NHL scores 2017: Taylor Hall returned to Edmonton and hockey tapped into its violent side

Hockey really needed to blow off some steam on Thursday.

You may have noticed that the NHL isn’t nearly as violent as it used to be even five years ago. Sometimes you’ll get a fight or three a night. Sometimes you’ll get a line brawl once every two months. Sometimes you’ll get a coach trying to fight an entire opposing team in a hallway every lifetime.

So nights like Thursday stand out in their sheer violent delights.

Let’s count the ways.

Tuukka Rask took a slap shot to the chin (essentially) and left the game in Nashville. A Bruins rookie landed a headshot on Predators top defenseman Roman Josi. Then a Bruins veteran pulverized Nashville’s newest player in a lopsided fight.

That was just one game.

About that same time, Loui Eriksson was both A) getting his head sandwiched by two Flyers players and B) somehow not getting assessed for a concussion immediately.

AND ...

These violent delights have violent ends. I heard that on a television program once. I think it was Lost.

Flyers 5, Canucks 4 (SO)

Senators 4, Penguins 1

Lightning 4, Sabres 2

Wild 7, Canadiens 1

Predators 2, Bruins 1

Stars 5, Red Wings 2

Ducks 4, Avalanche 1

Oilers 3, Devils 2 (OT)

Kings 5, Blues 1

The Canadiens went up against one of the hottest teams in the NHL last night and gave up at least seven goals ... for the second time this season.

Early in the campaign it was a 10-0 drubbing in Columbus, who would go on a historic 16-game win streak. They ended Minnesota’s 12-game win streak in the process, but the Wild haven’t slowed down: they’ve won three out of their last four games since that New Year’s Eve bout.

And they steamrolled the Canadiens on home ice. Nino Niederreiter scored twice, Eric Steal continued his strong season and Devan Dubnyk came within one shot of a shutout. And Carey Price stayed in the Habs’ net for all seven goals. Why?

That’s some good logic from a stand-up teammate. Though I’m willing to bet he doesn’t see it as a noble thing; it’s just the thing to do. Which is even better.

The Ottawa Senators are quietly going about their business as a top team in the NHL this year, but they made quite a statement on Thursday. With the Penguins in town, the Senators dropped a three-goal lead on them early and rode it out for a win. It’s the first time since last season that the Penguins have lost two consecutive games in regulation.

The big news out of it, though, was this:

He’s a fiery guy. I’d toss him out too if I thought dramatic, ominous music would follow his ire.

The two spent a couple of seasons together with the Dallas Stars back in the day, so it was nice to see them catch up during warm-ups.

One elder statesman and former mentor to his protege. Or something. Go with it.

But then the game started and the roles flipped. Ott was suddenly the little brother trying to get back at the older brother in vain.

Hockey is so weird, yet so wonderful.

Gonna go ahead and call this the impact moment. Because if Taylor Hall returning to Edmonton wasn’t tense enough ...

Yeah, but that’s still pretty great!