“He was doing what he felt was best for himself business-wise and personal-wise.”
Seth Curry says Ben Simmons “doesn’t need to apologize to anybody” — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Khem Birch will start in Anunoby’s place, with Thad Young playing a key role off the bench. Nurse said Young has picked things up quickly (“you can tell he’s been around”) and will be “vitally important” with OG out (with a broken finger).
·
GAME #58 – TORONTO RAPTORS (32-25) at CHARLOTTE HORNETS (29-31)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 – 7 P.M. (ET) – SPECTRUM CENTER
TV: TSN – RADIO: SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN
The Toronto Raptors (32-25) begin a three-game road trip Friday night against the Charlotte Hornets (29-
31) at Spectrum Center. The Raptors start the second half of the season at 32-25, having already surpassed their win total from last season of 27 victories. Tonight marks the third and final regular season
meeting between these two teams, with Toronto winning the first two. Gary Trent Jr. is averaging a team-high 28.0 points against the Hornets this year.
• The Raptors defeated Minnesota 103-91 in their final game before the All-Star break, and have now won
nine of their last 11 games (Jan. 29 – Feb. 16). During this stretch, the Raptors are shooting .464 (469-
1011) from the field and .398 (148-372) from three-point range. Toronto is +22 (137-to-115) on the offensive glass over the last 11 and currently ranks second (13.1) in the NBA in offensive boards per game.
• Gary Trent Jr. scored a team-high 30 points and added four rebounds and two assists Feb. 16 at Minnesota. Trent Jr. has now tallied 30+ points with five-or-more made three-pointers eight times this season,
just one shy of Pascal Siakam’s single-season franchise record of nine games set during the 2019-2020
campaign. Trent Jr. (8), Fred VanVleet (8), Pascal Siakam (7) and OG Anunoby (1) have all scored 30+
points this season – the Raptors are 19-4 in games when they have at least one player score 30-or-more.
• Fred VanVleet has scored 20+ points in a career-high seven straight games played (Feb. 1-14), averaging
22.0 points and shooting .457 (32-70) from three-point range during this span. He sat out Feb. 10 at Houston with left groin soreness and Feb. 16 at Minnesota with a right knee contusion. VanVleet has made
201 threes this season – third most in a season in Raptors history; behind only Kyle Lowry (238 in 2017-
18 & 212 in 2015-16). VanVleet has connected on 5+ threes in a franchise record 18 games this season.
• Pascal Siakam is currently averaging 21.9 points, and career highs of 8.7 rebounds and 5.2 assists, in 44
games this season. He is one of just five players in the NBA averaging 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0
assists, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, James Harden, and Nikola Jokic. No Raptor has
averaged 20-8-5 for an entire season.
• Rookie Scottie Barnes reached 700 career points Feb. 16 at Minnesota, becoming just the eighth Raptors
rookie to reach the milestone. Barnes (49 games) becomes the third fastest rookie to reach the 700-point
mark in franchise history, behind only Vince Carter (39 games) and Damon Stoudamire (38 games).
Barnes currently ranks fourth among rookies with 706 total points. He leads all first year players in minutes
per game (35.4), ranks third in rebounds (7.4) and fifth in both scoring (14.4) and assists (3.3).
• Reserves Precious Achiuwa (11) and Thaddeus Young (10) each scored in double figures Feb. 16 vs.
Minnesota. Toronto is now 7-1 this season in games when two or more reserves score 10+ points
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (33-14-4 – 70 Points) vs.
MINNESOTA WILD (31-15-3 – 65 Points)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2022
1 2 3 FINAL
MINNESOTA 0 1 0 1
TORONTO 0 1 2 3
SCORING NOTES
2021-22 Matchups vs. Minnesota: Second of Two
2021-22 Record vs. Minnesota: 0-0-1
Toronto Season Record: 32-14-4
Toronto Home Record: 18-5-1
TV: TSN4 RADIO: TSN 1050
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
February 21, 2022
The Maple Leafs acquired goaltender Carter Hutton from Arizona in
exchange for future considerations.
February 21, 2022
The San Jose Sharks claimed forward Ryan Dzingel off waivers from
Toronto.
February 19, 2022
The Maple Leafs acquired forward Ryan Dzingel and defenceman Ilya
Lyubushkin from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Nick
Ritchie and choice of Toronto’s third-round selection in 2023 or second-round selection in 2025.
LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 3 at Columbus 4 – OTL
Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2022
TOR Goals: Bunting, Matthews, Spezza
CBJ Goals: Laine (2x), Boqvist, Gaunce
TOR Goaltender: Campbell, 26/30, .867 SV%
CBJ Goaltender: Berube, 39/42, .929 SV%
TOR Power Play: 0-for-3
TOR Penalty Kill: 1-for-2
Team Notes:
NEXT GAME
Date: Saturday, February 26, 2022
Opponent: at Detroit Red Wings
Time: 7:30 pm ET
Broadcast Information: Sportsnet (TV), Sportsnet 590 (Radio)
INJURY REPORT
Jake Muzzin Concussion Protocol
ALL-TIME VS. MINNESOTA WILD:
First Matchup between Clubs: October 25, 2000 (Toronto 6 vs. Minnesota 1)
All-Time Record: 12-11-0-2 (25 Games)
All-Time Record at Home: 8-5-0-0 (13 Games)
All-Time Record on the Road: 4-6-0-2 (12 Games)
Last Home Win vs. Opponent: October 15, 2019 (Toronto 4 vs. Minnesota 2)
Record in Last Five Games: 3-1-1
Record in Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
ACTIVE LEADERS VS. MINNESOTA WILD:
Games Played: Jason Spezza (32), Wayne Simmonds (30), TJ Brodie (30)
Goals: John Tavares (8), Wayne Simmonds (7), Jason Spezza (7)
Assists: Wayne Simmonds (13), Morgan Rielly (13), Jason Spezza (11)
Points: Wayne Simmonds (20), Jason Spezza (18), John Tavares (17)
Penalty Minutes: Wayne Simmonds (28), TJ Brodie (16), Alexander Kerfoot (10)
2021-22 AVERAGES AND RANKINGS
Points % GF/Game GA/Game PP% PK% SF/G SA/G FO%
Toronto .680 3.54 2.80 30.4% 84.3% 34.9 30.6 55.9%
Minnesota .677 3.79 3.00 20.8% 79.0% 32.5 32.7 47.8%
THE MAN ADVANTAGE IN 2021-22
Power Play: 42/138 (30.4%)
Power Play Goal Leader: 12 – Matthews
Power Play Point Leader: 22 – Matthews (12G, 10A)
2020-21 Power Play: 31/155 (20.0%)
ON THE PK IN 2021-22
Penalty Kill: 118/140 (84.3%)
Shorthanded Goal Leader: 2 – Kämpf, Marner, Mikheyev
Shorthanded Point Leader: 3 – Marner (2G, 1A), Kämpf (2G, 1A)
2020-21 Penalty Kill: 113/144 (78.5%)
FAST FACTS
Thursday games 7th of 13 (9 home, 4 road)
Back-to-Backs played 8 of 13
Record in first game of back-to-back 4-3-1
Record in second game of back-to-back 3-4-1
February games 10th of 12 (4 home, 8 road)
UPCOMING MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Seven points away from 300 career NHL points
Mitch Marner Four games away from 400 career NHL games played
Jake Muzzin Nine points away from 300 career NHL points
Wayne Simmonds Five games away from 1,000 career NHL games played
2021-22 MILESTONES
TJ Brodie Appeared in his 700th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
TJ Brodie Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 14, 2021 at EDM
Jack Campbell Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 16, 2021 vs. NSH
Pierre Engvall Appeared in his 100th career NHL game, Nov. 2, 2021 vs. VGK
Ondrej Kaše Recorded his 100th career NHL point, Nov. 10, 2021 at PHI
Ondrej Kaše Scored his 50th career NHL goal, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Alexander Kerfoot Appeared in his 300th career NHL game, Nov. 26, 2021 at SJS
Alexander Kerfoot Recorded his 100th career NHL assist, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
Timothy Liljegren Scored his first career NHL goal, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL
Auston Matthews Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Jan. 31, 2022 vs. NJD
Auston Matthews Recorded his 200th career NHL goal, Oct. 25, 2021 at CAR
Mitch Marner Recorded his 400th career NHL point, Feb. 14, 2022 at SEA
Ilya Mikheyev Skated in his 100th career NHL game, Jan. 15, 2022 at STL
William Nylander Skated in his 400th career NHL game, Feb. 1, 2022 at NJD
William Nylander Recorded his 300th career NHL point, Jan. 19, 2022 at NYR
Morgan Rielly Recorded his 250th career NHL assist, Oct. 27, 2021 at CHI
Morgan Rielly Skated in his 600th career NHL game, Dec. 9, 2021 vs. TBL
Wayne Simmonds Skated in his 950th career NHL game, Oct. 16, 2021 vs. OTT
Jason Spezza Skated in his 1,200th career NHL game, Nov. 28, 2021 at ANA
John Tavares Recorded his 200th point with the Maple Leafs, Oct. 18, 2021 vs. NYR
John Tavares Scored his 100th goal with the Maple Leafs, Nov. 13, 2021 at BUF
John Tavares Skated in his 900th career NHL game, Jan. 1, 2022 vs. OTT
MINNESOTA WILD
UPCOMING GAMES (all times Central)
2/26 at CGY 9 p.m. – BSN, KFAN 100.3 FM
3/1 vs. CGY 7 p.m. – BSN+, KFAN 100.3 FM
3/3 at PHI 6 p.m. – BSN, KFAN 100.3 FM
INJURIES
Matt Dumba (lower body) – 5
Mats Zuccarello (upper body) – 1
2021-22 Total Man Games Lost: 95
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Jordan Greenway – 99 career points
Dmitry Kulikov – 191 career points
Jared Spurgeon – 740 career games; 3 shy of tying Nick Schultz for all-time GP by Wild defensemen (743)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
2/23 – Recalled F Mason Shaw from Iowa (AHL)
SERIES NOTES VS. MAPLE LEAFS
All-Time Wild Record: 13-12-0 (8-4-0 at Xcel Energy Center, 5-8-0 at Toronto)
2021-22: Minnesota earned a 4-3 shootout win against Toronto in its first season meeting at Xcel Energy Center (12/4)…C Joel Eriksson Ek led the
Wild with two assists…LW Marcus Foligno, LW Jordan Greenway and RW Mats Zuccarello each netted a goal…G Cam Talbot stopped 39-of-42
shots…D Morgan Rielly (0-3=3) and C Jason Spezza (2-1=3) scored three points apiece…C Auston Matthews collected two points (1-1=2)…G Jack
Campbell made 37 saves.
WILD LEADERS: Zuccarello leads the Wild with 23 points (11-12=23) in 20 contests against Toronto…D Dmitry Kulikov owns 12 points (5-7=12) in 29
games…D Alex Goligoski has 11 assists in 24 matches…Foligno owns 12 points (4-8=12) in 29 contests…C Nick Bjugstad has 10 points (6-4=10) in
22 games.
WILD GOALIES: G Cam Talbot is 5-2-1 with a 2.80 GAA and a .909 SV% in nine games (eight starts) vs. the Maple Leafs…G Kaapo Kahkonen has
not faced Toronto.
MAPLE LEAFS LEADERS: RW Wayne Simmonds leads the Maple Leafs with 20 points (7-13=20) in 30 career games against Minnesota…C John
Tavares owns 17 points (8-9=17) in 18 matches…Spezza has 18 points (7-11=18) in 32 contests.
MAPLE LEAFS GOALIES: G Petr Mrazek is 3-2-0 with a 2.38 GAA and a .917 SV% in five starts vs. the Wild…G Jack Campbell is 0-2-1 with a 2.31
GAA and a .920 SV% in three starts.
CONNECTIONS: Wild Assistant Coach Darby Hendrickson was selected by Toronto in the 1990 NHL Draft and skated in 233 games with the Maple
Leafs (1994-99)…D Justin Holl hails from Tonka Bay and skated in four seasons with the University of Minnesota (2010-14).
FAST FACTS: Minnesota is 10-4-0 in its last 14 games against Toronto, including a seven-game win streak (11/13/13-12/7/16)…The Wild has scored
one goal or less in eight of its 12 all-time losses to the Maple Leafs…In its 12 wins, Minnesota has outscored Toronto, 42-20, including two Wild shootout
goals.
TOTAL TEAM EFFORT
LAVAL ROCKET (22-15-3-0 – 47 Points) vs.
TORONTO MARLIES (23-14-3-1 – 50 Points)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2022
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | FINAL | |
| LAVAL | 3 | 0 | 3 | – | 6 |
| TORONTO | 2 | 0 | 2 | – | 4 |
GAME SUMMARY | GAME SHEET | PHOTOS | SCRUMS
SCORING SUMMARY
Laval: T. Dello (3) (S. Niku), R. Harvey-Pinard (8) (J. Dea, J. Ylonen), X. Ouellet (5) (Unassisted), A. Fortin (4) (S. St. Amant, T. Paquette-Bisson), J. Teasdale (3) (R. Harvey-Pindard), R. Harvey-Pinard (9) SH, EN (Unassisted)
Goaltender: C. Primeau (30/34) W
Toronto: K. Clifford (3) (A. Steeves), J. Kopacka (5) (C. Douglas, A. Biega), A. Steeves (15) PP (B. Seney, J. Duszak), M. Hollowell (4) (A. Steeves, N. Robertson)
Goaltender: J. Woll (30/35) L
ON THE SCORESHEET
OF NOTE
| RECORD WHEN Not scoring first 6-13-2-0 Trailing after 1 6-11-1-0 Trailing after 2 2-11-1-0 At home 12-6-2-1 February 4-2-1-0 Wednesday 4-4-0-1 | MARLIES LEADERS *Amongst active players Goals 17 (J. Anderson) Assists 27 (J. Duszak) Points 38 (B. Seney) PPG 6 (J. Anderson) Shots 99 (B. Seney) +/- +12 (B. Seney) PIMS 57 (R. Clune) |
POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH GREG MOORE
On the final Laval goal:
Coming back in the d-zone, we just need a better sorts and structure. In chaos moments like that, the energy or feel of the game is heightened. The experience and maturity of staying calm, seeing the game clearly, knowing our responsibilities. We just needed a better job of coming back and finding our spots there.
On Alex Steeves:
He’s done a great job (adjusting to professional hockey). Sometimes it’s not easy to be a first-year pro, especially from college when you’re playing two games on the weekends. He’s feeling the length of a pro season, the amount of games that we play. We have a big month coming up with a lot of games. Just the day-to-day management of your routine, your habits and taking care of your body, the recovery process. He’s handled it well, not just himself but a lot of our guys. Through January we had a big stretch of games, whether it was the COVID break or different things happening, we got through that tough stretch and now we’re in a little bit of a better place.
On Joseph Woll’s first game returning from injury:
Good. It was a tough one. They did a really good job at setting up the o-zone and just relying on point shots. It’s never easy for a goalie. I think most coaches in the game of hockey say get to the eyes of the goalie and be the screen. They made it really hard on us today, but he fought through a lot and made some good saves.
ALEX STEEVES (1 GOAL, 2 ASSISTS)
On Laval’s final goal:
We just got the shot blocked as we’re trying to get pucks to the net. Before the timeout, we got a really good look, a look that we wanted and the goalie made a really nice save and that’s kind of how it goes. The goalie makes a big save at a big time and we weren’t able to tie it up, so definitely frustrated but we had some good looks at the end. It’s tough being on the power play with the net empty. It’s kind of a high risk, high reward and they had a great block and they were able to get it in. It’s frustrating but I think we were getting some chances there and we just got the short end of the stick.
UPCOMING GAMES:
*All times Eastern Standard Time
February 26 at Rochester – 2:35 p.m.
February 27 vs. Rochester – 4:00 p.m.
March 2 vs. Abbotsford – 7:00 p.m.
March 5 at Cleveland – 7:00 p.m.
March 6 at Cleveland – 12:00 p.m.
New York mayor Eric Adams called his city’s coronavirus-vaccine mandate – which barred unvaccinated Kyrie Irving from playing Nets home games – “unfair.”
New York mayor plans to lift vaccine mandate in coming weeks, allowing Kyrie Irving to play Nets home games — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
Coach J.B. Bickerstaff after practice Feb. 23 sounded optimistic about Markkanen being back with the team on Feb. 24 when the season resumes in a game with the Pistons in Detroit.
Signs point to Lauri Markkanen returning for Cavaliers against Pistons Feb. 24 — News-Herald
What started with high hopes is ending with Kemba Walker being paid not to play the remainder of this season, setting up an offseason trade. The Knicks and Walker have agreed the point guard will sit out the final 23 games of the season, work on getting his knees healthy, and both the Knicks and
Kemba Walker to be sidelined for remainder of Knicks season — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (32-14-4 – 68 Points) at
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (26-23-1 – 53 Points)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022
1 2 3 OT FINAL
TORONTO 1 1 1 0 3
COLUMBUS 0 1 2 1 4
SCORING NOTES
2021-22 Matchups vs. Columbus: Second of Three
2021-22 Record vs. Columbus: 1-0-0
Next Game vs. Columbus: Monday, March 7 at Columbus
Toronto Season Record: 32-14-3
Toronto Road Record: 14-9-2
TV: Sportsnet RADIO: Sportsnet 590
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
February 19, 2022
The Maple Leafs acquired forward Ryan Dzingel and defenceman Ilya
Lyubushkin from the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Nick
Ritchie and choice of Toronto’s third-round selection in 2023 or second-round selection in 2025.
LAST GAME
Score: Toronto 2 at Montréal 5
Date: Monday, February 21, 2022
TOR Goals: Mikheyev, Engvall
MTL Goals: Anderson (2x), Caufield, Hoffman, Pitlick
TOR Goaltender: Mrazek, 19/24, .792 SV%
MTL Goaltender: Montembeault, 35/37, .946 SV%
TOR Power Play: 0-for-2
TOR Penalty Kill: 2-for-2
Team Notes:
THE LAST GAME: FEB. 20, 2022 – CBJ 7 vs BUF 3
CBJ Goal Scorers: Kukan (2), Jenner (21), Kukan (3), Werenski (8), Gaunce (2), EN – Nyquist (13), Danforth (3)
BUF Goal Scorers: Pysyk (2), Thompson (20), Okposo (12)
Goalies: CBJ – Berube (33/36; 60:00); BUF– Anderson (32/38; 59:00)
CBJ PP: 0/2; PK: 1/1 | Shots: CBJ: 39 / BUF: 36
3 Stars: 1. Kukan, CBJ; 2. Gaunce, CBJ; 3. Berube, CBJ
Noteworthy: CBJ won 2nd consecutive game… CBJ scored 7 goals in back-to-back games for 1st time in club history… Berube earned victory in CBJ
debut and 1st NHL action since 4/6/18… Gaunce collected 1st career multi-assist and 3-point game (1-2-3)… Kukan notched 1st career 2-goal and 3-
point game (2-1-3)… Laine stretched points streak to 9-straight (10-8-18) with 2 assists… Werenski scored a goal to extend his points streak to 5-
straight (2-4-6).
OhioHEALTH INJURY REPORT
Tarasov (lower body); Placed on Injured Reserve (1/4); out indefinitely (19 games)
Texier (fractured finger); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to 1/26); 4 weeks (9 games)
Bean (groin strain); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to 1/30); 4 weeks (7 games)
Robinson (MCL strain right knee); Placed on Injured Reserve (retro to 1/31); 6 weeks (6 games)
Korpisalo (lower body); day-to-day (2 games)
Merzlikins (lower body); day-to-day (1 game)
TOTAL MAN GAMES LOST: 184
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Feb. 20 Signed Greaves to 3-year entry level contract through 2023-24 season
Feb. 19 Activated Danforth off IR and assigned Fix-Wolansky to Cleveland (AHL)
Feb. 16 Added Berube to the roster on emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL)
Feb. 11 Assigned Meyer to Cleveland (AHL)
AGAINST THE MAPLE LEAFS
2021-22 Series: 0-1-0 (0-0-0 vs. TOR)
2020-21 Series: Did Not Play
2019-20 Series: 1-1-0 (0-1-0 vs. TOR)
All-Time Series: 15-15-1-0 (6-8-0-0 vs. TOR)
Last 10 (Overall | Home): 5-5-0 | 5-5-0
All-Time GF/GA: 90/96
All-Time SF/SA: 971/936
All-Time PP: 18-of-100
All-Time PK: 76-of-93
THE LAST GAME VS. TOR: DEC. 7, 2021 – CBJ 4 at TOR 5
CBJ Goal Scorers: PP – Bjorkstrand (7), Bjorkstrand (8), Kuraly (5), Domi (4)
TOR Goal Scorers: PP – Nylander (11), Matthews (16), Ritchie (1), PP – Tavares (12), Matthews (17)
Goalies: CBJ – Merzlikins (25/30, 39:35), Tarasov (10/10, 17:06); TOR – Campbell (28/32, 60:00)
CBJ PP: 1/2; PK: 2/3 | Shots: CBJ: 32 / TOR: 40
3 Stars: 1. Rielly, TOR; 2. Matthews, TOR; 3. Bjorkstrand, CBJ
Noteworthy: CBJ trailed 5-1 going into the 3rd period, but scored final 3 goals… Bjorkstrand recorded his 2nd multi-goal of the season… Kuraly scored
a goal for 2nd-straight game.
SEASON SERIES LEFT: Mar. 7 at CBJ
CBJ/TOR CONNECTIONS
CBJ: McRae (Beaverton), who played in four games for TOR (1983-85), served as GM of London Knights from 2014-16)… Legace (Toronto), Danforth
(Oshawa), Gaunce (Sudbury), Greaves (Cambridge) and Jenner (Dorchester) were all born in Ontario.
Columbus Blue Jackets: Media Notes
NOTED (Team Highlights vs. TOR)
The teams met in the 2020 Stanley Cup Qualifying Round with the Blue Jackets winning the series 3-2… Road team is 3-1-0 in the last 4 games of the
series… CBJ are 8-6-0 since 1/13/16, but TOR has earned victories in 5 of the last 7 meetings since 2/14/18… Winning team has scored 3+ goals in 18-
straight games and 4-plus in each of the last 7 meetings… CBJ have both shutouts (MR: Bobrovsky, 4/8/15) in all-time series… Most goals scored vs.
TOR: 5 – 3x (MR: 2/15/17)… Most goals allowed vs. TOR: 6 – 2x (MR: 10/16/15).
NOTED (Player Highlights vs. TOR)
Carlsson notched his 1st NHL point (assist) on 4/9/17 at TOR… Domi tallied his 100th NHL career assist on 10/3/18 at TOR… Voracek played his 500th
NHL game on 1/31/15 vs. TOR.
HOW THE JACKETS WERE BUILT (Active: 24, Injured Reserve: 4)
Drafted (13): Bemstrom, Bjorkstrand, Carlsson, Chinakhov, Gavrikov, Jenner, Korpisalo, Merzlikins, Peeke, Sillinger, Tarasov (IR), Texier (IR),
Werenski
Trade (6): Bean (IR), Boqvist, Domi, Laine, Roslovic, Voracek
Free Agent (9): Bayreuther, Berube, Danforth, Gaunce, Greaves, Kukan, Kuraly, Nyquist, Robinson (IR)
BLUE JACKETS NOTES
BACK AT NATIONWIDE ARENA
Columbus concluded a season-long five-game road trip (Feb. 7-17) with a 7-4 victory on Thursday at Chicago. The club went 4-1-0 on the road trip that
also had stops at Washington (5-4; W), Buffalo (4-3; OTW), Montreal (2-1; W) and Calgary (6-2; L). The club has won seven of its last nine road outings
since Jan. 13 and five of the last six games overall. On Sunday, the Blue Jackets returned to Nationwide Arena with a 7-3 victory vs. Buffalo. It’s the first
time in club history that CBJ have scored seven goals in back-to-back games. Columbus plays one more game at home on Tuesday vs. Toronto before
playing back-to-back games on the road (FLA on Thu. and CAR on Fri.).
COMEBACK JACKETS
The Blue Jackets have earned their victories this season with the club coming back at some point in the game in 15 of their 25 wins, including five of
their last seven victories. The 15 comeback victories are tied for the third-most in the NHL. The club’s six wins when trailing heading into the second
period are tied for the NHL lead (FLA). Columbus also has five multi-goal comeback victories this season (Nov. 3 at COL, Nov. 15 vs. DET, Jan. 27 vs.
NYR, Feb. 8 at WSH and Feb. 10 at BUF).
PUTTING PUCKS IN THE NET
Columbus has been able to fill the back of the net this season, averaging 3.27 goals-per-game through 49 contests. The club ranks second in the NHL in
scoring since Jan. 27 (4.67 avg., 42 goals total) with the 42 goals the most in franchise history through any nine-game stretch (previously 40, Mar. 19-
Apr. 3, 2018). Columbus has scored three-plus goals in 29 of its contests (includes SO goals) and is 20-3-0 when scoring four goals or more in a contest
this season. CBJ, who averaged 2.39 goals-a-game in 2020-21, have twice finished a campaign averaging better than three goals a game (club record
3.12 avg. in 2018-19 and 3.01 avg. in 2016-17).
LAINE HOT STEAK
Laine collected multiple points for the third time in the last four games with two assists on Sunday. He has posted points in nine-straight games (10-8-
18), the second longest points streak of his career (15 games in 2017-18) and fifth-T longest in franchise history. He leads the NHL in goals and points
since the streak started on Jan. 27. The 23-year-old forward (166-138-304, 380 GP) recorded his ninth career hat trick in Thursday’s win at Chicago and
became the third player from the 2016 NHL Draft to reach 300 career points (Auston Matthews with 410 and Matthew Tkachuk with 332). It was his first
hat trick since Feb. 8, 2020 while with Winnipeg. Since he entered the League in 2016-17, only three players have notched more performances of threeplus goals: Alex Ovechkin (13), David Pastrnak (11) and Connor McDavid (10).
JENNERATING RESULTS
Boone Jenner recorded his ninth multi-point effort of the campaign vs. Buffalo (1-1-2). He has 3-6-9 in the last six games and has recorded 9-10-19 with
five multi-point efforts in the last 17 contests. The 28-year-old captain is the first CBJ player to reach 20 goals this season and leads the club in goals,
points and PPG with 21-18-39 and 7 PPG in 49 appearances. He is on pace to set single-season career highs in both goals and points (30-19-49 in 82
GP in 2015-16). His 142 career goals are tied with Nick Foligno for the third-most in club history.
ZACH ATTACK
Zach Werenski scored his eighth goal of the campaign on Sunday to extend his points streak to five consecutive games (2-4-6) and has 2-8-10 in his
last 11 games. He has been heavily counted on as the club’s top defenseman this season, ranking 5th in the NHL in TOI/GP with 26:04. The 24-year-old
skated in his 2nd All-Star Game on Feb. 5, helping the Metropolitan Division win the title. At 220 career points (73-147-220, 382 GP), he is three points
shy of tying Seth Jones (50-173-223, 381 GP) for the most career points by a blueliner in franchise history.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
•Bjorkstrand is 2 goals from 100 for his NHL career
•Domi is 1 goal from 100 and 1 point from 300 for his NHL career
2021-22 TEAM QUICK HITS
•CBJ are 8-0-1 in OT/SO this season (3-1 in SO) with the club leading the NHL in W% (.889) and 2 off the League-lead in wins
•CBJ have scored a PPG in 4 of the last 6 games (5-of-14; 35.7 pct.), ranking 3rd in the NHL since 2/8
•CBJ have killed off 44-of-50 opponent PP chances over the last 17 games and rank 4th-T in the NHL in PK pct. since 1/8 (88.0 pct.)
•CBJ rank 4th-T in the NHL in goals with 28 and 11th in the NHL in points (114) by defensemen after combining for 3-3-6 vs. BUF
•CBJ boast 6 30-point scorers on the team, tied for 4th-most in the NHL (STL) and trailing only FLA (9) as well as COL/TOR (7)
2021-22 PLAYER QUICK HITS
•Bjorkstrand has points in 5 of the last 6 games (3-2-5)
•Gavrikov recorded his 20th assist of the season on Sun. and has 0-4-4 in the last 5 contests
•Nyquist has 3-7-10 in the last 9 games and 9-12-21 with 7 multi-point outings in 22 games since 12/16
•Peeke has played 21+ minutes in each of the last 15 games since 1/13 (avg. 24:22)
•Voracek, who has 1-6-7 in the last 7 games, ranks 6th-T in the NHL in primary assists (25) and leads the club in assists overall (32)
CBJ 2021-22 TEAM GAME HIGHS
GOALS: 8 (10/14 vs ARI)… GOALS AGAINST: 9 (1/15 at FLA)… PPG: 2 – 4x (MR: 2/8 at WSH)… PPGA: 3 – 2x (MR: 1/4 vs TBL)… SHOTS: 46 (11/18
at ARI)… SHOTS AGAINST: 62 (1/26 vs CGY)… PIM: 22 (10/14 vs ARI)… HITS: 33 (1/31 vs FLA)… FOW: 40 (11/20 at VGK)… BKS: 21 – 3x (MR: 2/17
at CHI)
CBJ 2021-22 PLAYER SEASON HIGHS
GOALS: 3, Laine (2/17 at CHI)… ASSISTS: 3 – 2x, Werenski (MR:1/27 vs NYR)… POINTS: 4, Bjorkstrand (10/14 vs ARI)… HITS: 9, Kuraly (10/16 vs
SEA)… PLUS/MINUS RATING: +4 – 3x, MR: Gavrikov (1/13 at CAR)… SOG: 10, Werenski (11/6 vs COL)… TOI: 33:03 – Werenski (10/31 at NJD)…
SAVES: 56, Merzlikins (1/26 vs CGY, 62 shots
With Ben Simmons and James Harden traded for each other, the NBA’s two big disgruntled-star dramas have settled (seemingly).
Report: NBA teams eying Zion Williamson, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell as next stars to push for trade — ProBasketballTalk | NBC Sports
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (32-14-3 – 67 Points) at
MONTRÉAL CANADIENS (11-33-7 – 29 Points)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2022
1 2 3 FINAL
TORONTO 0 0 2 2
MONTRÉAL 2 3 0 5
SCORING NOTES
The view from left field 