22.12.2024
Nashville Predators 3 - 2 Los Angeles Kings
In a thrilling matchup, Nick Blankenburg scored his first goal for the Nashville Predators just 1:03 into overtime, securing a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. After signing as a free agent on July 1, Blankenburg capitalized on a rebound from Filip Forsberg's shot, helping the Predators recover for an exciting finish at Bridgestone Arena. Filip Forsberg contributed with two assists, while Justus Annunen guarded the net with 22 saves. Zachary L'Heureux and Jonathan Marchessault, who extended his scoring streak to three games, also scored for Nashville. Roman Josi's return from injury brought a dynamic change, providing an assist and two shots on target. For the Kings, Quinton Byfield and Alex Laferriere both netted goals, as the team maintained a strong 3-1-2 record on their seven-game road trip. The game dynamics shifted with a Kings' comeback in the third period, powered by Byfield's quick shot and Laferriere's timely rebound, forcing overtime under intense pressure.
Calgary Flames 6 - 4 Chicago Blackhawks
In a thrilling hockey matchup, the Calgary Flames defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-4, with Blake Coleman and Connor Zary each contributing a goal and an assist at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Jonathan Huberdeau and Matt Coronato also notched a goal and an assist for Calgary, completing a five-game home stand on a high note. Dustin Wolf showed resilience in goal with 24 saves, while Tyler Bertuzzi led the Blackhawks' fightback with two goals and an assist, complemented by Connor Bedard’s goal and two assists. Bedard’s performance moved him up to second place for the most career goals by a Blackhawks teenager. The game was tense, especially in the third period when the Blackhawks clawed back from a 5-1 deficit, but Calgary's Mikael Backlund sealed the win with an empty-net goal. Seth Jones, who recently returned from injury, had a notable 26:42 of ice time, showing his endurance in his first game back.
Edmonton Oilers 3 - 2 San Jose Sharks
In a thrilling match at Rogers Place, the Edmonton Oilers rallied to defeat the San Jose Sharks 3-2, with Leon Draisaitl scoring just 18 seconds into overtime. This win marks Draisaitl's 24th goal of the season, leading the league, and his 17th overtime goal in Oilers history. The Oilers overcame a two-goal deficit, thanks to Zach Hyman's tying goal in the first period and Mattias Ekholm's last-minute equalizer in the third period, capitalizing on an assist from Connor McDavid who extended his point streak to eight games. Despite a strong performance by Sharks goalie Yaroslav Askarov, who made a career-high 39 saves, the Oilers secured their second consecutive overtime victory, adding to a strong run of seven wins in their last eight games. The Sharks, with goals from Luke Kunin and Jan Rutta, continue to struggle, having lost four consecutive games.
Boston Bruins 3 - 1 Buffalo Sabres
In a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Brad Marchand extended his point streak to nine games, contributing to the Boston Bruins' current four-game point streak. Despite acknowledging that they were not at their best, the Bruins capitalized on key plays, with Charlie Coyle and Morgan Geekie scoring pivotal goals. Geekie's power-play goal in the third period, assisted by David Pastrnak, was crucial in securing the win, although another potential goal was nullified due to offside. JJ Peterka scored for the Sabres, who suffered their 13th consecutive loss, a streak threatening to become the franchise's second-longest. Sabres coach Lindy Ruff and players stressed the importance of focusing on positives amidst their struggles. Marchand's streak puts him alongside Bruins legends Jean Ratelle and Johnny Bucyk as the third player aged 36 or older to achieve this feat.
Toronto Maple Leafs 3 - 6 New York Islanders
The New York Islanders secured a 6-3 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena, with Bo Horvat leading the charge by contributing a goal and two assists. Isaiah George netted his first NHL goal, while Ilya Sorokin made 26 saves, helping the Islanders snap a losing streak and marking his 10th consecutive start. Anthony Duclair made a notable return after a long injury absence, assisting on a goal. Despite William Nylander's two goals for the Maple Leafs, who were missing Auston Matthews due to injury, the Islanders maintained their dominance, benefiting from well-executed plays and strategic line rotations, as noted by coach Patrick Roy. With this win, the Islanders extended their victory streak against the Maple Leafs to five games, highlighting a strong historical performance against Toronto.
Montreal Canadiens 5 - 1 Detroit Red Wings
In a dominant performance, the Montreal Canadiens secured a convincing 5-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, sweeping the home-and-home series. Patrik Laine was a standout performer, scoring his eighth power-play goal in nine games, marking him as a significant threat in the league and setting an NHL record by scoring eight consecutive team power-play goals, a feat not seen since Nels Stewart's achievement in 1936-37. Nick Suzuki and Lane Hutson each contributed two assists, significantly impacting the game, while Sam Montembeault made 20 saves in his ninth consecutive start. Despite an early goal from Joe Veleno giving the Red Wings the lead, the Canadiens responded with goals from Juraj Slafkovsky, Jake Evans, Emil Heineman, and Brendan Gallagher. The Canadiens demonstrated a relentless offensive strategy, controlling the game and extending their winning streak to three games, the first such streak of their season. The Red Wings struggled to keep up, compounded by an upper-body injury to Ben Chiarot, as they faltered in the face of Montreal's intensity and effective gameplay.
New Jersey Devils 3 - 0 Pittsburgh Penguins
Hischier gets 3 points, Devils shut out Penguins
NEWARK, N.J. --
"From day one, [coach Sheldon Keefe] preached about the defense," Devils defenseman
It was New Jersey's first shutout against Pittsburgh since a 3-0 win on March 24, 2016.
"They were using the middle of the ice really well and attacking us," Jarry said. "They were able to get to the net front and battle hard. We could have done a better job in the third period."
Markstrom had four saves in the second period, including a glove stop while diving to his left to force
"We stayed calm even though I don't think we played our best game," Hischier said. "[Markstrom] made some huge saves for us to keep us in the game, and we just stuck with it and eventually got the win."
"I think it was opening up for a one-timer, but it was a nice high sauce by [Meier]," Hischier said. "I think [the spin move] is just something that naturally happens when you're on the ice, holding onto pucks and cutting back."
Markstrom, who earned the 22nd shutout of his NHL career, denied
"We're going to make mistakes and when we do, it's nice to have a guy back there like him," Dillon said of Markstrom. "It's nice to get the win, bear down and get the shutout."
Hischier pushed it to 2-0 on a snap shot at the right post at 7:47 of the third while Noesen was jostling with defenseman
"I actually thought I was about to fight so I was a little surprised it went in," Noesen said. "[Keefe's] really trusting me and they signed me to play kind of down the lineup and that's kind of what I think I do best. Whatever you need me to do ... you tell me to run through a wall, you tell me to do this, I'll try to do that." Meier scored an empty-net goal at 18:27 for the 3-0 final.
"I thought after they got the second goal, we opened up a little, and that's where they got a bunch of their shots," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "They defend well. I thought for two-and-a-half periods we competed hard and were right there.
"We had two Grade A opportunities in the second period and didn't score on either of them."
NOTES: Pickering sustained an upper-body injury after a hit by Paul Cotter at 14:11 of the second period and didn't return to the game; there was no update after the game. ...
Philadelphia Flyers 5 - 4 Columbus Blue Jackets
The Philadelphia Flyers achieved a thrilling 5-4 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Owen Tippett scoring the game-winning goal and assisting on three others, marking his first four-point game in the NHL. The Flyers rallied from a 2-0 deficit, tying the game three times in the third period—a feat they accomplished for the first time in franchise history—and secured the win at Wells Fargo Center. In a standout performance, Morgan Frost scored twice, and Noah Cates and Tyson Foerster contributed a goal and an assist each, helping snap the Flyers' three-game losing streak. Columbus' Mathieu Olivier, Mikael Pyyhtia, Kirill Marchenko, and Jake Christiansen scored, with Christiansen netting his first goal of the season. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 25 saves, but Philadelphia's persistence, highlighted by Tippett’s playmaking, ultimately secured the Flyers' victory.
Winnipeg Jets 5 - 0 Minnesota Wild
Hellebuyck gets 4th shutout, Jets defeat Wild
WINNIPEG --
“We wanted to have a good start. We haven’t had that as of late.” Perfetti said. “Our first period was huge, and we really wanted to take them out of the game. And I think we did that. We really didn’t give them anything. [We were] hard on the puck, hard on the forecheck. We really suffocated them all over the ice.”
“It’s about having the right mindset and playing the game the right way,” Minnesota coach John Hynes said. “We have capable players, and we’ve got to get back to playing a certain style of game and being consistent with that. We have it in pockets, we don’t have it enough.”
“When you see his speed like that, when [Ehlers] puts it on display, it’s nerve-wracking for the opposition and especially the defenders who have to play that side of the ice,” Arniel said. “It just creates offensive zone time for that group. I thought those three [Ehlers, Perfetti, and
“I saw him get the shot off and then I kind of lost it,” Barron said. “Then it popped out. Honestly, I thought I could have done a better job stopping at the net before -- I almost kind of swung behind, but stopped just in time.”
Pionk pushed it to 3-0 on the power play with a one-timer from the point at 5:19 of the second period.
“I knew coming in that they were going to be a very skilled power play,” Wallstedt said. “They have a lot of options and a lot of stuff that they can do, and I felt like I had good knowledge, but I just didn't execute the whole when it was needed. [They have] very, very good players on the power play and knew what they were doing.” Perfetti made it 4-0 at 2:07 into the third period, scoring unassisted with a shot from the high slot after Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin turned it over in his own zone.
“We’ve got to stick to what gives us the best chance to win,” Hynes said. “I thought we went a little bit off script and made plays and went east-west and passed up shots. To me, that’s the bigger thing. It’s more the process of the game than it is anything about the mindset. The mindset needs to be to play the game the right way and play the game that gives us the best chance to win, gives us the best chance to produce offense, the best way to check.”
Namestnikov tipped Pionk’s point shot at 7:36 for the 5-0 final.
“A 5-0 loss, it happens in a season,” Wild forward
NOTES: Jets forward
Vancouver Canucks - - - Ottawa Senators
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Vegas Golden Knights 6 - 2 Seattle Kraken
The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Seattle Kraken 6-2 at T-Mobile Arena, marking their third consecutive victory and their seventh win in the last eight games. Vegas made a strong start with three first-period goals and notable performances from Mark Stone, who contributed a goal and two assists, and Jack Eichel, who added two assists. Brett Howden and Keegan Kolesar each recorded a goal and an assist, as Ilya Samsonov made 21 saves for the Golden Knights. Seattle struggled, extending their losing streak to four games, despite goals from Vince Dunn and Jaden Schwartz, with Dunn initially giving them a 1-0 lead on a power play. Philipp Grubauer made 29 saves for Seattle, but Vegas's robust offensive effort, highlighted by Nicolas Hague, William Karlsson, and Noah Hanifin's goals, secured the decisive win. Mark Stone capped the victory with an empty-net goal late in the third period.