NHL Recap
Vegas Golden Knights 3 vs. Winnipeg Jets 2 (OT)
An evenly matched battle between the Golden Knights and Jets came down to a tense third period. Nikita Chibrikov opened the scoring for Winnipeg, and the game remained scoreless until the final frame, when both teams exchanged goals. Victor Olofsson tied it up for Vegas with less than two minutes left, sending the game into overtime. In the extra period, Vegas capitalized on a two-on-one breakaway, with Ivan Barbashev netting the game-winner, extending the Knights’ dominance over Winnipeg to eight straight victories.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Utah Hockey Club 4 vs. Colorado Avalanche 1
The Utah Hockey Club went into Ball Arena and left with a dominant win over Colorado. The difference in this game came down to goaltending, as Karel Vejmelka was rock-solid, making key saves to preserve Utah’s lead. Despite nearly identical shot totals—Utah with 24 shots on goal, Colorado with 23—the Avalanche struggled to convert chances. Dylan Guenther was on a mission, logging two goals, helping Utah secure the 4-1 victory on the road.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
LA Kings 1 vs. New Jersey Devils 3
The Devils snapped the Kings’ six-game winning streak, capitalizing on a fatigued LA squad. The Kings looked gassed from another long road trip, barely showing up in the first period, getting outshot 9-1. Jordan Spence provided LA’s lone goal in the second period, but New Jersey’s defense locked down the game from there. Goaltender Jacob Markström had a relatively easy night, facing just 14 total shots, as the Devils secured the win.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Montreal Canadiens 2 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 9
The score says it all—this was a complete blowout. Montreal barely managed to score—with Nick Suzuki (1st period) and Joel Armia (2nd period) providing their only goals. Bryan Rust stole the show, netting a hat trick, while Rickard Rakell added two goals of his own. Pittsburgh turned the third period into a shooting gallery, scoring six unanswered goals and making Montreal’s defense look helpless.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Toronto Maple Leafs 3 vs. Anaheim Ducks 2
An unexpected barn burner saw Toronto come out on top, holding off the Ducks in the third period to secure a one-goal victory. Veteran Max Pacioretty played a key role, scoring two goals and assisting William Nylander. John Tavares also made an impact, picking up two assists, helping Toronto extend their winning streak to two games and remain atop the Atlantic Division.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Washington Capitals 2 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets 1 (OT)
The Capitals controlled most of the game, though the score remained tight throughout. Aliaksei Protas was the hero, scoring in the second period and burying the game-winner in overtime. Zach Werenski was the only bright spot for Columbus, but his efforts weren’t enough to hold off Washington in the extra period.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Philadelphia Flyers 4 vs. Detroit Red Wings 1
It was a quiet game in Philadelphia, until Scott Laughton took over, single-handedly dominating the scoreboard. The game remained defensive-minded until the second period, when Laughton sniped a beauty from 15 feet out, going bar down on a breakaway. That early dagger set the tone, as Laughton finished the night with four goals, including two empty netters, surpassing the 100-goal mark in his career.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
New York Islanders 5 vs. Chicago Blackhawks 4
Two struggling teams went all out on offense, resulting in a shootout-style game. Connor Bedard got the Blackhawks on the board first, but New York fired back with five consecutive goals, seemingly putting the game away. However, Chicago staged a late rally, scoring three unanswered goals, nearly completing a stunning comeback. The Islanders held on for the win, surviving a last-minute push from Chicago.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
St. Louis Blues 3 vs. San Jose Sharks 4
The final regular-season matchup between these two physical teams got chippy early, as Nathan Walker and Ty Dellandrea dropped the gloves right out of the gate. Jordan Binnington faced 31 shots, allowing four goals, with two coming from rookie Macklin Celebrini, who put on a show. After a grueling four-game road trip, the Sharks returned home victorious, looking to extend their winning streak in their next three home games.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Nashville Predators 4 vs. Dallas Stars 1
The Predators looked like a completely different team, largely due to their new goalie, Justus Annunen, who was an absolute wall, stopping 35 of 36 shots. Meanwhile, Dallas struggled offensively, managing just one goal all night. Ryan O’Reilly led the charge for Nashville, scoring twice, nearly completing a hat trick. The Stars will need to quickly regroup, as they look to bounce back after a tough loss to one of the NHL’s worst teams.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Edmonton Oilers 7 vs. Minnesota Wild 1
The Oilers walked into Minnesota and destroyed the league’s top team, leaving no room for mercy. Frederick Gaudreau gave the Wild an early lead, but after that, Edmonton took over completely, scoring seven unanswered goals. Seven different Oilers found the back of the net, as Edmonton skated circles around Minnesota’s defense, moving up to third place in the Pacific Division.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Tampa Bay Lightning 8 vs. Calgary Flames 3
The Lightning steamrolled the Flames, setting the tone with early goals from veterans Jonathan Huberdeau and Nikita Kucherov. Kucherov returned from injury and had a three-point night, while his teammate recorded his sixth career hat trick, sealing the 8-3 rout.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Vancouver Canucks 4 vs. Florida Panthers 0
In a surprising shutout, the Canucks blanked the Panthers, despite both teams having top-tier goalies. Florida actually outshot Vancouver 27-19, but Sergei Bobrovsky had an off night. The Canucks played excellent team hockey, with four different players scoring. J.T. Miller earned the “Star of the Night”, racking up two assists, helping Vancouver gain momentum ahead of their next home game against Boston.
Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network
Seattle Kraken 5 vs. Boston Bruins 1
Seattle dominated from the jump, with Oliver Bjorkstrand scoring just 24 seconds into the game, followed by Jaden Schwartz. Brad Marchand was the lone scorer for Boston, netting a penalty shot goal in the second period. Seattle shut things down from there, adding three unanswered goals to secure the 5-1 victory.
- – Dante Robinson | Senior NHL Analyst for TheNSR Network