New York. Elias Pettersson’s record season just got a lot shinier.
He scored two more goals in a game victory against Chicago tonight and is now tied for seventh in NHL scoring – with 93 points.
– As a really big player, Petit can score two goals even if it’s been a less-than-good night, says Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet.
Such is the case with the Vancouver Canucks this year. They had a miserable fall, finishing so far back, and with nine games left in the regular season, they lack realistic chances of a new playoff spot.
But in the midst of this misery, blue-and-yellow star Elias Peterson is completing the best season of his NHL career to date. He beat his personal best in points – 68 – long ago and now looks like he could become the first Swede to reach the hundred points since Daniel Sedin scored 104 twelve years ago.
When Vancouver beat Chicago 4-2 at the United Center last night, he scored two more goals – one of which came after a very close applause sequence in the third period. In doing so, he now totaled 35 goals and 93 points. Which means he leads the Swedish league in scoring and shares seventh place in the all-scoring league with Nathan McKinnon.
– “Petit” is the real winner of the game, says coach Rick Tocchet when he meets the media after the final whistle in Chicago.
The thing is, I wasn’t very happy with his or the team’s play for large parts of this match. But like all really great players, he can score two goals even if it’s been a less than good night.
Due to minor injuries and illness, the Boston Bruins had to dispense with Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand and Hampus Lindholm in a difficult meeting with Carolina in Raleigh, but they won 4-3 (after a penalty shootout), because David Pasternak played and he was two goals away from breaking the barrier 50 goals for the first time in his NHL career.
– It’s a great feeling, I’m happy to share this achievement with the guys on this team.
Due to all the injuries, Oscar Steen was called up from the farm team and played his first game with the Bruins of the season.
Injury-stricken Nashville stood up well against Toronto at home at the Bridgestone Arena, but were ultimately beaten 3-2.
Captain John Tavares scored twice for the visitors.