Another game day of the National Hockey League regular season delivered three bright stories to fans at once: a unique historical achievement by the league's main star in Edmonton, a confident triumph for Washington on home ice, and a truly dramatic finish in Seattle where the outcome was decided in the final seconds of the third period. Let's review the key events of the day in order.
McDavid Sets Absolute NHL Record
In the West, Edmonton remains the sole leader, shutting out Calgary 4:0 in the Battle of Alberta. The hero of the match was Oilers captain Connor McDavid, who provided two assists and thereby set an absolute record in league history. According to the source, he became the first player in NHL history to record at least one assist in each of the first 13 games of a season. Such a consistent start underlines how confidently the Oilers star is entering the new championship and cementing his status as one of the main contenders for individual awards.
Washington Solidifies Top-4 Division Spot
In a parallel matchup, Washington confidently defeated Philadelphia 5:2 on home ice. For the capital club, this is already their fourth victory in the last five games, moving the team into the top 4 of its division. Forwards Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou made significant contributions to the triumph, each scoring a brace. At the other end of the rink, Philadelphia's ongoing crisis continues as they have won only three of their last 15 games, making them one of the most unstable teams in the league during this stretch.
Drama in Seattle: McKenna's Brace Cannot Save Toronto
The most dramatic match of the evening took place in Seattle, where the local Kraken defeated Toronto 5:4. The game was remembered for the first NHL brace by young Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna, though his individual achievement did not save the team from defeat. Brandon Montour's precise shot in the final seconds of the third period secured the victory for the hosts, sealing a tense encounter in favor of the Kraken.
Colorado Ends Devils' Winning Streak
In another matchup, Colorado defeated New Jersey 5:2, turning the game around in the third period when they were already trailing 4:1 to the hosts. This victory allowed the Avalanche to snap the Devils' four-game winning streak and regain the initiative in the battle for the top spots in the division.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian national hockey team previously announced its roster for the European Nations Cup, adding extra context to the hockey day outside the NHL. Thus, the league's matchday sparked both McDavid's historic record and dramatic finishes that make the regular season unpredictable from game to game.
