Nikolaj Ehlers (2-2-4) and Gabriel Vilardi (1-3-4) each posted four-point nights to help the @NHLJets complete a League-leading fourth multi-goal comeback win (tied).#NHLStats: https://t.co/gJRvvZsHz4 pic.twitter.com/Eo4qMplQNG
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 14, 2023
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Wednesday night wasn't the busiest in the NHL this season. Only five games were on the schedule, including the Habs against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Martin St-Louis' men lost in overtime, but let's take a look at what happened elsewhere in the league.
1: Jack Hughes, the Devils' hero
The Boston Bruins were visiting New Jersey to take on the Devils last night, and the game was exciting all the way.
There weren't many goals scored in the game, so by the end of the third period, the score was only one to one…
And extra time was needed in the match to determine a winner between the two clubs.
That's when Jack Hughes stepped up to play hero: settled in the enclave, he received a deft pass from Jesper Bratt before drawing to the net to beat Jeremy Swayman with a good wrist shot.
JACK HUGHES
Jesper Bratt sets up Jack Hughes(@jhugh86) for the @Energizer overtime winner! pic.twitter.com/oIRgISZXzk
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
Hughes has now collected 34 points in just 22 games this season. Since last year, he's really taken it to the next level….
2: Nathan MacKinnon, the hottest player in the league right now
When Nathan MacKinnon gets going, he's hard to stop. And last night's game was a fine example.
The Avalanche's star player picked up two assists in his team's win over the Buffalo Sabres.
That gives him a point in his thirteenth consecutive game, the third-longest such streak in the NHL this season…
Nathan MacKinnon stays hot!
That's the third-longest point streak of the season! pic.twitter.com/EHcD7n1UUK
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
The Avalanche won the game 5-1, and Jonathan Drouin also contributed an assist.
He has nine points (three goals) in 27 games this season.
Mikko Rantanen's performance (one goal and two assists) is also noteworthy.
3: Gabriel Vilardi has fun against his former club
Gabriel Vilardi was traded from the Kings to the Jets this summer, and last night was his first opportunity to play a game at his former home.
How did he respond?
The right-handed forward had one of the best nights of his career. He finished the game with four points (one goal, three assists) and a +5 rating.
Basically, it's simple. Vilardi was on the ice for every goal in his club's 5-2 win over the Kings:
What a night for Gabriel Vilardi!
A four-point (1G, 3A) performance against his former team! pic.twitter.com/5ddm3ZVAXt
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
Nikolaj Ehlers and Mark Scheifele also stood out in the game, collecting four and three points respectively.
Extension
– Mikko Rantanen continues his demolition job.
The patience here from Mikko Rantanen is phenomenal.
: @NHL_On_TNT & @SportsonMax
https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO
: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
– A beautiful moment.
It's the first NHL goal for Sam Malinski!
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
– Boom.
A rocket from Mathew Barzal to tie the game!
pic.twitter.com/4LoKIt8R3S
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
– Beautiful piece of play.
A textbook give-and-go!
pic.twitter.com/TaT5Elu4c4
– NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2023
– Three Jets players dominate last night's high-scoring column.
– Eight games tonight in the NHL.
