N.H.L. Takeaways From January

On the blue line, three potential Norris Trophy finalists tied for the high mark in scoring. Nashville’s Roman Josi, Washington’s John Carlson and St. Louis’s Alex Pietrangelo contributed 12 points apiece.

Entry-Level Contracts, Next-Level Production

In January, Blackhawks wing Dominik Kubalik had 10 goals, second among all players, and 14 points, first among rookies. Kubalik, 24, is a Czech player who starred in Switzerland’s top pro league last year. He was a seventh-round selection by Los Angeles, which traded him to Chicago for a fifth rounder. He has 21 goals over all.

Colorado defenseman Cale Makar, in nine games, and Vancouver defenseman Quentin Hughes, in 11 games, added eight points apiece to fuel their campaigns for the Calder Trophy.

In goal, Washington’s Sergei Samsonov and Columbus’s Elvis Merzlikins were lights-out in January. Samsonov was 6-0-0 with a 1.68 goals-against average and a .944 save percentage. Merzlikins was 8-2-0 with a 1.72 goals-against average and a .948 save percentage as he buoyed the Blue Jackets in the absence of the starter Joonas Korpisalo and a plethora of injured skaters.

A Showcase for Its Stars

The women’s world junior championships at the under-18 level were held in Slovakia and won by the United States, its fifth title in six tournaments.

The United States did not win a medal in the Czech Republic at the men’s under-20 tournament. Canada prevailed in the gold medal game with a frenetic rally against Russia that was capped by Akil Thomas’s daring game-winner. Thomas was one of nine prospects who competed in the tournament from the Kings’ system, the most representatives of any N.H.L. franchise. That was positive news for the Kings, who narrowly avoided having only one win in January by squeaking out an overtime victory in Arizona on Jan. 30. They tied the Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks for the lowest win total, two, in January.

At the N.H.L.’s All-Star weekend, Pastrnak took home most valuable player honors, though his Atlantic Division stars fell to the Pacific delegation in the three-on-three tournament’s final. In the skills competition, Islanders center Mathew Barzal upset Edmonton’s Connor McDavid in the fastest skater competition. For the first time, the league held an all-women’s hockey event, with representatives from the Canadian national team defeating members of the United States national team, 2-1. There were also women’s national team participants in the new “shooting stars” challenge, in which players shot from the stands at targets on the ice. Chicago right wing Patrick Kane won the challenge.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/03/sports/hockey/nhl-takeaways-january.html?emc=rss&partner=rss