Tag: Vegas Golden Knights

Leon Draisaitl led the Edmonton Oilers to a commanding 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights, netting his league-best 22nd goal and adding two assists. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor Brown both recorded a goal and an assist, while Zach Hyman and Corey Perry also found the back of the net. Stuart Skinner stood tall with 38 saves as Edmonton extended their winning streak to a season-high five games, improving to 8-2-0 in their last 10 outings. Vegas, whose four-game win streak came to an end, got goals from Ivan Barbashev, Brett Howden, and Victor Olofsson, but their comeback attempt fell short.

Brady Tkachuk delivered a highlight-reel overtime winner for the Ottawa Senators, securing a 3-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Tkachuk’s club-leading 15th goal, assisted by Jake Sanderson, capped Ottawa’s third straight win and extended their strong form to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for Ottawa, while Pittsburgh saw scoring contributions from Kris Letang and Blake Lizotte in a hard-fought matchup.

The Dallas Stars edged the St. Louis Blues 2-1 in overtime, with Matt Duchene scoring the game-winner on a rush up the ice. Jason Robertson contributed a goal and an assist, and Jake Oettinger made a crucial save in overtime before the decisive goal. Jordan Kyrou scored the lone goal for St. Louis, which has been solid under new coach Jim Montgomery, going 5-2-2 in their last nine games.

The Anaheim Ducks snapped a five-game skid with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, fueled by Alex Killorn’s two-goal performance, including the game-winner. Jackson LaCombe added a goal and an assist, while Mason McTavish reached his 100th career point. Columbus, despite scoring twice in quick succession during the first period, fell to 1-4-2 in their last seven games.

A four-goal third period propelled the New Jersey Devils to a 4-1 comeback win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier scored in a two-minute flurry to seal the Devils’ second straight victory. Dawson Mercer started the rally, while Chicago, enduring their seventh loss in eight games, managed a single goal from Jason Dickinson.

David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha led the Boston Bruins to a 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Pastrnak’s four-point night included his 400th career assist, and Zacha added a goal and two assists in the convincing victory. Vancouver, struggling to gain momentum, got a lone goal from Max Sasson, while Thatcher Demko made 23 saves in his second start after returning from injury.

The Los Angeles Kings dominated the New York Rangers 5-1, scoring three times in the second period to take control of the game. Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield were standouts with a goal and an assist each, while Darcy Kuemper made 31 saves to secure the win. The Rangers pulled Igor Shesterkin after the early barrage as the Kings notched their seventh victory in eight games.

Kirill Kaprizov scored twice as the Minnesota Wild rebounded from a tough loss to beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1. Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi added goals, while Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his 567th career win, keeping him second all-time. The Flyers, who had been on a two-game win streak, managed just one goal, scored by Travis Sanheim.

In other notable games, the Detroit Red Wings beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 behind Jeff Petry’s two goals, the Tampa Bay Lightning cruised past the Seattle Kraken 5-1 with Jake Guentzel extending his scoring streak, and the Calgary Flames blanked the Florida Panthers 3-0 with Dustin Wolf recording a shutout. Meanwhile, Washington, Winnipeg, and Colorado also secured victories, and the Utah Hockey Club edged the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in a closely contested matchup.

Jack Eichel’s national pride was clear when he talked about representing the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

During a Team USA Zoom call on Thursday, Eichel quickly responded when reminded that U.S. teams with NHL players haven’t won a gold medal in best-on-best international tournaments since the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.

“I’ll take it,” Eichel said after Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy apologized for not hearing the question.

Eichel explained, “I think there’s a lot to prove for us as USA Hockey. I think for a while it was Canada on a pedestal by themselves. And I think for us, we feel like we’ve closed that gap. And I think this is a great opportunity to prove that.”

Eichel, who is from the Boston area, made his case by mentioning the growing number of American players in the NHL, many of whom came through the U.S. national development program in the past decade. Eichel himself is one of those players, as are many of his teammates.

“Obviously, we feel very confident in our group and the names on our roster,” Eichel said. “But that’s only half the battle. You’ve got to go out there and do it. And we’re excited for that opportunity.”

The 4 Nations Face-Off was introduced during last All-Star Weekend. It divides NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the U.S. into four teams, replacing the All-Star Game this season.

Eichel’s comments came a day after the teams revealed their full rosters for the NHL/NHL Players’ Association-backed tournament, which will take place in Montreal and Boston from February 12-20.

The U.S. team is filled with talent but has not been successful at the senior international level. The U.S. last medaled at the world championships in 2021, winning bronze, and has not placed higher than third since the 1960 Winter Games at Squaw Valley. The Americans’ last Olympic gold came in 1980, when they were amateurs and famously won the “Miracle on Ice.” The U.S. also won silver medals in 2002 and 2010, but lost to Canada both times.

In 1996, U.S. goalie Mike Richter was named World Cup MVP as he helped the Americans defeat Canada in the decisive Game 3 of the final series.

“I think we check every box there is,” McAvoy said. “I think the confidence amongst us in our group should be sky high.”

The U.S. team’s leadership, including Wild GM Bill Guerin and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan, focused on experience when choosing players. The oldest players on the team are forwards Chris Kreider of the Rangers and Brock Nelson of the Islanders, both 33 and with a lot of world championships experience.

The youngest player is 22-year-old Brock Faber, a defenseman from Minnesota who has Olympic experience after playing in the 2022 Beijing Games when the NHL did not participate due to pandemic-related issues.

The U.S. will face a talented Team Canada, which includes superstars like Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and defenseman Cale Makar.

Team USA has a strong lineup, especially at center, with Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Dylan Larkin. The U.S. also has a solid group of goalies, including two-time Vezina Trophy-winner Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman.

USA Hockey has recently seen success, winning two of the past four world junior championships and six total since 2004. McAvoy, Oettinger, and defenseman Adam Fox were part of the U.S. team that won the 2017 world junior title.

Canada, too, has a veteran-heavy squad, including 14 players with at least one Stanley Cup title.

“You can’t put a price tag on experience,” said Canada coach Jon Cooper, who also coaches the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Cooper added, “I truly believe this is a tournament where you’re basically playing three Game 7s in the preliminary round. There’s no real margin for error. This is as competitive a group as you will find. Every one of these players will lay in traffic for their country.”