The NHL delivered an exhilarating night full of standout performances, from Sidney Crosby’s game-winning magic to Alex Ovechkin’s historic pursuit and the Carolina Hurricanes’ offensive outburst. Here’s a recap of Thursday night’s action.
Pittsburgh Penguins 2, Anaheim Ducks 1 (OT)
Sidney Crosby came through in crunch time, scoring his second goal of the game at 2:35 of overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks. Crosby’s patience in front of the net was on full display as he waited out goalie Lukas Dostal before burying the puck for his third goal of the season. Interestingly, Crosby’s only other goal this season was also an overtime winner, showcasing his clutch abilities.
The Penguins finally snapped a six-game losing streak (0-5-1) with this win. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic made 22 saves to steady Pittsburgh’s defense. Despite the loss, Anaheim’s Lukas Dostal shone with 44 saves, keeping his team competitive throughout the game. Alex Killorn scored the lone goal for the Ducks, who closed their road trip with a 1-2-1 record.
Washington Capitals 6, Montreal Canadiens 3
The Washington Capitals overwhelmed the Montreal Canadiens, pulling away for a 6-3 win. Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas scored 36 seconds apart in the third period, breaking open a close game. Alex Ovechkin continued his march toward Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, netting his 858th career goal. Now just 37 goals away from history, Ovechkin’s impact was felt all over the ice as he also notched two assists.
For Montreal, Cole Caufield extended his scoring streak to four games with his 10th goal of the season. Nick Suzuki and Brendan Gallagher each scored, but the Canadiens have now lost six of their last eight games (2-5-1) and struggled defensively against Washington’s high-powered offense.
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Edmonton Oilers 5, Nashville Predators 1
The Edmonton Oilers powered past the Nashville Predators with a commanding 5-1 victory, even without their superstar Connor McDavid. Leon Draisaitl led the way, scoring twice and adding an assist in McDavid’s absence. Edmonton’s offense clicked, with Viktor Arvidsson, Corey Perry, and Zach Hyman also finding the back of the net. Calvin Pickard made 26 saves in net, helping the Oilers earn their third win in four games.
Nashville’s Filip Forsberg scored his fifth goal of the season, but the Predators couldn’t sustain any momentum. Their second consecutive loss (0-1-1) followed a three-game win streak, highlighting inconsistency on offense.
Philadelphia Flyers 2, St. Louis Blues 1
The Philadelphia Flyers edged the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in a tightly contested match, thanks to a late goal by Bobby Brink with just over three minutes remaining. Samuel Ersson turned aside 20 shots, and Garnet Hathaway scored the other goal for Philadelphia, which has now won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
The Blues wrapped up their four-game road trip with disappointment. After starting strong with a decisive win in Toronto, St. Louis lost three straight, managing only four goals across those games. Nathan Walker scored their lone goal in this contest.
Toronto Maple Leafs 4, Seattle Kraken 1
William Nylander’s two-goal performance propelled the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 4-1 victory over the Seattle Kraken. Auston Matthews chipped in with a goal and an assist, while rookie Matthew Knies also scored, showcasing Toronto’s offensive depth. John Tavares added two assists, helping the Maple Leafs secure their second consecutive win.
Seattle’s Eeli Tolvanen provided the Kraken’s only goal, but their offense struggled to keep pace. Joey Daccord made 26 saves in goal, and Seattle is now 1-1-0 on their five-game road trip, needing more consistency on both ends of the ice.
Carolina Hurricanes 8, Boston Bruins 2
The Carolina Hurricanes unleashed an offensive barrage against the Boston Bruins, winning 8-2 and doubling their previous season-high in goals. Andrei Svechnikov and Jack Roslovic each scored twice, leading the charge as the Hurricanes exploded for six goals in the first period alone. Martin Necas contributed with a goal and three assists, adding to Carolina’s dominance.
Boston’s Brad Marchand and Hampus Lindholm managed to score, but their defense and goaltending fell apart early. Jeremy Swayman was pulled after allowing six goals on 22 shots, and the Bruins have now won just once in their past six games (1-4-1).
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San Jose Sharks 3, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Rookie Will Smith had a memorable night, scoring his first two NHL goals to lift the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Smith’s game-winner sealed the Sharks’ first three-game winning streak since the middle of last season. Mackenzie Blackwood made 26 saves, denying all 12 shots he faced in the final period to secure the victory.
The Blackhawks, despite late pressure, came up short. Ryan Donato and Tyler Bertuzzi found the net, but Chicago has now lost five of their last six games, struggling to convert late opportunities.
