NHL Roundup: Canadiens stay alive; Phil Kessel on the block; Wild offseason; and Mattis Kivlenieks

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nhl roundup
Jul 5, 2021; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens right wing Josh Anderson (17) shoots and scores against Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the overtime period in game four of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Thanks to Josh Anderson’s overtime game-winning goal the season continues. The Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Monday, as they avoided a sweep in the Stanley Cup Final.

NHL Roundup: Canadiens stay alive

Shortly after the Canadiens killed a four-minute penalty handed to captain Shea Weber with 61 seconds remaining in regulation, Anderson created a rush up ice by stealing the puck in his own zone and then pounced on a loose puck for his second goal of the game at 3:57 of overtime.

“We didn’t want to end it tonight in front of our fans,” Anderson said. “We expected to go to Tampa tomorrow, I think everybody in that locker room did and packed their bags this afternoon, you know, just had that feeling that we were going to win tonight and give ourselves a chance.”

NHL.com

Phil Kessel on the block

The 33 year-old winger can still produce and would give any offensively challenged team a boost. Last season, he scored 20 goals and 43 points in 56 games for the Yotes. According to the latest rumors, Arizona are actively shopping Phil Kessel to recoup a first round draft pick this offseason. Read more here.

NHL Rumors: Coyotes looking to move Phil Kessel, Duncan Keith open to Seattle trade, and Red Wings cap space

Wild set to meet with Kirill Kaprizov this week

The Wild have been very active this offseason signing Joel Eriksson Ek and Nick Bjugstad. Now they plan to resume contract talks this week with star forward Kirill Kaprizov, general manager Bill Guerin said.

Guerin expressed optimism that the two sides can come to a deal. Kaprizov, the reigning Calder Memorial Trophy recipient as the NHL’s top rookie, can become a restricted free agent on July 28.

“I’m confident in (Kaprizov) and his wanting to be here and his willingness to play in Minnesota,” Guerin said Saturday, per NHL.com.

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NHL mourns loss of Mattis Kivlenieks

Matiss Kivlenieks
Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The NHL held a moment of silence in Montreal before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final.

Messages from across the hockey world sent out their love and condolences for the 24 year-old goalie. Mattis passed away from chest trauma after a fireworks incident. Read the full story here.

Alexandar Georgiev impacted by loss of Blue Jackets young goalie Matiss Kivlenieks
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Alexandar Georgiev impacted by loss of Blue Jackets young goalie Matiss Kivlenieks

–Field Level Media contributed to this article

By Anthony Scultore

Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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