the Red Wings and the Columbus Blue Jackets have two games remaining. Columbus is only back a point so depending on wins and loses the 8th seed is still up for grabs.
2) The Chicago Blackhawks sealed the deal and won the Presidents Trophy for the 2nd time ever in franchise history. It was possibly their record smashing 24 game point streak to start the season that had a lot to do with it or the fact they have only lost 6 games in regulation ALL season! Either way Captain Toews scored the opening goal. Chicago netminder Ray Emery let in one goal by Nail Yakupov and left with a lower body injury. Cory Crawford went into net and stopped the remainder of the shots. Patrick Kane scored the game winning goal. Both Toews and Kane scored their 22nd goals of the season! This is the 2nd time in franchise history the Blackhawks have won the Presidents Trophy. The 1st time it happened was in 1991. They went on to play the Minnesota North Stars(remember them?) in the 1st round and were booted out. Better luck this year Chicago with the amazing year they have had!
3) Sidney Crosby was injured back in March and was at the top of the points race with 56 when he took a puck to the face. Crosby's injury was sustained March 30th and it took till April 24th for someone to pass his 56 points. It happened in Tampa Bay. It was Martin St Louis that passed Crosby and St Louis did it in classic fashion with a hat trick! It was St Louis's 7th career hat trick! It was a 5-2 win for Tampa Bay and St Louis scored goals 2, 4 and 5! Interesting fact? Tampa Bay teammate Steven Stamkos tied Crosby's record with a goal and an assist in the same game so now the two scoring leaders are both not only teammates but often linemates! It was Martin St Louis that fed Stamkos the puck to help Stamkos get his 60 goals in single season last year!
4) Lastly one of the most entertaining call ups happened yesterday. Youngest Staal brother Jared was called up from the Charlotte Checkers to the Carolina Hurricanes to make his NHL debut! Interestingly his Captain will be eldest brother Eric and his linemate will be other brother Jordan and his opposing team will be other brother Marc's New York Rangers! The only bummer is Marc has been out with an eye injury since March so he won't be playing. I think it would be fun if Marc suited up for warm ups and flicked pucks at his youngest brother. You can bet Mum and Dad Staal will be in crowd cheering on their boys! I am soo watching this game!
And there you have it! The four most entertaining hockey facts from yesterday! Enjoy X