04.12.2024
Boston Bruins 3 - 2 Detroit Red Wings
In an exciting matchup at TD Garden, the Boston Bruins staged a comeback to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in overtime, with Pavel Zacha netting the game-winner thanks to a decisive play by David Pastrnak. Despite Lucas Raymond’s two goals and reaching a career milestone of 200 NHL points, the Red Wings faced their third consecutive loss. For Boston, Justin Brazeau’s game-tying power-play goal in the third period proved crucial, while Joonas Korpisalo delivered a 25-save performance. Pastrnak’s assist added to his record in Bruins history for career overtime points. Dylan Larkin nearly clinched victory for Detroit in overtime but was thwarted by the post. Despite Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde highlighting promising stretches in recent games, the team suffered from self-inflicted mistakes that undermined their efforts.
Buffalo Sabres 4 - 5 Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche staged a remarkable comeback to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 5-4 after initially trailing 4-0 in the first period. Nathan MacKinnon played a pivotal role, breaking a 10-game goal drought with two goals and an assist, including a crucial equalizer in the third period. Artturi Lehkonen finished the five-goal surge with the game-winner, while newcomer Scott Wedgewood contributed by stopping all 22 shots he faced in relief, marking his debut win with the Avalanche. Tage Thompson scored twice early for Buffalo, but the team couldn't sustain its early momentum, losing its fourth consecutive game. This victory marks the fourth time in franchise history that the Avalanche has overcome a four-goal deficit to win, a feat underscored by their relentless second and third-period performance.
Montreal Canadiens 2 - 1 New York Islanders
In an exciting matchup at Bell Centre, Patrik Laine marked his season debut for the Montreal Canadiens by scoring a crucial power-play goal, helping his team secure a 2-1 overtime win against the New York Islanders. Laine, who joined Montreal following a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets, had been sidelined due to a knee sprain and had not played in the NHL since December 2023 due to a broken clavicle and participation in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. Nick Suzuki claimed the game-winning goal in overtime, being opportunistic after his initial shot rebounded off Bo Horvat’s skate. For the Islanders, Anders Lee continued his scoring streak, tying the game at the end of the second period. Goalie Sam Montembeault bolstered the Canadiens with 30 saves, while Lane Hutson extended his point streak, setting a franchise record for a defenseman his age. The Islanders' struggles in games extending beyond regulation persisted, showcasing their need to improve in securing possession during crucial overtime periods.
Pittsburgh Penguins 5 - 4 Florida Panthers
The Pittsburgh Penguins secured a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Florida Panthers, marking their fourth consecutive win. Bryan Rust scored the overtime winner just 1:31 in, capitalizing on a 2-on-1 play with Erik Karlsson. The Penguins had originally held a commanding 4-1 lead, courtesy of goals from Owen Pickering, who notched his first NHL goal, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, and Marcus Pettersson. However, the Panthers rallied with three quick goals in the third period, including two from Matthew Tkachuk, who reached a career milestone of 602 NHL points. Tkachuk's third-period performance was notable, with three points that almost mirrored franchise records set by Noel Acciari and Olli Jokinen. Coach Mike Sullivan praised his team's resilience, noting a newfound composure compared to earlier games. On the Panthers' side, notable absences due to personal events included goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, expecting a child, while Spencer Knight faced Malkin's milestone of scoring against his 150th different goalie. Sidney Crosby contributed an assist, inching closer to Gordie Howe on the all-time assists list with a single franchise.
Washington Capitals 1 - 2 San Jose Sharks
In an exciting matchup at Capital One Arena, William Eklund scored a power-play goal just 39 seconds into overtime to lead the San Jose Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, marking the Sharks' third consecutive win. Eklund's game-winner came from a perfectly timed one-timer with a slick assist from Mikael Granlund, capitalizing on a penalty against Capitals forward Tom Wilson. The game saw Tyler Toffoli open the scoring for the Sharks, while Nic Dowd equalized for the Capitals, who had recently been on a four-game winning streak. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 crucial saves for the Sharks, and rookie Macklin Celebrini extended his point streak to five games, reinforcing his burgeoning reputation. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery expressed disappointment over his team's inconsistency, which was most evident as the Sharks outshot the Capitals 18-6 after Dowd's goal.
Carolina Hurricanes 2 - 4 Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken snapped a three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes, driven by standout performances from Jaden Schwartz and Yanni Gourde, each contributing a goal and an assist. Seattle coach Dan Bylsma praised the team's effort, highlighting the impressive defensive play that limited Carolina to just 19 shots. Despite a strong showing from Martin Necas, who had a goal, an assist, and tied the game twice, the Hurricanes struggled, extending their own losing run. A crucial moment came when Jack Drury's goal was overturned for goaltender interference following a Seattle coach's challenge. Gourde reclaimed the lead for Seattle in the third period, with Brandon Tanev sealing the win with a breakaway goal. Rookie Ryan Winterton recorded his first NHL point, assisting on Tanev's goal. Carolina's coach Rod Brind’Amour criticized his team's performance, stressing the need for key players to step up. The match also marked significant milestones for Necas, earning his 13th multipoint game of the season and setting a franchise record with 39 points through 25 games.
Minnesota Wild 3 - 2 Vancouver Canucks
In a thrilling overtime finish, Kirill Kaprizov scored with just 24 seconds remaining to secure the Minnesota Wild's fourth consecutive victory, defeating the Vancouver Canucks 3-2. Kaprizov's game-winning goal came after Brock Boeser's near miss for Vancouver, extending Kaprizov's point streak to four games. Both teams displayed resilience, as Wild coach John Hynes emphasized the intensity and toughness of the game. Elias Pettersson contributed two assists for the Canucks, who completed their road trip with a respectable 4-1-1 record despite the loss. Notably, Canucks goalie Kevin Lankinen suffered his first road defeat of the season, having previously set an NHL record with 10 consecutive road wins. The Wild's relentless performance was highlighted by Frederick Gaudreau and Jake Middleton also scoring, while Filip Gustavsson made crucial saves. Minnesota's Joel Eriksson Ek left the game in overtime due to an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Canucks announced that defenseman Filip Hronek would be sidelined for eight weeks following a lower-body procedure.
Winnipeg Jets 1 - 4 St Louis Blues
The St. Louis Blues secured a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets, marking Winnipeg's fourth consecutive loss. Jordan Kyrou was pivotal, netting two goals, with Dylan Holloway and Robert Thomas adding to the scoreline, as the Blues extended their point streak to four games. Goalie Joel Hofer, playing in his hometown, was lauded for his performance, making 22 saves. St. Louis dominated the second period, outshooting Winnipeg 19-3, and carried their defensive prowess throughout the game under new coach Jim Montgomery. Despite Mark Scheifele's goal cutting the deficit for Winnipeg, their early season form has waned, struggling to score in recent games. Notably, Justin Faulk was a late scratch for the Blues due to injury, with Scott Perunovich stepping in and delivering two assists.
Calgary Flames 3 - 0 Columbus Blue Jackets
Vladar, Flames shut out Blue Jackets to end 4-game skid
CALGARY --
Calgary and Columbus honored the memory of
Gaudreau, a forward for the Blue Jackets who spent his first nine NHL seasons with the Flames, and his brother Matthew, a former pro hockey player, died Aug. 29 when they were struck by an alleged drunk driver who has been charged with two counts of death by auto, while riding bicycles near their home in Salem County, New Jersey.
Andersson gave Calgary a 1-0 lead at 10:14 of the second period. He one-timed a pass from Mikael Backlund from the left face-off circle by the blocker of Merzlikins on the power play.
The goal came during a stretch of 23:41 between Columbus shots, spanning from 14:10 of the first period until 17:51 of the second period, and after Zach Werenski scored 4:11 into the game but the Flames successfully challenged that the play was offside.
Backlund scored at 12:40 of the third period when he tipped Andersson's point shot, but the Blue Jackets successfully challenged the Flames had entered the zone offside.
Bahl scored a power-play goal, a wrist shot from the point through traffic, at 17:53 to push it to 2-0. The goal is Bahl's first with Calgary.
Yegor Sharangovich scored into an empty net with 20 remaining for the 3-0 final.
Vegas Golden Knights 1 - 0 Edmonton Oilers
Hill makes 28 saves, Golden Knights shut out Oilers
LAS VEGAS –
Stuart Skinner made 15 saves for Edmonton (13-10-2), which had won three straight.
Barbashev gave Vegas a 1-0 lead at 10:47 of the first period. He carried the puck into the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 rush and tried to slide a pass to Jack Eichel, but found the loose puck after it was blocked by Evan Bouchard and beat Skinner five-hole with a snap shot.
Edmonton outshot Vegas 16-2 in the third period and held Vegas without a shot for final 19:04.
Hill knocked down a shot from the right point through traffic, then stopped Ryan Nugent-Hopkins’ rebound attempt at the left post with an outstretched right pad to preserve the 1-0 lead with just under 1:30 left in the third.