Top-5: Blood-curdling scene in Detroit involving Dylan Larkin

There was plenty of action yesterday in the National Hockey League, as 12 games took place in all four corners of the league.

Here are our picks for the day’s hockey action.

1. Horrific scene in Detroit involving Wings captain Dylan Larkin

Last night’s game between the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators featured a blood-curdling scene.

In the second half of the first period, while the Red Wings were on the power play, captain Dylan Larkin collapsed to the ground, unable to move after receiving simultaneous blows from Mathieu Joseph and Parker Kelly.

Here’s the scene in question.

Scary scene as Dylan Larkin lays motionless after a headshot from Joseph… he ends being helped off the ice. Hope he’s okay.

David Perron then cross-checks Zub directly in the face. Should be ejected. pic.twitter.com/ym9MANIyNZ

– Everyday Sens (@EverydaySens) December 10, 2023

It’s really chilling to see Larkin lying on the ground like that without moving, and reminds us of the Jake Evans – Mark Scheifele incident during the Montreal Canadiens’ 2021 series.

Here are some other angles of David Perron’s deliberate attempt to injure Artem Zub with a violent stick strike.

It’s understandable that he wants to defend his captain, but such a gesture is unacceptable. He was ejected from the game, and let’s see if he’ll be suspended.

In short, let’s hope it’s more fear than harm in Dylan Larkin’s case.

After all that, it was a hockey match won 5-1 by the Senators.

In defeat, Patrick Kane scored his first Red Wings goal.

DEBRINCAT TO KANE

Patrick Kane(@88PKane) has scored his first goal as a member of the @DetroitRedWings! pic.twitter.com/bnufRowcs2

– NHL (@NHL) December 10, 2023

2. 31-save shutout for Charlie Lindgren against the Rangers

The former Montreal Canadien has really found his niche with the Washington Capitals since last season.

At 29 years of age, Lindgren is playing his role as second goaltender behind Darcy Kuemper very well, and this is helping the Capitals to success this season.

Last night, Lindgren was on duty against one of the NHL’s top teams, the New York Rangers, and he was perfect, recording a 31-save shutout in a 4-0 Caps victory.

Charlie Lindgren stops ’em all with his second @pepsi shutout of the season as he and the @Capitals earn the 4-0 victory! pic.twitter.com/yHpAK6SsMP

– NHL (@NHL) December 10, 2023

It’s Lindgren’s second shutout of the season, though this one will have a special flavor given that he earned it against his brother, defenseman Ryan Lindgren.

Ryan & Charlie Lindgren first time playing against each other #NHL @Capitals vs. @NYRangers, did they play each other any other levels except knee hockey in basement? I’m not sure off top of my head. pic.twitter.com/Axz18Spy74

– Ben Hankinson (@BenHankinson) December 10, 2023

In short, Lindgren is having a great season with his 6-2-1 record, .931 save percentage and 2.34 goals-against average.

It always takes goalies a long time to develop.

3. Brandon Hagel makes a play for Nikita Kucherov’s winning goal

The Tampa Bay Lightning are having an up-and-down season, struggling to be as dominant as they have been in recent years.

Jon Cooper’s team is desperately fighting for a playoff spot, so every point is very important.

And Brandon Hagel understood this last night, when he went all out to serve Nikita Kucherov up on a silver platter in overtime for the extra point.

KUCHEROV ENDS IT!

Nikita Kucherov’s 19th goal of the season is the @Energizer overtime winner to seal a back-and-forth affair in Seattle! pic.twitter.com/a5ZFKEyMzH

– NHL (@NHL) December 10, 2023

Kucherov picked up three points in the 4-3 win, bringing his point total to 47 (19 goals, 28 assists) in 28 games.

He is the NHL’s leading scorer, seven points ahead of his closest pursuer, J.T. Miller at 40 points.

4. Fourth defeat in a row for the Hurricanes

After a good start to the season, the Carolina Hurricanes are experiencing a difficult sequence. With last night’s 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, they have lost their last four games.

It’s a bad sequence, which coincides with Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s less-than-stellar performances.

The Hurricanes are now out of the playoff picture in the East.

In the Canucks victory, Elias Pettersson picked up three points, including the winning goal.

Elias freakin’ Pettersson. pic.twitter.com/Nu4FfMq5ao

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 10, 2023

The Canucks continue to surprise this season.

5. A first defeat abroad this season for the Kings

All good things must come to an end, and yesterday the Los Angeles Kings’ incredible overseas winning streak came to an end, as they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Islanders in New York.

The Kings had recorded 11 consecutive wins abroad since the start of the season, a sequence that came to an end last night, as the Islanders came from behind to win in overtime thanks to Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s second goal of the season.

PAGEAU

The @NYIslanders complete the comeback with an electric @Energizer overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/P86yPuPoyG

– NHL (@NHL) December 10, 2023

Extension

– Martin Frk made a dangerous move that brought back bad memories.

Martin Frk’s move on Lawrence Pilut https://t.co/wnDBaNu4J5

– MySports – C’est le hockey (@MySports_CH_en) December 9, 2023

– Here are yesterday’s results.

Saturday’s slate was capped with Elias Pettersson picking up his 26th career game winner for the @Canucks.#NHLStats: https://t.co/sZK852So5a pic.twitter.com/bPEKeGTPz6

– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 10, 2023

– Here are yesterday’s top scorers.

(Credit: NHL.com)