FIRST GOALIE WITH A GOAL AND AN ASSIST IN A GAME IN NHL HISTORY 🤯
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NHL Notebook: Penguins’ Nedeljkovic enters record books with goalie goal, Oilers sign John Klingberg
Photo credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images
Jan 18, 2025, 08:30 ESTUpdated: Jan 18, 2025, 08:31 EST
Welcome back to another edition of NHL notebook, where we take a look at stories around the league, often through a Toronto Maple Leafs-centric lens.
Penguins’ Alex Nedeljkovic makes history with goalie goal
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic entered the record books on Friday evening, becoming the first goalie with a goal and an assist in NHL history, when he launched the puck into an empty net against the Buffalo Sabres.
Here’s a video of the record-setting goal:
It was the 19th goal scored by a goaltender in NHL history, but Nedeljkovic stands alone with the two-point performance.
“I’ve always enjoyed playing the puck,” Nedeljkovic said post-game via The Athletic’s Josh Yohe. “It’s been part of my game for as long as I can remember. Started with conversations with my dad in the car, saying, ‘Don’t just throw the puck around the boards.”
It was a spectacular sight and the Sabres’ crowd roared in appreciation. For a Penguins team boasting multiple instant Hall of Famers, this is a pretty spectacular accomplishment in its own right.
Fun facts about this -this is the 47th time a goalie has had a multi-point game (he also assisted on Glass’ goal -this is the 1st time a goalie has had a goal and an assist in the same game -this is the first time two goalie goals have happened in the same season
🚨 ALEX NEDELJKOVIC GOALIE GOAL!!! 🚨 pic.x.com/utAB7jFA16
Islanders’ Maxim Tsyplakov suspended three games for illegal hit to the head
New York Islanders rookie forward Maxix Tsyplakov was suspended three games for an illegal hit to the head of Philadelphia Flyers forward Ryan Poehling. Tsyplakov received three games because he entered the defensive zone with speed and made Poehling’s head the primary point of contact, the NHL Department of Player Safety explained.
Here’s a video of Tsyplakov’s hit on Poehling:
Maxim Tsyplakov has been suspended for three games for this hit to the head on Ryan Poehling.
“I didn’t think it was dirty, but I didn’t want to injure a guy. I hope he is okay. I think their team’s response is normal after this kind of hit,” Tsyplakov said post-game via Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News.
Poehling has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the New Jersey Devils.
Oilers sign John Klingberg
John Klingberg officially signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers to resume his NHL career. Klingberg reportedly signed a contract that is worth $1-million prorated, which accounts for a $1.74 million cap hit. For more details on the Klingberg story, Zach Laing of Oilers Nation has a full breakdown of the signing.
Toronto was reportedly among the teams interested in Klingberg, but ultimately, the 32-year-old starts anew with the chance to play with Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Evan Bouchard and a ton of offensive weapons out west. Klingberg struggled badly during his stint with the Maple Leafs and was a defensive liability, before being shut down for the season due to a lingering hip injury.
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