NHL Weekly Recap: Winter Classic, Goalie Highlights, and More

Get the latest NHL news, highlights, and analysis, including the Winter Classic, top performers, and surprising stats.

Weekly NHL Recap

Another week of the NHL has come and gone, filled with exciting matchups and standout performances. In this weekly column, we'll break down the top stories, trends, and players from the past week.

The Most Productive Player

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi took center stage as the most productive player of the week. The Austrian native, selected ninth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, played a crucial role in the Wild's three victories over Nashville, Washington, and Carolina. Rossi contributed to eight of the team's 13 goals (3+5) and shone brightest in the 4-0 win over the Hurricanes, assisting on all four goals. He averaged nearly twenty minutes of play per game.

Goaltender of the Week

Darcy Kuemper, the 2022 Stanley Cup winner, had a stellar week between the pipes for the Los Angeles Kings. Facing off against top Eastern Conference teams, the New Jersey Devils and Tampa Bay Lightning, Kuemper rose to the challenge. He earned his second shutout of the season, stopping all 33 shots against the Devils, and allowed only one goal in 34 attempts against the Lightning. Kuemper's impressive performance has contributed to his perfect 11-2-5 record this season.

Highlight of the Week: Winter Classic

The Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues clashed in the Winter Classic on the final day of 2024 at Wrigley Field. The sold-out crowd of over 40,000 spectators was treated to an exciting matchup. Cam Fowler, the Blues' defenseman, made history by becoming the first player to reach 1,000 career games in an outdoor contest. Fowler also scored twice, including the game's opening goal at 1:40 on the power play, helping the Blues secure a 6-2 victory. His two-goal performance marked another milestone, as no defender had ever achieved this feat in a Winter Classic game before.

Post-Game Reaction

Blues defenseman Cam Fowler reflected on his historic Winter Classic performance, where he became the first player to reach 1,000 career games in an outdoor contest. “I couldn't have asked for more. It was an amazing night and we enjoyed it even more because we won, that's the key,” Fowler told (link unavailable) after the game. The victory made the evening even more special for Fowler and the Blues.

Winter Classic Ratings and Chicago's Struggles

Despite the excitement of the Winter Classic, there is speculation that moving the traditional game from January 1st may not have been the best decision. Initial reports indicate that the television ratings were among the worst. Additionally, the Chicago Blackhawks may want to avoid future outdoor games, given their 0-5 record in such contests.

With their victory tonight, John Gibson becomes the second goaltender in @AnaheimDucks history to record 200 career wins! 👏

Congrats, Gibby! pic.twitter.com/qYDwjagsgF

— NHL (@NHL) January 6, 2025

Stat of the Week

A notable milestone was achieved by the Washington Capitals when Slovakian defenseman Martin Fehervary scored his first goal of the season against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. This goal marked the 20th tally by a Capitals defenseman this season, a feat they accomplished in just 38 games. In contrast, it took the team 82 games to reach this milestone last season. The Capitals' defensemen have been a key factor in the team's success this year.

Social Media Highlight

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev showcased his toughness on social media after losing a tooth during Tuesday's 3-1 win over the New York Islanders. Despite the injury, Tanev continued to play a crucial role, logging nearly 18 minutes of ice time and contributing an assist to help secure the victory. His bravery and dedication earned him widespread admiration on social media.

Photo of the Week

In a thrilling matchup on Friday, the Vancouver Canucks edged the Seattle Kraken 4-3 in a shootout. A pivotal moment came when Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen made a spectacular save on Danish forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, helping to secure the win. The photo of this incredible save has been making the rounds, highlighting Lankinen's impressive skills and the intensity of the game.

Ladislav Smid's Expert View

Former NHL player Ladislav Smid shared his thoughts on the recent Winter Classic game between the Chicago Blackhawks and St. Louis Blues. Smid reflected on the spectacle, saying, “I'll come back to the Winter Classic game between Chicago and St. Louis. It's definitely a huge show that generates huge profits and I love watching these games.” He particularly enjoyed the unique setting of Wrigley Field, adding, “Especially when it's played at a venue like Wrigley Field.”

Smid acknowledged the one-sided outcome, where the Blues dominated the Blackhawks 6-2. He downplayed the significance of the loss, saying, “Although the Blackhawks fans didn't enjoy it much, the Blues dominated and won 6-2, no big deal...”

“For the players themselves, it has some specifics too, it's definitely a huge experience, you can usually bring your families along the day before, hang out and enjoy the beautiful scenery. On the other hand, it's still an NHL game where points are at stake. You have to concentrate on the game. I'm a little disappointed that I didn't get a chance to play outdoors. I wanted to give it a try, but not everyone is lucky enough.

“And Chicago? The rebuild is in full swing, a year ago the club could still often talk about it, but it will happen less and less. There are already some expectations, but it's probably all going to take a while. I too experienced a similar situation in Edmonton back in the day, especially mentally these times are pretty tough. But Chicago, that's a big brand. Hopefully it won't take that long and they'll get back to where they belong.”