![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Fowler-220x300.jpg\")
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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler (NHL Images).<\/p>\n
SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Canadiens defenseman Mike Matheson returned to action<\/a> after missing two games with an injury. Jayden Struble was a healthy scratch to make way for Matheson. The Canadiens placed defenseman Kaiden Guhle and center Kirby Dach on long-term injury reserve<\/a> to free up salary-cap space for recently acquired center Phillip Danault, who will join the team for Tuesday\u2019s game in Boston against the Bruins. Canadiens center Jake Evans won\u2019t be traveling with the team<\/a> on their road trip after leaving Saturday\u2019s game in the first period with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n The New York Rangers overcame a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 on shootout goals by Artemi Panarin and Vincent Trocheck. Panarin tallied twice in regulation, and Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist for the 18-15-4 Rangers. Rookie Denver Barkey collected two assists for their first two NHL points for the Flyers (17-10-7).<\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: It was a costly victory for the Rangers as team captain J.T. Miller left the game in the third period with an upper-body injury<\/a> following a hit from Flyers defenseman Nick Seeler. Flyers goaltender Dan Vladar and center Christian Dvorak missed this contest with injuries and are listed as day-to-day. <\/a><\/p>\n Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel scored two third-period goals as his club overcame 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-4. Ryan McDonagh had a goal and an assist as the Lightning (19-13-3) snapped a three-game losing skid. Hurricanes rookie Bradly Nadeau scored his second career NHL goal for the Hurricanes (22-10-3), who blew a three-goal lead for the second straight game. They remain in first place in the Eastern Conference with 47 points. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Nadeau was called up as Hurricanes winger Seth Jarvis was placed on injured reserve<\/a> and will miss at least a week. Meanwhile, Lightning winger Brandon Hagel (upper body) was placed on IR. <\/a><\/p>\n The Detroit Red Wings defeated the Washington Capitals 5-2. Moritz Seider had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings, who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 20-13-3 (43 points). Aliaksei Protas and Martin Fehervary replied for the Capitals (19-12-4), who\u2019ve lost four of their last five contests. <\/p>\n Ottawa Senators center Tim Stutzle scored a shorthanded goal and picked up two assists in a 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Brady Tkachuk and David Perron each scored twice as the Senators have won three straight and improved to 17-13-4. Ilya Mikheyev tallied two goals for the Blackhawks (13-16-6), who dropped their fourth straight game and slipped into last place in the Western Conference. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: The news got worse for the Blackhawks as center Frank Nazar left the game in the first period after taking a puck to the face. After the game, head coach Jeff Blashill said Nazar will be sidelined for four weeks,<\/a> joining superstar Connor Bedard on the sidelines. <\/p>\n Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot returned to the lineup<\/a> after missing 15 games with an oblique muscle injury. However, they lost blueliner Tyler Kleven day-to-day with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy scored twice as the Minnesota Wild won their seventh straight game by downing the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 5-2. Mats Zuccarello and Vladimir Tarasenko each had two points for the surging Wild (22-9-5). Leon Draisaitl had two assists for the Oilers (17-13-6). <\/p>\n A shootout goal by Josh Norris lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. Tage Thompson scored to extend his goal streak to six games as the Sabres collected their fifth straight victory and improved to 16-14-4. Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (19-13-4), who\u2019ve dropped three straight games. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Sabres announced they\u2019ve parted company<\/a> with assistant general manager Jason Karmanos. They also recalled<\/a> forward Isak Rosen from their AHL affiliate in Rochester. <\/p>\n St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas scored twice and set up another goal in a 6-2 victory over the Florida Panthers, snapping the latter\u2019s win streak at four games. Jake Neighbours tallied two goals, and Jonatan Berggren had a goal and two assists for the Blues (14-15-8). A.J. Greer and Sam Reinhart replied for the 19-14-2 Panthers. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich missed this game<\/a> as he\u2019s day-to-day with a lower-body injury. <\/p>\n The Vancouver Canucks got a shootout goal from Liam Ohgren to upset the Boston Bruins 5-4. Linus Karlsson led the way for the Canucks with two goals and an assist as they picked up their fourth straight win and improved to 15-17-3. Morgan Geekie scored his 25th goal of the season and picked up an assist for the 20-15-1 Bruins. <\/p>\n Nashville Predators winger Luke Evangelista snapped a 3-3 tie as his club defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3, handing the latter their fourth loss in their last five games. Steven Stamkos had a goal and an assist for the 14-16-4 Predators. Bobby McMann and Nick Robertson each picked up two points for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 15-14-5. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was a healthy scratch<\/a> for this game. He\u2019s mired in a 22-game goal drought and has a team-worst plus\/minus of minus-13. <\/p>\n The Calgary Flames upset the Vegas Golden Knights 6-3. Mikael Backlund scored twice and had an assist while MacKenzie Weegar and Connor Zary each collected three assists for the 15-17-4 Flames. Mark Stone had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights (16-7-10). <\/p>\n Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov scored the tie-breaking goal with 3:29 remaining in the third period to lift his club to a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mikael Granlund had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who hold first place in the Pacific Division with a record of 21-13-2. Zach Werenski had two points, and Mason Marchment scored in his first game with the Blue Jackets, who dropped to 14-15-6. <\/p>\n SPECTOR\u2019S NOTE: Werenski left the game with a leg injury<\/a> late in the game. There was no postgame update on his status. Earlier in the day, the NHL\u2019s department of player safety fined Ducks forward Frank Vatrano $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct<\/a> against the Dallas Stars on Friday. <\/p>\n Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord stopped 35 shots as his club doubled up the San Jose Sharks 4-2. Chandler Stephenson scored to extend his goal streak to four games and his points streak to eight as the Kraken (13-14-6) snapped a four-game losing skid. Adam Gaudette and Collin Graf scored for the Sharks (17-16-3) as they\u2019ve dropped two straight. <\/p>\n