We’ll touch on the Oilers later in the post, but let me just say this: If that’s what Edmonton is capable of when it’s playing to its full potential, then that is going to be one scary team during the next decade. We just watched that young, talented team learn how to buckle down and win in a very tough situation, one of many lessons we’ll watch them learn as they climb to the top of the league.
NHL Scores: Lightning end losing streak, Oilers mount record comeback
Edmonton is scary good.
Derek Leung
Or, you can spend your Saturday nights out partying and missing these moments. In case you did, we’ve got you covered.
All The NHL Scores
Get caught up on last night’s NHL scores with recaps from our network of SB Nation team blogs. Here’s a quick glance at the full night of action:
Maple Leafs 3, Senators 0
Canadiens 4, Flyers 1
Coyotes 5, Blue Jackets 3
Ducks 3, Predators 2 (SO)
Oilers 6, Avalanche 4
Five Answers
Prior to last night’s games, we presented five burning questions regarding the night’s action. Here are your cool, soothing answers.
1. Which losing streak ends on Saturday?
Tampa Bay barely eked out a 6-5 overtime win over Florida, but it didn’t come easy. The Lightning had to erase a two-goal deficit in the third period just to get to the extra frame. Florida put up a great fight and probably deserved to win but have now lost four straight games. Thanks to the win, the Lightning are now within striking distance of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
They came close, but the Ducks ultimately prevailed in a shootout as Pekka Rinne's shutout streak finally ended at 155 minutes and six seconds. The good news Saturday was that Shea Weber finally scored his first goal of the season. If he can start getting his offensive game going then the Predators won't have to struggle to score like they did against the Ducks. Though let's be honest, every team is struggling to score against the Ducks these days.
3. Can Brian Boucher lead the Flyers to a big road win?
Well, the good news is that the Flyers stopped trading wins and losses. Unfortunately they’ve now lost two in a row. The loss had little to do with Boucher, however, as Claude Giroux explained after the game:
Captain Claude Giroux's concern with his team's flat play was evident when he spoke after the game.
"There's no compete," he said. "We're not winning battles.
"We're just going through the motions. You know, we're a young team that can skate. We should be winning more battles than this. It's just frustrating to see. I know I have to be better, but a team is 20 guys and you need everybody to show up."
4. Will Viktor Fasth ever lose a game?
Nope. Fasth stopped 32 of 34 shots and earned the win. He can do no wrong right now.
5. Will the Edmonton Oilers find their scoring touch once more?
Boy, did they. Edmonton registered 56 shots in a thrilling 6-4 comeback over the Avs, breaking their previous franchise record of 55. It was the perfect example of how potent this team can be offensively when they get everything figured out.
Impact Moment
What moment from last night’s games will be making headlines in the coming days?
It might not make headlines, but the fact that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied a goal for the first time this season is huge news for the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton has been struggling to score goals lately, which is puzzling when you consider the offensive talent they have in Taylor Hall, Justin Schultz, Jordan Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins. A healthy, scoring Nugent-Hopkins is exactly what the Oilers need right now.
Viktor Fasth is now 8-0-0 this season, one victory shy of Ray Emery's record of nine consecutive wins to start a rookie season.
- Worst. Fight. Ever.
- John Tavares recorded a hat trick last night.
- Journalism! Looks like Brian Boucher and Terry Murray's recent quotes were fabricated.
- Finally, the NHL.com headline writers really had to stretch for this one:
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