* The Oilers earned a third-period comeback win on consecutive days for the third time in franchise history and became just the sixth team in the past 35 years to score four-plus goals in the final frame on two straight days.
* Two other Canadian clubs collected victories Friday as well as Detroit after surrendering a four-goal lead to Philadelphia.
* The NHL heads into its holiday break with a 14-game slate Saturday, which includes four Hockey Night in Canada contests and a rematch of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Sportsnet.
FOUR TEAMS SKATE INTO THE WIN COLUMN FRIDAY
The Jets (20-9-3, 43 points), Red Wings (16-13-4, 36 points), Canadiens (15-13-5, 35 points) and Oilers (15-15-1, 31 points) all skated into the win column Friday in the second-last day before a three-day holiday break, with three of those victories coming in come-from-behind fashion. For notes from all teams, visit #NHLStats: Live Updates.
* Gabriel Vilardi scored the game-winning goal and collected an assist as Winnipeg moved into first place in the Central Division and extended its point streak to five contests (4-0-1 dating to Dec. 13). Vilardi (6-6—12 in 5 GP) became the first Jets player with 12 points over a five-game span since Kyle Connor from March 13-22, 2022 (3-10—13 in 5 GP).
* The Flyers scored five consecutive goals to erase a 5-1 deficit, but Dylan Larkin (1-1—2) pulled the Red Wings even with 4:30 remaining in regulation and Patrick Kane (2-1—3) potted the shootout winner as Detroit quelled Philadelphia’s comeback attempt. The Red Wings earned a victory after surrendering a four-goal lead for the third time in franchise history (also March 30, 2010 & March 10, 1968).
* Montreal skated to its fourth multi-goal comeback win of the season, thanks to Juraj Slafkovsky (1-1—2) who scored the first game-winning goal of his NHL career and helped the Canadiens extend their point streak to five contests (3-0-2 dating to Dec. 13). Montreal is now within three points of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
* After entering the final frame down 1-0, Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, Warren Foegele and Ryan McLeod scored four straight goals for the Oilers to help Edmonton head into its holiday break after posting third-period comeback wins on consecutive days. It marked the third time in franchise history the club has done so after April 28-29, 2022 and Jan. 12-13, 1991.
NHL PODCASTS WEEKLY ROUNDUP
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (12/18): Fantasy waiver wire pickups: Week 11
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (12/18): Blues coaching change; Oettinger injury
* NHL Draft Class (12/19): Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff; World Junior Championship preview
* NHL @TheRink (12/20): Dave Hakstol joins; Scrappy Flyers & Capitals, Trotz’s plan in Nashville
* La Tasse de Café LNH (12/20): Aperçu du Championnat mondial junior 2024
* The Chirp (12/21):Zach Whitecloud joins; Winter Classic, ODR stories, Mallard’s NHL assessment
* NHL Fantasy on Ice (12/21): Senators’ coaching change & Week 11 fantasy mailbag
QUICK CLICKS
* Fantasy spin: NHL EDGE stats this week
* Ben Hutton signs two-year, $1.95 million contract with Golden Knights
* Samuel Girard cleared by NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program to resume practicing
* NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman affirms six-game suspension assessed to David Perron
* Registration now open for EA SPORTS NHL 24 World Championship
HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HEADLINES 14-GAME SATURDAY
The NHL will head into a three-day holiday break with a 14-game slate on Saturday headlined by a four-pack of contests on Hockey Night in Canada featuring a plethora of stars such as Anze Kopitar, Sidney Crosby, Quinn Hughes and Auston Matthews.
* Kopitar can continue his point-per-game pace this season when the Kings host Yegor Sharangovich and the Flames, who can extend their winning streak to four games. Sharangovich has scored six goals in seven contests since Dec. 9, which trail only Matthews, Gabriel Vilardi and Nathan MacKinnon for the most in the NHL over that span.
* Crosby and the Penguins will aim for a third straight win when they visit their former assistant coach Jacques Martin, who is searching for his first victory since being named the Senators’ interim bench boss. Crosby has collected 4-2—6 over his last four games and needs three points to tie Joe Thornton for 12th place on the NHL’s all-time list.
* Hughes can add to his League-leading point total among defensemen when the Canucks host Mikael Granlund and the Sharks. Hughes’ 42 points would be the most by any Vancouver blueliner through 35 games in a season and the third highest among active defensemen, behind Erik Karlsson with San Jose in 2022-23 (13-33—46 in 35 GP) and John Carlson with Washington in 2019-20 (12-33—45 in 35 GP).
* Matthews and the Maple Leafs will look to rebound from a 9-3 loss Thursday when they visit Zach Werenski and the Blue Jackets. Matthews has tallied at least once in his each of his last six appearances to boost his League-leading goal total to 26. Werenski will close out the final game before the holiday break by hosting the Community Shelter Board in “Z’s Suite” – the suite he’s purchased at Nationwide Arena to welcome special groups. Werenski has found a way to share his love for Christmas by supporting the Salvation Army Toy Drive and Christmas Cheer program, which collects thousands of toys to distribute to families in need.
SATURDAY FEATURES 10 OTHER GAMES INCLUDING FINAL REMATCH ON SPORTSNET
A total of 20 other teams are in action before the holiday break, including the Golden Knights and Panthers meeting for the first time since Game 5 of the 2023 Stanley Cup Final on Sportsnet. Jack Eichel, who had 0-8—8 in five contests versus Florida during the championship series, can extend his franchise-record point streak to 13 games.
