Edmonton Oilers 9-4 Seattle Kraken
It was goals galore in Alberta, where the Edmonton Oilers topped the visiting Seattle Kraken 9-4. The hosts got off to a fast start, getting goals from Connor McDavid, Vasili Podkolzin, and Leon Draisaitl in the first 11 and a half minutes to take a 3-0 lead.
It was after that where the Kraken got going. By the end of the opening frame, they reduced the deficit to one. Eeli Tolvanen and Frederick Gaudreau gave their team hope going into the intermission.
However, the problem Seattle ended up having was that the Oilers would score thrice before they could react. Matthew Savoie and Zach Hyman added their name to scoresheet, while McDavid picked up his second of the night. Even though Jared McCann netted the visitors' third, they went into the third period down three goals.
It only got worse for the league's second-newest team. McDavid completed his hat-trick in the third, scoring the last of his team's nine goals. Mattias Janmark and Savoie contributed in what was a mirror image of the second frame. Jani Nyman added a consolation a few seconds before regulation ended.
The Oilers won a game in regulation for just the seventh time this year, having conceded the joint-most goals in the league at 100. Ironically, the Kraken have scored the fewest in the NHL at just 63.
Columbus Blue Jackets 6-5 Detroit Red Wings (SO)
A back-and-forth encounter occurred at the Nationwide Arena in Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets prevailed in a shootout over the Detroit Red Wings. Ivan Provorov put the home team in front late on in what was the only goal of the opening period.
It took Dylan Larkin just 69 seconds to tie things up in the second for the Red Wings, who were on a power play. The goals started flowing after that, with the Blue Jackets going back in front through Kirill Marchenko. Kent Johnson gave them a two-goal lead moments later.
Remarkably, Detroit tied things up just after the midway mark of the frame. Lucas Raymond and James Van Riemsdyk netted man advantage chances for the guests, making it 3-3. Still, they found themselves behind by the end of the period, as Adam Fantilli scored three and a half minutes after the equalizer.
The Red Wings regrouped and then took the lead in the third period. Patrick Kane managed to get on the scoreboard first, then Alex DeBrincat made it 5-4 with a good finish.
Columbus refused to give in, and would tie the game with a minute and a half left in regulation. Fantilli grabbed his second of the game to force overtime and, ultimately, a shootout.
The Blue Jackets were the only side to score in the shootout, with Johnson and Marchenko beating Cameron Talbot. While Fantilli could not convert his effort, that seldom mattered, as Van Riemsdyk and Raymond were also thwarted.
Both teams are now on 31 points, though the Blue Jackets have jumped ahead in the Eastern Conference. They have already won six games in overtime/a shootout this season, a number only bettered by the Philadelphia Flyers (7).
Other results
Tampa Bay Lightning 3-4 Pittsburgh Penguins
Ottawa Senators 2-4 New York Rangers
New York Islanders 6-3 Colorado Avalanche
Florida Panthers 1-2 Nasvhille Predators (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 1-5 Toronto Maple Leafs
Boston Bruins 5-2 St. Louis Blues
Calgary Flames 4-1 Minnesota Wild
Los Angeles Kings 1-2 Chicago Blackhawks