Ovechkin, and Ovi Jr., take the ice at All-Star skills night Red Wings sign Olli Maatta to 2-year, $6 million extension Alex Ovechkin away from Capitals due to death of his father Bruins’ Linus Ullmark is NHL’s biggest goalie surprise this season Senators’ Anton Forsberg out indefinitely with MCL tear in both knees

SUNRISE, Florida. When you score the second most goals in NHL history, you are obviously allowed to invite a guest onto the ice for an All-Star Skills competition.

That’s why there were two Washington jerseys at number 8.

Capital Star Alexey Ovechkin went on the ice with his teammates in the capital division and his eldest child, 4-year-old Sergei.

Sergei, named after Ovechkin’s late brother, wore an Ovi Jr. The lad has built a few fans in recent weeks after scoring a goal in December’s Caps practice and playing a role in helping Washington fans celebrate his father’s 800th goal.

It was Ovi Jr.’s first chance at an All-Star weekend. His father has not competed in All-Star since 2018, either due to COVID-19 or injuries. The last time his father played in the All-Star Game, Sergei had not yet been born.

Alex Ovechkin has 812 goals. He is second only to Wayne Gretzky (894) in NHL history.

And later in the night, Ovi Jr. took center line with his father and the great Pittsburgh. Sidney Crosby. They each got an assist on the goal Sergei scored against Roberto Luongo, the Floridian great who came out of retirement on All-Star weekend.

After his son scored the goal, Ovechkin said: “I think he really likes it.”

WELCOME HOUSE, LU

Luongo became a member of another All-Star Game.

In the building where a banner with his No. 1 jersey hangs – he is the only former Panther player to win the award – Luongo was the celebrity goaltender during the Breakaway Challenge during Friday night’s Competition of Skills.

He stopped his only shot off the Toronto stick. Mitch Marner. On the one hand, Marner is the Maple Leafs’ top scorer this season. On the other hand, he also wore a white suit, sunglasses, and a blue t-shirt to match the Miami Vice theme.

Luongo, who was entertained by Florida fans all night with chants of “Luuuuu”, was ready to take on the challenge. Marner tried to beat him towards the glove, but Luongo got enough to make a save and then flopped forward to hide the rebound, a smile clearly visible through his mask.

“You got too close,” Luongo told Marner.

Luongo later told ESPN during the televised event that “this is my home. This is my home right here. The fold is my home.”

Luongo’s rubbers pay homage to his career – the design depicted his time as a member of the Panthers and Vancouver Canucks. They were a gift from CCM for creating the Hockey Hall of Fame.

“I have never worn pads since I retired,” Luongo said. “I wore them for the first time this week. I felt pretty good.”

He also participated in and scored a goal in the Florida Alumni game on Wednesday night. But if there are more alumni games, Luongo suggested he could return to the draw.

“Tonight I have good memories of being in blue paint and hearing the singing,” Luongo said. “Maybe one day we’ll hear them again.”

Remembering Jimmy

Sergei Ovechkin, who scored into an open net during a break in the skill competition, was not the only kid to get a great view of the night.

Philadelphia forward Kevin Hayes along with his 3-year-old nephew Bo at All-Star Weekend. Bo’s father was Jimmy Hayes, brother of Kevin Hayes.

Jimmy Hayes was 31 when he died in 2021 from fentanyl and cocaine in his system. He played for four NHL teams, including Florida.

Kevin Hayes takes part in All-Star Weekend for the first time.

HYMN DISTRIBUTION

“The Star-Spangled Banner” was sung by a South Florida gay choir and the band squashed it, not to mention the crowd representing several different fanbases were about to yell some term specific to their team at various points in the lyrics . .

Florida fans shout along with “red” and “knight”, one of which indicates one of the team’s primary colors and the other of the goaltender. Spencer Knight. There were also screams from other fanbases; some St. Louis fans, for example, might sing “house of the blues” instead of “house of the brave” at the end of the song.

And “O Canada” singer Hannah Walpole also yelled a bit while singing, especially when she reached “true north” in the lyrics – something you usually hear at games in Winnipeg.

FLIP FLOPS

Cale Makar, the current Conn Smythe Trophy winner of Stanley Cup winner Colorado Avalanche, became the first entry in the Fastest Skater competition, the opening event of the evening. He fell on the second turn. … Tampa Bay Pat Maroon, one of the presenters at the event, reported that he “froze” while working at the level of the ice. “I’m used to the outfit,” said Burgundy, who was wearing a blazer and open shirt on Friday night. … A big hit for those accustomed to the usual colors of the FLA Live Arena – and basically all other hockey arenas – was the shade of seawater blue used for the blue lines and creases. The face-off dots on the circles on either side of the ice are not the standard solid red this weekend, but instead depict an image of the sun.

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings sign defenseman Ollie Myaetta to a two-year, $6 million extension to keep his contract through the 2024–25 season.

The Red Wings announced the deal two weeks before the NHL trade deadline.

Maatta scored five goals and 17 points this season, a first for Detroit, coming into the game in Calgary. The 28-year-old Finn has previously played for Pittsburgh, Chicago and Los Angeles.

He scored five goals and 27 points in 85 playoff games to help the Penguins win the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017.

Captain Washington Capitals Alexey Ovechkin says that his father, Michael, died at 71.

Ovechkin broke the news on social media along with family photos and videos.

“My father passed away today,” Ovechkin wrote in Russian on his Instagram account. “I thank everyone for their support, but please be understanding and do not disturb my family at such a difficult time for us! Thank you.”

Ovechkin left the Capitals to deal with what the team called a family health issue. Trainer Peter Laviolette said he expected Ovechkin to be out at least until the end of the week and for the foreseeable future.

“Life is hard,” Laviolette said. “When it comes to your family and parents, that’s what matters. He’s going to sort things out right now and we’ll support him.”

Ovechkin’s father has not been in Washington in recent years, dealing with health problems at home in Moscow. Prior to that, Mikhail had known each other at the Capitals’ training base and at games, watching his son.

“Mr. Ovechkin was a true gentleman and was a constant presence at Capitals games and practices,” the team said in a statement. “With a permanent smile on his face, he enjoyed interacting with our fans and expressing his gratitude to them for supporting his son, whom he was incredibly proud of. .

“Our organization’s thoughts with the Ovechkin family during this difficult time.”

Having just signed a four-year, $20 million contract, Linus Ulmark shared the net with a newcomer. Jeremy Swayman and then, briefly, with Tuukka Rask, a cornerstone of the organization who was trying to come back from hip surgery. Ullmark conceded eight goals in two playoff games before succumbing to Swaimane’s starter spot and leaving in the off-season of change unsure what his role would be.

Turns out he’s stellar as the best goaltender in the NHL.

Ullmark leads the league in wins, save percentage and goals average, which is one of the main reasons the Bruins lead the league table and keep pace with the best regular season in NHL history. Along with other stars Stuart Skinner And Logan Thompsonwho respectively have the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights on their way to the playoffs, Ulmark tops the list of the season’s biggest goalie surprises.

“He stood on his head” – Bruins top scorer and MVP candidate. to David Pastr said. “He plays incredible. To be honest, this year it’s just fun to watch. He plays confidently. He is big. He’s very confident online and he’s having a special year.”

Ullmark thinks he feels more comfortable in his new surroundings, and it shows in his game: he has already set a career high with 26 wins, his .937 shooting percentage is more than 10 points higher than his next closest competitor, and his GPA of 1.90 would have been higher. be the lowest among goaltenders who have played 40 games or more since Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur in 1997-98.

The 29-year-old Swede has thought a lot about what has changed in his game, and it’s hard for him to pinpoint it. Feeling “at home” in Boston is one of many things.

“I just think it’s just little pieces here and there that just fall into place,” Ullmark said. “We also have a great team and it goes hand in hand with my work as well as Sway’s work. This is not just a one man show. It’s team work.”

Bruins lead Eastern Conference after 38 Pastrnak goals, captain Patrice Bergeronbilateral dominance at the age of 37 and the training of rookie Jim Montgomery. But Bruce Cassidy, who was fired after coaching Boston to six playoff games, called Ullmark’s appearance “big” when asked about his former team’s permanence.

“He finished last year really well, and he carried that over to this year,” Cassidy said. “Now you are creating competition for Swain in this position. I think it’s a great thing for Boston.”

Cassidy, who is now on the bench with the Golden Knights, put Thompson in first after Vegas found out at the end of the offseason. Robin Lehner will be out for a season in rehab after hip surgery.

Recent injuries escaped to the main role …