NHL scores 2016: Johnny Gaudreau returns to set fire to the Anaheim Ducks

Nobody told us the return of Johnny Gaudreau would usher in one of the best offensive performances in hockey this year. Much less the utter unraveling of the Anaheim Ducks.

But that’s precisely what unfolded as most North Americans grew bored with the rout going on on Sunday Night Football. The young man known as “Johnny Hockey” returned early from a broken finger on Sunday, and immediately reminded everyone what they’ve missed with an opening goal.

But then he took a backseat to the rest of his team’s theatrics. One minute, the Ducks had the 2-1 lead and a win right in front of them. The next, their coach was trying to rip his earlobe off in mindless frustration.

Yes, the Ducks in their 8-3 loss to Calgary simply imploded into a ball of feathers like an actual duck does when you shoot it. (Note: I don’t know if this is true. I’ve never shot a duck. Don’t hold me to this, but enjoy the speculative imagery.)

The Randy Carlyle hiring was derided by those in the stats community, and rightfully so. After all, this is the man who led the Toronto Maple Leafs to the playoffs once with ridiculous possession and shot luck and promptly led them into the tank when his true possession-metrics-aversion style set in.

And yet, the Ducks haven’t had many nights like this as they sit near the top of the Pacific Division. In fact, they were holding steady with the Flames until they cratered in that horrific second period. At any rate, this is the kind of washout that will require some soul-searching on the plane home to Anaheim. The ship needs to be righted before it completely tips.

Meanwhile, the Flames must’ve been siphoning off the puck wizardry that Gaudreau brought back to the Saddledome on Sunday. They were relentless driving to the net, finishing scoring chances and even fought back when the Ducks desperately tried to punch them into oblivion as the third period started. It was as impressive a win as any under Glen Gulutzan so far this season, and something to build on.

Where both teams go from this turning point is worth watching.

Canadiens 5, Kings 4 (SO)

Hurricanes 1, Lightning 0 (OT)

Flyers 4, Predators 2

Red Wings 4, Islanders 3 (OT)

Jets 2, Blackhawks 1

Wild 2, Oilers 1 (OT)

Flames 8, Ducks 3

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1. The Jets came away with a huge weekend

Winnipeg entered the weekend with a daunting task: hit the road for a two-game swing against the Blackhawks and Blues. The two top teams in the Central Division, on back-to-back nights.

The young Jets prevailed in an impressive way. They snuck out of St. Louis with two points in overtime on Saturday, and then narrowly edged out the Blackhawks on weary legs on Sunday in Chicago.

That’s four points earned against two major division rivals in a tough schedule situation. And just like that, Winnipeg ends the short trip in a playoff spot, only two points behind the Blues and tied with the Wild for third in the Central.

2. The Flyers are feeling it

Winnipeg wasn’t the only team to climb up the standings on Sunday.

Philadelphia rolled into Nashville on Sunday morning and rolled out with their fifth straight win, propelling them deeper into the Eastern Conference playoff hunt. Those five wins came against the Predators, Blackhawks, Senators, Bruins and Flames.

Not too shabby.

3. Ben Bishop comes up big for his coach

Sunday was the perfect opportunity for Jon Cooper to give backup Andrey Vasilevskiy a start in net. After all, Ben Bishop had played a grueling (if great) game the night before, and Vasilevskiy is a borderline Vezina Trophy candidate right now.

But Bishop is just now starting to turn a corner, and Cooper gave him a tough assignment: replicate Saturday’s excellent performance less than 24 hours later.

Bishop came through, for the most part, holding the Hurricanes off the board until overtime in a 1-0 loss. That’s a heck of a weekend in terms of getting back in your coach’s good graces.

Mark Letestu lost his man in overtime and Mikko Koivu made him pay.