February 28 — 2022 Stadium Series Summary & Flaming Through February

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Yesterday’s NHL Scores

Last Night’s News 📰

WHO LIKES GOALS: A busy weekend of NHL action featured 17 goals scored in Saturday night’s 10-7 victory for the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Detroit Red Wings, a game that included eight third-period goals. Mitch Marner led the offensive outburst with his first career hat trick, notching four goals and adding two assists. However, the best goal of the night went to this kid at intermission!

100 YEARS OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY: To celebrate the 100th anniversary of its men’s hockey program, Boston University spotlights four black players that forever changed the sport. Headling the acclaim is Mike Grier, the first U.S.-born black player to score 20 goals in the NHL, and Jordan Greenway, the first black player to skate for the American men’s Olympic team. Rounding out the recognition are Lloyd Robinson, the first black American to play U.S. college hockey, and Ed Wright, the first black NCAA coach.

SHARKS SUFFER SETBACK: After being injured against the Boston Bruins on Saturday, San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro underwent surgery to repair his broken fibula. In his third season with the Sharks, Ferraro is leading his team in hits and blocked shots but will miss 6-8 weeks while rehabbing. 

NO MAN’S AN ISLAND: Over the weekend, the New York Islanders lost Mathew Barzal and Zdeno Chara to injuries against the Los Angeles Kings. Both players are listed as day-to-day and sat out Sunday night in Anaheim, as Barzal suffered a lower-body injury and Chara endured an upper-body setback. 

SMASHVILLE SUCCESS: Saturday’s Stadium Series between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning was a smash hit. Combining live musical performances with hockey in its natural state, the Preds put on a show to remember. From arriving in boots, hats, and jeans to the bands playing between periods, Nashville set the new standard for outdoor games moving forward. The game wasn’t bad either. 

Observations from the Stadium Series

Over the weekend, Kristy was one of the 68,619 fans at Nissan Stadium to see the Nashville Predators host the Tampa Bay Lightning. So, we thought it would be fun to bring you some observations from section 120 of the Stadium Series. Without further ado, let’s get to it.

Hockey-tonk

The Predators’ organization never misses when it comes to putting on an event. They flawlessly blend hockey and country music, giving fans the ultimate Nashville experience, and Saturday night was just another example. Nashville hosted Winter Park all weekend leading up to the big game featuring live musical performances and appearances by Predators alumni, including Jordan Tootoo. 

A Dedicated Fan Base

It is never a surprise to walk into a hockey game and see fans rocking their favorite team apparel, but Nashville takes it to a different level. Individuals will be in Predators gear from head to toe, including hats, jerseys, scarfs, gloves, and blankets. While I observed the thousands around me, I wondered how much revenue the Nashville Locker Room team store makes in a season because it was nearly impossible to find a fan that wasn’t repping gold and navy.

Went to a Hockey Game and a Concert Broke Out

Being true to Music City, there was no shortage of acts before and during the game at Nissan Stadium. The Stadium Biscuits served as the house band and played classics like The Devil Went Down to Georgia before Dustin Lynch performed before puck drop. During each commercial break, a new artist took the stage, leading up to the intermission performance from Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley. The combination of live music and hockey was something I never knew I needed. 

Cities & Stadiums That Deserve an NHL Game

The 2022 NHL Stadium Series took place over the weekend, with the Tampa Bay Lightning defeating the Nashville Predators 3-2 on Saturday night at the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. In total, 31 stadiums in 27 cities throughout the United States and Canada have hosted at least one NHL outdoor game, with two more cities scheduled to host soon.

Those games have taken place in stadiums that house teams from the NFL, the Canadian Football League, NCAA college football, and Major League Baseball. However, some stadiums and cities stand out as places that should get the opportunity to host an outdoor NHL game. Here are a few of them. 

Columbus, OH (Ohio Stadium)

As someone born in Columbus and an Ohio sports fan, I may be biased. However, the NHL should let the Columbus Blue Jackets host an outdoor game. Established in 2000, the team has yet to appear in an outdoor event, and with its fan base and national profile growing in recent years, it’s only a matter of time.

The Blue Jackets have turned Columbus into a pretty big hockey town. In terms of significance in the city, football is the only sport that tops hockey, particularly Ohio State football. That’s why an outdoor Blue Jackets game in Ohio Stadium would likely be an enormous success for all involved.

Tampa, FL (Raymond James Stadium)

Saturday’s game in Nashville was the Tampa Bay Lightning’s first appearance in an outdoor game. With the recent success they’ve had, it likely won’t be the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs’ last. Hosting an outdoor game might be a bit tougher in a place like Florida, but they’ve done it in California, so it’s possible.

As for the venue, there’s only one clear option, and that’s the football stadium that houses the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls. Complete with a pirate ship and cannon, it would be a fun place to stage an outdoor hockey game. It’s also no stranger to hosting big-name events, as it was the site of Super Bowl LV, which the Buccaneers won.

Green Bay, Wisconsin (Lambeau Field)

This venue probably came to mind for many of you while reading this, as it’s one of the first places I thought of when I started writing this section. It makes sense. It’s one of the most iconic stadiums in sports and goes by the nickname the “Frozen Tundra.” If any football field had the destiny to host a hockey game, it would be this one.

The only thing preventing this from happening is the lack of an NHL team in Wisconsin. Lambeau’s closest neighbors are the Chicago Blackhawks (who hosted an outdoor game at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears) and the Minnesota Wild (who hosted an outdoor game at Target Field of the Minnesota Twins earlier this season). The only pro hockey team in the state is the Milwaukee Admirals. But despite the issue of there being no clear host team, an NHL game in arguably the most iconic sports venue in America would be a boon for the league and the sport.

The Best of February

February didn’t play out quite how hockey fans might have envisioned at the start of the year. The NHL stayed home rather than send their best to Beijing, using the Olympic break to catch up on a schedule marred by pandemic-related postponements. Still, as we can see below, that didn’t leave the league short in the highlight department for the month as it comes to a close.

Sid Hits 500

It seems like Sidney Crosby has always had a knack for timing. The author of the “Golden Goal” at the 2010 Olympics (happy 12th anniversary!) for Canada once again found the perfect moment to break through while seeking goal No. 500. Hosting the rival Philadelphia Flyers on Feb. 15 at PPG Paints Arena, Crosby notched his milestone goal in the first period with fellow franchise cornerstone Evgeni Malkin picking up the only assist.

All-Star Weekend Hits the Strip

Kudos to the NHL for jazzing up All-Star Weekend and serving up a spectacle well suited for Las Vegas. Few will care to remember which division won the All-Star Game or who took home MVP honors (the Metropolitan Division and Claude Giroux of the Philadelphia Flyers, if you’re wondering). However, everyone who watched will recall the surreal image of NHL stars firing lit-up pucks into floating nets while hovering above the Bellagio Fountains or Trevor Zegras’ flashy exploits in the Breakaway Challenge.

Flamin’ Hot

Entering February, the Calgary Flames sat outside the top three spots in the Pacific Division, tied with the Dallas Stars for the second and final Western Conference Wild Card spot. That likely would mean a playoff date with the Colorado Avalanche, if any at all. Now, the month is ending with the Flames reigning comfortably atop the division after going 10-1. The top line of Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, and Matthew Tkachuk combined for 45 points along the way. If only February were longer!

NHL Standings

NHL’s Leading Scorers

Today’s NHL Schedule