It was quite a day of hockey last night in the National Hockey League, with a huge number of goals scored.
It’s also worth noting that of the 15 games, 13 teams on the road won their games, which is an NHL record for a single day.
Without further ado, here are the things that caught the eye yesterday in the NHL.
1. Lightning celebrate Andrei Vasilevskiy’s return in style
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Russian goaltender returned to action last night after missing the entire start of the season – exactly 20 games.
For the occasion, the Lightning faced the Carolina Hurricanes.
It wasn’t going to be an easy test, but in the end, Vasilevskiy allowed just two goals on 24 shots in an 8-2 victory.
Yes, yes, 8 to 2.
And that’s where the record set by the Lightning comes in.
Tampa scored eight goals on 14 shots, which is a record in terms of goals-per-shot percentage (57.1%).
Brayden Point (three goals and two assists) and Nikita Kucherov (two goals and four assists) had a blast in this game.
Brayden Point caps off a five-point night with a hat trick for the @TBLightning! ⚡️
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/KXW3rKEBMe
– NHL (@NHL) November 25, 2023
Antti Raanta also set an NHL record with his .428 save percentage. This is the worst percentage ever recorded since the statistic was first tracked in 1959-1960.
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2. William Nylander’s streak comes to an end against the Blackhawks
The Maple Leafs were in Chicago last night to take on the Blackhawks.
Of course, the Maple Leafs were expected to win, but Jason Dickinson had another plan in mind, as he scored the first hat trick of his career.
Jason Dickinson records the first hat trick of his career! 👏
Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/7EZtpGuQHR
– NHL (@NHL) November 24, 2023
In a 4-3 overtime loss, William Nylander didn’t get a point, ending his streak of 17 games with at least one point to start the season.
He was so close to extending his streak.
William Nylander’s point streak was THIS close to not coming to an end pic.twitter.com/Xh4PBc6hi0
– BarDown (@BarDown) November 24, 2023
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3. Only their second loss in regulation time for the Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are virtually unbeatable once again this season.
I don’t know what’s in the team’s drinking water, but it’s working.
The team had only lost once in regulation time since the start of the season before last night, when the Red Wings surprisingly beat them 5-2.
Dylan Larkin finishes off a great feed from Compher for a quick response on the power play! #LGRW pic.twitter.com/q7ltotJ3dB
– Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 24, 2023
This is a very big win for the Wings, who continue to surprise everyone this year by holding onto a playoff spot.
Will they make it all the way?
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4. Five unanswered goals give Flames victory
The Calgary Flames got off to a rocky start to the season, but slowly but surely, they’re getting back on track and racking up the points.
Last night, against one of the NHL’s top teams, the Dallas Stars, the Flames managed to come from behind and win.
They scored five unanswered goals to win 7-4.
The @NHLFlames scored FIVE UNANSWERED GOALS for the comeback win! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/miJTtMUgqG
– NHL (@NHL) November 25, 2023
The Stars had started the game well, however, with this superb goal from Jason Robertson, among others.
🤖 ROBO FROM A RIDICULOUS ANGLE 🤖
📺: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/NSbPwlUj0A
– NHL (@NHL) November 25, 2023
In short, the Flames are now just two points out of the playoffs.
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5. What a fine goal from Nikolaj Ehlers
If there’s one very underrated player on the Winnipeg Jets, it’s Nikolaj Ehlers.
The Dane doesn’t always get the praise he deserves, and his coach doesn’t always play him as much as he should, but he’s still an extremely talented player, as evidenced by his goal yesterday.
OH MY, NIKOLAJ EHLERS, WHAT A GOAL! 😳 pic.twitter.com/JPK3U7Bjpe
– NHL (@NHL) November 25, 2023
It was Ehlers’ 6ᵉ goal of the season, as he continues to help the Winnipeg Jets enjoy great success this season.
Extension
– Because it deserves to be seen again, this Jesse Ylönen goal.
Those are some nifty mitts indeed! 🧤
Jesse Ylönen scores the shootout winner for the @CanadiensMTL! pic.twitter.com/omVVZrxG4G
– NHL (@NHL) November 24, 2023
– Two goals in six seconds for the Islanders.
TWO GOALS IN SIX SECONDS?! 🤯
Yeah, the @NYIslanders just did that. pic.twitter.com/38Gdg9EPJg
– NHL (@NHL) November 25, 2023
– Kent Johnson has a blast on shootouts in the American League.
KENT JOHNSON HOW ARE YA?! 😵@monstershockey | #TORvsCLE pic.twitter.com/8fQOMi3Lho
– American Hockey League (@TheAHL) November 25, 2023
– Here are yesterday’s results.
13 was the lucky number for road teams Friday as visiting clubs won all but two games.
It marked the most road victories on one day in NHL history.#NHLStats: https://t.co/Hs4MgAEZI2 pic.twitter.com/5zG8rtLEzv
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 25, 2023
– Here are the night’s top scorers.
– Today’s NHL schedule: eight games.