Rafael Harvey-Pinard electrified the Bell Centre with his first career hat trick as the Montreal Canadiens routed the Columbus Blue Jackets 8-2 on Saturday.

Nick Suzuki had one goal and three assists while Mike Hoffman scored one goal and added two assists. Jesse Ylonen and Brendan Gallagher both picked up one goal and one assist. Alex Belzile also scored for Montreal while Mike Matheson collected three helpers.

Sam Montembeault made 20 saves as the Canadiens (29-38-6) recorded back-to-back home wins.

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::before {
content: “”;
position: absolute;
top: 45%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
height: 0px;
border-top: 14px solid transparent;
border-left: 22px solid #fff;
border-bottom: 14px solid transparent;
margin-left: 3px;
}

Lane Pederson and Kirill Marchenko scored for the Blue Jackets (23-42-7), who failed to record their first three-game win streak of the season.

Elvis Merzlikins made 16 saves before leaving the game with an injury with 2:58 remaining in the second period. In relief, Michael Hutchinson made five saves.

The Blue Jackets took only 1:32 to score the game’s first goal. Kent Johnson located Pederson in front of the net with a backhand pass and the forward completed the one-timer.

The Canadiens responded just over two minutes later. Hoffman, sporting a full-face visor after receiving a cross-check to the face from A.J. Greer in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, beat Merzlikins with a wrist shot.

Montreal took its first lead of the game at 9:43 of the first. Ylonen took advantage of Brendan Gallagher’s screen in front of the net to send a wrist shot from atop the left faceoff circle.

Marchenko took a shot from a tight angle over Montembeault’s shoulder to tie the game but the net was knocked loose in the process. After video review, it was determined that the puck had crossed the goal line before the net was dislodged and the goal was allowed.

Harvey-Pinard helped Montreal regain their lead with a second-period hat trick.

Immediately after the opening faceoff, Matheson rushed along the boards and drove to the net. Merzlikins made the save but Harvey-Pinard zoomed into the crease to tap in Montreal’s third goal.

Harvey-Pinard then bagged his second goal of the night with a wrister from the left faceoff circle.

Gallagher gave Montreal a 5-3 lead by finding his way in the slot amongst the five Jackets skaters. He accepted Ylonen’s pass from behind the net to notch the one-timer.

Harvey-Pinard completed his hat trick before the end of the second. The winger redirected Hoffman’s pass past Merzlikins and the hats rained on the ice for the Saguenay, Que., native’s first hat trick.

Montreal added a seventh goal in the final frame when Belzile’s pass for Chris Tierney on the rush deflected off Columbus defenceman Andrew Peeke and into the net.

.acf-block-preview .br-video-thumbnail::before {
content: “”;
position: absolute;
top: 45%;
left: 50%;
transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-moz-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-ms-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-o-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
-webkit-transform: translate3d(-50%, -50%, 0);
width: 20px;
height: 0px;
border-top: 14px solid transparent;
border-left: 22px solid #fff;
border-bottom: 14px solid transparent;
margin-left: 3px;
}

Suzuki completed his four-point night by piercing through Columbus’ zone and beating Hutchinson with a wrist shot from the slot.

INJURY REPORT

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins left the game with an injury in the second period. The Latvian appeared to have suffered the injury while attempting to make a save on the play resulting in Rafael Harvey-Pinard’s hat trick goal. Micheal Hutchinson took over in relief.

EMERGENCY RECALL

The Columbus Blue Jackets made two emergency recalls before Saturday’s game. Forward Trey Fix-Wolansky and defenceman Jake Christiansen were tapped in to replace the injured Mathieu Olivier and Erik Gudbranson, respectively. Fix-Wolansky played in his 11th NHL game while Christiansen skated in the 27th of his young career.

UP NEXT

The Canadiens head to Buffalo to play the Sabres on Monday.

The Blue Jackets visit the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

More from Sportsnet

Advertisement

32 Thoughts on HNIC: As Senators bidding continues, groups know they have to go higher

Jets’ wild card cushion takes a hit in loss to stifling Kings squad

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 20px;
}

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
color: black;
}

Source link

The Calgary Flames are pushing hard to sign 2021 first-rounder Matt Coronato, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman.

“The full-court press is on from the Flames,” Friedman said during Saturday’s 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada. “They have indicated very clearly that they want Coronato to join them.”

Calgary selected the right winger 13th overall in the 2021 NHL Draft. He has spent the past two seasons playing for Harvard University, where he’s totalled 38 goals and 72 points over 68 games. 

The 20-year-old native of Greenlawn, New York, tallied four goals and seven points while representing the United States at the 2022 world juniors.

“There still has to be a bit more conversation,” said Friedman. “The player has to make his choice but there is no doubt the Flames have let Coronato know that they are ready for him to come.”

Harvard was eliminated from the NCAA tournament following an 8-1 loss to Ohio State on Friday. With that, Coronato’s college teammate Sean Farrell is also garnering attention.  

The defenceman, who was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2020 draft, is “strongly considering turning pro and joining the Canadiens, but nothing official at this time,” according to Friedman.

The 21-year-old Farrell potted 30 goals and 81 points across 58 games during his two seasons at Harvard.

More from Sportsnet

32 Thoughts Podcast: Will Fanatics be a good fit for the NHL?

Montreal Canadiens Prospect Report: Looking at a bright future ahead

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
gap: 20px;
}

.acf-block-preview .br-related-links-wrapper a {
pointer-events: none;
cursor: default;
text-decoration: none;
color: black;
}

Source link

To say the least, this has been a chaotic season for the Brooklyn Nets.

It started last summer with Kevin Durant asking to be traded and rumors that Kyrie Irving also wanted to leave, and it continued in the fall when Irving promoted a film with antisemitic material on social media and with the firing of head coach Steve Nash.

Then both Durant and Irving were traded, triggering the start of a long-term rebuilding process.

Then there is the matter of Ben Simmons, the talented but enigmatic player who has played in just 42 games for the Nets since they traded for him last season.

He has been out for over a month with a back issue, and it was announced on Saturday that he will likely miss the rest of this season.

The Nets says Ben Simmons is unlikely to play the remainder of the season. pic.twitter.com/zH3mOyoNvr

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) March 25, 2023

Retire.

— ChanTHEman (@theman_chan) March 25, 2023

Advertisement

Worst contract in NBA history

— Mr. Re:LAX (@RelaxBash) March 25, 2023

Biggest fraud in NBA history

— $IMB2A (@GALSENFREAK91) March 25, 2023

I didn't realize he played at all this season.

— Andrew Wells (@acwells723) March 25, 2023

Historic fall off

— Taz (@Griff092) March 25, 2023

I forgot he was on the team

— BigK (@BIGKBK) March 26, 2023

Top 5 bust all time

— Zagreus (@1zagreus) March 25, 2023

Advertisement

When Simmons came into the NBA as the first pick in the 2016 draft, many felt he had superstar potential.

However, he never really improved his game, other than becoming one of the league’s better defenders.

He has never developed any ability or willingness to take, let alone make shots outside of the paint, and through it all, he has developed a reputation for being mentally weak.

After his Philadelphia 76ers fell apart in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals and lost in seven games, head coach Doc Rivers said he wasn’t sure if Simmons could be the point guard on a championship team.

The point guard reacted by demanding a trade and cut off almost all communication with the 76ers organization.

Until Simmons plays a full season for the Nets and performs well, many will continue to doubt his mental toughness and dedication to basketball.

The post NBA Fans React To Saturday’s Ben Simmons News appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source link