The Jets are now first in the NHL

There were only three games last night in the NHL, but there were still some events to remember.

Here are the highlights of this evening.

1. The Jets take the lead in the NHL

The Vancouver Canucks aren't the only Canadian team with an entire 2023-2024 season.

In fact, the Winnipeg Jets are having as good a season, if not better than the Canucks.

Last night, Rick Bowness' team took on the poor Anaheim Ducks.

It ended with a 3-1 victory for the Jets team.

🥳Perfetti goal 🥳 pic.twitter.com/vFTCM7iZ8Z

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 6, 2024

What may have seemed like a simple and ordinary victory ended up not being so, since this victory allowed the Jets to take the lead in the overall NHL standings.

In short, the Jets are excellent this season, and they don't look like they're slowing down anytime soon.

It's great to see two Canadian teams in the top five in the NHL, even if that doesn't include the Montreal Canadiens.

2. The day that Vasily Ponomarev will remember for a long time

There are some memorable days for a professional hockey player throughout their career.

Whether it's the day of the first NHL call-up, the day of the first NHL game, the day of the first point or goal in the NHL, etc.

These are all important moments in a player's career.

Now imagine if all of these first events had happened on the same day and within a few hours.

Well, yesterday that was the case for Vasiliy Ponomarev, the Carolina Hurricanes prospect.

Here is his day in detail.

Vasily Ponomarev Day…

10:00 AM – Call from the school club
1:00 PM – Flight from Chicago to DC
5:00 PM – Arrive at Capital One Arena
7:00 PM – Makes his NHL debut
9:10pm – First point in the NHL
9:40pm – First goal in the NHL

What a day for the former @Cataractes_Shaw… pic.twitter.com/mep7Pw4roB

– RDS (@RDSca) January 6, 2024

All this in less than 12 hours.

It is truly a day that Ponomarev will remember for a long time.

This is the 21-year-old Hurricanes' first goal in the NHL.

Welcome to the NHL, Vasiliy Ponomarev! 💪

His first tally in the NHL capped off six unanswered goals for @cane! pic.twitter.com/FIAY0iwjbL

– National Hockey League (@NHL) January 6, 2024

He had earned his first NHL point earlier in the game on a goal by Seth Jarvis.

Firstly @NHL Point for Vasiliy Ponomarev!! pic.twitter.com/n6cPfVCsJz

-Carolina Hurricanes (@cane) January 6, 2024

The game ended 6 to 2 in favor of the Carolina Hurricanes.

3. Connor Bedard leaves the game after suffering a heavy hit

Last night, as the Chicago Blackhawks visited the New Jersey Devils, we witnessed a rather disturbing scene, as young player Connor Bedard left the game after taking a hit.

It's a heavy check, but it's ultimately legal.

At least what do you think?

The name of the player hit should not affect the seriousness or legality of the hit.

This should only impact how team members interact.

Obviously she was much stronger because she is the star on the team.

In short, let's hope this is more fear than harm for the Blackhawks (and for the entire hockey world), and that Bedard doesn't suffer a serious injury.

It would be a very huge loss for Chicago, but also for the entire hockey world, if Bedard missed multiple games.

extension

– Here are all the results from the previous day.

– Here are the top scorers from the previous day.

– On today’s program in the National League: 14 matches.