NHL scores 2016: Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets streak wins further into double digits

The NHL returned from holiday break on Tuesday, and so did the heat emanating from the league’s two brightest-burning teams.

Yes, I’m talking about the Blue Jackets. They beat the Bruins for their 13th straight win. But they do that all the time.

Let’s talk about the Minnesota Wild.

While the Blue Jackets have (rightly) earned most of the headlines over the past month for their play, the Wild have quietly racked up quite the feat of their own in the Western Conference. Minnesota exited the holiday fog of war with continued purpose against their divisional foes in Nashville, holding fast for a win in overtime. It was their 11th straight victory, no less impressive than Columbus’ streak but perhaps more influential in the grand scheme of things.

Minnesota’s rapid ascent gives them second place in the Central, ahead of the likes of St. Louis and Dallas, both teams starting to show signs of improvement or return to form. Minnesota couldn’t have timed their run any better before the final half of the season kicks into high gear.

Islanders 4, Capitals 3

Rangers 4, Senators 3

Penguins 5, Devils 2

Blue Jackets 4, Bruins 3

Sabres 4, Red Wings 3

Wild 3, Predators 2 (OT)

Jets 3, Blackhawks 1

Flames 6, Avalanche 3

Stars 3, Coyotes 2

Sharks 3, Ducks 2 (OT)

He may have hit a high point early with that Stanley Cup run in 2009, but Sidney Crosby is truly at his peak right now. And he’s finishing a terrific year off with a bang, extending his goal streak to four straight games in Pittsburgh’s win over the Devils on Tuesday.

The Penguins have won 10-of-13 games in December while outscoring opponents 57-32. Crosby is a huge part of that, on pace to win the Art Ross Trophy for most points this season over Connor McDavid.

That GIF doesn’t even include the forced turnover by Hall at the blue line to start that sequence. What a dynamic weapon in New Jersey’s arsenal now.

The Predators are starting a very important week, with three straight games against division rivals. They didn’t get off to a great start.

Well, Filip Forsberg did.

But forcing the Wild to overtime wouldn’t be enough, as Nashville dropped another game in extra time. Since the NHL went to the 3-on-3 format, the Predators are 2-17 after regulation.

Meanwhile, the Ducks were mired in the same predicament. They forced overtime against the Sharks, as well, and deserved a full two points for their effort. It didn’t happen.

Guess what happened based on these tweets from our Ducks blog in the span of six minutes.

Anaheim is 0-6 this season in overtime.

The Arizona Coyotes aren’t winning games, but you can’t say their goalie has given up the fight.

Literally. Stars center Radek Faksa took one too many swipes at Mike Smith after the whistle and chaos ensued.