Five Minute Major

*Photo from TSN*     When a team is hot, they're hot. Alexis Lafreniere had two assists, Jimmy Vesey scored the winning goal, and the New York Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night in Manhattan.    Coming off a 5-1 loss to an in-state rival in the Buffalo Sabres, the Rangers bounced back with a two goal rally in the 3rd period to knock off the Red Wings. The Rangers won their 8th game out of their last 10 and improved to 16-4-1, the best record in the NHL.    Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller said of the bounce back that "The biggest thing with this group is realizing that we have a really good team and we have a good structure. When everything is going we're usually winning those games. So it's sticking to what we're doing when we're winning those games and trying to play a full 60."    After a scoreless first period, Artemi Panarin got the Rangers on the board in the second period, giving them a 1-0 lead on...

*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*     Here comes Smashville. Michael McCarron scored two goals, Filip Forsberg scored the winning goal, and the Nashville Predators defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins with a 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday night in Nashville.    After 4 straight losses, the Predators have been on fire as of late, winning their 6th straight game and 5th straight at home as they improved their record to 11-10-0. McCarron's two goal game and Forsberg contributing a goal and an assist paced the Predators on the scoresheet.    McCarron said of the team's win streak that "It's tough to beat us. It’s fun to play. We roll over teams and just keep rolling and rolling. We’re finally starting to play as a group of five on the ice, which is awesome. If we can continue to get better every single day, we’ll be a force."    At the 10:20 mark of the first period, McCarron started the scoring for the Predators, making it 1-0 on his second ...

*Photo from the Marietta Daily Journal*     How's this for a close game? MacKenzie Blackwood had a good game in net, Luke Kunin scored the winning goal, and the San Jose Sharks defeated the Washington Capitals with a 2-1 victory on Monday in San Jose.    The Sharks picked up just their 5th win of the season and won their second straight game, the second time this season they've won two in a row. They also earned at least one point in 3 straight games for the first time this season. 6 different players recorded a point for the Sharks.    Sharks head coach David Quinn said after the game that "We've been scratching and clawing here over the past three weeks and I'm really proud of our guys. They're showing some characteristics that you need if you're going to have a successful season."    It was the Sharks who started the scoring in the game. Fabian Zetterlund got it going for the Sharks, scoring 10:23 into the game to make it 1-0 Sharks on his...

*Photo from Canes Country*     See the lead? Not anymore you don't. Seth Jarvis had two assists, Andrei Svechnikov had a goal and an assist, and the Carolina Hurricanes rallied to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 on Sunday afternoon in Raleigh.    Following a rough 8-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Hurricanes bounced back against a Metropolitan Division rival to win their 6th game in the last 10, sitting at 12-8-0 to open the season. The Hurricanes completed the win by scoring 3 goals in 8:04 to take down Columbus.    Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said that "It kind of felt like, here we go, it’s not our night. But I give our guys a lot of credit because there was no hanging their heads or anything. They just kept playing. We got what we deserved tonight, for sure."    After a scoreless first two periods, the Blue Jackets got on the board first. Just 13 seconds into the 3rd period, Kirill Marchenko gave Columbus a 1-0 lead ...

*Photo from TheScore*     Now that's a way to get back on track. Nico Hischier had a goal and an assist, Tyler Toffoli scored twice, and the New Jersey Devils routed the Buffalo Sabres with a 7-2 victory on Saturday in Newark.    The win snaps a 3 game losing streak for the Devils in convincing fashion as their record now sits at 9-9-1 on the season. Alexander Holtz, Dawson Mercer, and Luke Hughes had a goal and an assist each, while Jesper Bratt and Dougie Hamilton had two assists in addition to Toffoli and Hischier's games.    Devils head coach Lindy Ruff said that "We came out quick, speed through the neutral zone, speed on the entries. When you add a player like Nico, it kind of pushes the players back in position and gave us a little bit more depth in the top couple of lines, so I liked a lot about how we came out."    Holtz started the scoring for the Devils just 1:31 into the game, assisted by Hamilton and Erik Haula. At the 11:09 mark...

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*     Road game? No problem for the Kings. Anze Kopitar had a goal and an assist, Kevin Fiala potted two goals, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Anaheim Ducks with a 5-2 victory on Friday in Anaheim.    The Kings continue their red hot start to the season, winning their 4th straight game, 8th out of the last 10, and improve to 12-3-3 overall. In addition to Kopitar and Fiala's performances, the Kings saw Drew Doughty, Trevor Moore, and Adrian Kempe pick up two assists.    With the win, the Kings also continue their undefeated run away from home. Through 9 road games, the Kings are 9-0, good for the second longest streak in NHL history. Only the 2006-2007 Buffalo Sabres with 10 straight wins on the road have more.    After 10 minutes to open the game, Fiala got the Kings on the board. He scored on the power play to give them a 1-0 lead, assisted by Kopitar and Doughty on his 5th goal of the season. On the powe...

*Photo from the Chicago Sun-Times*     Thanksgiving wasn't so great for everyone. Chicago Blackhawks left wing Taylor Hall is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a right knee injury, according to head coach Luke Richardson.    According to Richardson, Hall has an injury to his ACL that requires surgery, thus ending his season. He was in the midst of his first season with the Blackhawks after he was acquired from the Boston Bruins over the offseason in exchange for Ian Mitchell and Alec Regula.    Hall initially injured his knee on November 9 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after a collision on the boards. He missed the next two games before returning for a back to back against the Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres over the weekend. He then missed Chicago's game on Wednesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.    The new season for Hall is over after just 10 games in the lineup. Since joining the team, he has two goals and two ass...

*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*     That's how you keep a winning streak going. Josh Morrissey had a goal and an assist, Adam Lowry scored in OT, and the Winnipeg Jets defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning with a 3-2 overtime victory on Wednesday night in Tampa Bay.    The Jets have taken home wins in 4 straight games and 7 of their last 8, pushing their record to 11-5-2 and sitting in 3rd place in the Central Division. Leading the charge on the scoresheet was Morrissey with a two point game, upping his recent total to 8 points in 4 games.    Jets interim head coach Scott Arniel said "That game had a little bit of everything. Both teams had momentum for stretches. Whether it was six or seven minutes where we were dominant and then they would take over for a while. Hellebuyck made some great stops for us. I've seen him make a lot of those. Sometimes we take him for granted because he does that on a regular basis."    Morrissey started...

*Photo from Beyond the Monster*     On Tuesday, Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic was released on bail following a not guilty plea in court following a Saturday arrest in Boston.    The Boston Police Department report says that Lucic appeared intoxicated when officers got to his residence on Saturday after receiving a call from his wife that he was harming her. He was arrested on charges of suspicion of assault and battery on a family member.    Lucic is taking an indefinite leave of absence from the Bruins and is entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, which the team confirmed. The charge that Lucic was arrested on carries a maximum penalty of 2 1/2 years in prison.    The Bruins said in a statement that "The Boston Bruins have been in communication with the Lucic family, offering our support and assistance. The organization is supportive of Milan’s decision to enter the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance program."    As a ...

*Photo from TSN*    Badly needed win, and against a division rival? Check and check. Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist, Rasmus Andersson scored the game winner, and the Calgary Flames defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-3 in overtime on Monday night in Seattle.    The Flames won for the 5th time in their last 10 games, sitting at 7-8-3 and in 6th place in the Pacific Division. The Flames have 3 wins in 4 games, with the one loss coming by way of a shootout. Huberdeau and Andersson were the multi point players, with Andersson having a goal and two assists.    Just 1:16 into the game, Elias Lindholm scored for the Flames, giving them a 1-0 lead on his 4th goal of the season. At the 8:42 mark of the first, Vince Dunn scored for the Kraken, tying the game 1-1 with an assist by Alex Wennberg. Huberdeau then scored a power play goal for the Flames, giving them a 2-1 lead after one period.    In the second period, Jordan Eberle tied the game back up ...

*Photo from The Athletic*     What a way to end the experience in Sweden. Morgan Rielly had a goal and two assists, William Nylander had a goal and an assist, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Minnesota Wild with a 4-3 overtime victory on Sunday in Stockholm.    Sunday served as the last game of a 4 game, 4 day global series trip to Stockholm, with the Maple Leafs coming out on top. They won both games in Stockholm as a result, handing the Wild their 5th straight loss in the process. Nylander made himself the star of the show, just as he did in game one.    Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews said that "It's been a great week for us. To see all the Swedes being home and the support for everybody, but obviously Willie for who he is as a player, as a person and what he represents here in Sweden. It's been a great week and fun to see that."    Jon Merrill started the scoring 2:37 into the game, giving the Wild a 1-0 lead on his first goal...

*Photo from MPR News*     Instead of one win, how about two? Erik Brannstrom scored a goal, Josh Norris had the game winner, and the Ottawa Senators defeated the Minnesota Wild with a 2-1 shootout victory on Saturday in Stockholm.    Ottawa picked up their 3rd straight win and second in two games in Stockholm by beating the Wild, improving to 8-7-0. It was a special day for Brannstrom and Anton Forsberg, with Brannstrom scoring in his home country and Forsberg winning in his home country.    Forsberg said after the game that "We're in a spot where we need to win every game now to get back on track and it was a good trip to get the group together. I think we've done it pretty well with having team dinners and stuff. The guys have had some fun and obviously with four points getting out of here, it couldn't have been better."    After a scoreless first period, Marco Rossi lit the lamp for the Wild in the second. He gave them a 1-0 lead after two...

*Photo from the Citrus County Chronicle*     Day two in Sweden was another thriller. Tyler Bertuzzi had a goal and an assist, John Tavares scored the winning goal, and the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Detroit Red Wings with a 3-2 victory on Friday in Stockholm.    The Maple Leafs opened up their two games in Sweden with 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period to take down the Red Wings, who end their Sweden trip with two losses. Tavares and William Nylander each had a goal and two assists, with Nylander extending his point streak to 16 games.    Nylander, who lives in Sweden, said that "I think this was really special and a lot of fun for sure and then obviously the win we were able to pull off after we had a slow two periods. The streak for me is what it is. I'm just focusing on working hard and if there is a point that happens, it happens. But the most important thing is that we get the win."    After a scoreless first period, Daniel Spron...

*Photo from the San Diego Union Tribune*     Welcome to Sweden, global series. Brady Tkachuk scored two goals, Tim Stutzle had a goal and an assist, and the Ottawa Senators defeated the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime on Thursday in Stockholm.    In game one of 4 total in Sweden, it was the Senators who came out on top in front of a packed house in Stockholm. Josh Norris and Jake Sanderson had a goal and an assist, while Drake Batherson and Vladimir Tarasenko had two assists in addition to Tkachuk and Stutzle's multi point games.    Tkachuk said after the game that "Of course, there's things we need to clean up but I think it showed a little maturity there in the third period because of course the second didn't go our way so just simplify, play the right way and I wouldn't say just get it to overtime but just play the right way and do it one shift at a time. I was proud of the maturity that we showed there in the third and of course it was an unreal play ...

*Photo from WRAL Sports Fan*     They were certainly flying in this game. Owen Tippett scored, Carter Hart dazzled in net, and the Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes with a 3-1 victory on Wednesday night in Raleigh.    The Flyers won their 3rd straight game as they dispatched the Hurricanes, sitting at 8-7-1 and 4th place in the Metropolitan Division. 9 different skaters recorded a point for the Flyers as they used a fast start to take control early.    Flyers forward Travis Konecny said that "We knew they wanted to play a fast game and create turnovers and get in behind us. As long as we just frustrated them by chipping pucks in, chipping pucks out and sticking to our game plan, when we got our chances we were going to bear down and hope for the best."    Early in the game, the Flyers took the lead. It was Tippett who got it done, scoring just 1:50 into the game to make it 1-0 Flyers with assists going to Louis Belpedio and...

*Photo from Idaho Press*     This night, the stars were bright. Tyler Seguin had a goal and an assist, Matt Duchene scored the game winning goal, and the Dallas Stars defeated the Arizona Coyotes with a 4-3 overtime win on Tuesday in Dallas.    The Stars are enjoying a tremendous start to the season, having won their 4th straight game as they improve to 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and 11-3-1 on the season. Duchene and Seguin each had a goal and an assist as the Stars rallied from a late deficit to pull off a win in overtime.    Stars head coach Pete Deboer said that "Those are the games that kind of tell you about your group and how they react to situations like that. We didn’t sag. We hopped over the boards and immediately got back on our toes and started to work for the next offensive play. I liked our response. You’re going to go through 82 games, you’re going to have situations like that where you blow leads or the other team is opportunistic. You...

*Photo from TSN*     Maybe this was the spark they needed. Connor McDavid had a goal and an assist, Leon Draisaitl had a goal and 3 assists, and the Edmonton Oilers defeated the New York Islanders with a 4-1 victory on Monday night in Edmonton.    The win is the first on home ice this year for the Oilers, who also won their second straight game to improve to 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and 4-9-1 on the season. 5 different skaters had a point for the Oilers, with Draisaitl and McDavid continuing to lead the charge.    Edmonton also won their first game in the Kris Knoblauch era behind the bench. After the Oilers fired Jay Woodcroft on Sunday, the Oilers hired Knoblauch from the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack to be the new head coach. Knoblauch coached McDavid in junior hockey with the Erie Otters of the OHL.    Knoblauch said of the win that "It feels amazing to get that first win, being a head coach was a highlight, just being here and obviously it gets ...

*Photo from the Los Angeles Times*     This team is hard to keep down for very long. Ryan Strome had two assists, Frank Vatrano had two goals and an assist, and the Anaheim Ducks defeated the San Jose Sharks with a 4-1 victory on Sunday night in Anaheim.    The Ducks snapped a brief two game skid with the win, improving to 7-3-0 in their last 10 games as they stand with an 8-6-0 record and 4th place in the Pacific Division. Vatrano upped his goal total to 11 with his two goal game, leading the Ducks and tied for 3rd in the NHL in goals.    Anaheim head coach Greg Cronin said of Vatrano's play that "Frankie is an easy guy to coach because he's a high-energy guy. He's got a very high standard for self-accountability, so when you're trying to coach players to a level they're not comfortable playing at, he's an easy guy to push himself to those zones. Frankie's DNA is to play at that level all the time."    At the 4:49 mark of the first period, V...

*Photo from Yahoo News*     Things are all right in the U.S. capital so far. Hunter Shepard had a big night in goal, Alex Ovechkin scored twice, and the Washington Capitals defeated the New York Islanders with a 4-1 victory on Saturday night on Long Island.    The Capitals have been on a run as of late. They are 6-1-1 in their last 8 games and 7-4-2 to open the season after missing the playoffs last year. They blocked 32 shots to outmuscle the Islanders as they won both ends of the back to back after winning on Friday night.    Ovechkin said of the team's two straight wins that "Everybody was all in. It was back-to-back. We played against a good team. We all knew it wasn’t going to be so easy. Everybody played smart. Everybody played simple. Shepard today was unbelievable. Huge saves. Our defense did a good job at blocking shots."    Kicking off the scoring for the Capitals was Ovechkin. He scored his 3rd goal of the season 9:18 into the game...

*Photo from Yahoo News*     They're finding ways to get the job done lately. Jeff Skinner had a goal and an assist, JJ Peterka had an identical line, and the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Minnesota Wild with a 3-2 victory on Friday night in Buffalo.    With the win, the Sabres improved to 4-1-1 in their last 6 games, 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, and 7-6-1 on the season. They dealt the Wild their 6th loss in 8 games and 7th in 10 as Skinner and Peterka were the multi point scorers for the Sabres.    Sabres head coach Don Granato said that "Hopefully, finding a way to win is going to become a typical way, because we needed to find a way to win tonight. I thought specifically in the third period, the determination elevated, you saw it down the stretch. And Devon played very well obviously, to do that, that’s what good goaltenders do and good goaltending does, and it worked out. I thought it was, in the end, a heck of a gut check for our guys, and they...