Last night was a rare Thursday night when the Habs weren't playing.
However, there were a lot of games underway.
Here are the results and highlights:
On Thursday I saw @NHLFlames And @NYIslanders catch the two longest active hitting streaks in the league this season.#NHL statistics: https://t.co/X6JJO0GQlA pic.twitter.com/EONPLYQ0SY
– NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 5, 2025
1. Patrick Roy deals the Avalanche their second loss of the regular season.
Prior to yesterday's games, the Avalanche had lost just one game in regulation time since the start of the season.
That loss came on October 25 against the Bruins. Yesterday (December 4), Colorado finally lost their second game in 60 minutes. The Islanders won 6–3.
For the first time since… October 25 https://t.co/yHpQwPNIge
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 5, 2025
Brock Nelson, traded to the Avalanche last year, returned to New York for the first time since the trade.
Of course, he received a standing ovation.
Brock Nelson gets a zero grade upon returning to the Island
pic.twitter.com/gbZ5Xre7xd
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 5, 2025
At one point in the game, New York led 4-0, but Colorado didn't give up, scoring two quick goals.
Nelson even provided an assist on one of the goals.
Down 4-0, the Avs quickly cut their lead in half.
pic.twitter.com/VJZGItWold
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 5, 2025
However, the Islanders held on.
Matthew Schaefer also earned an assist, becoming the fifth youngest player in history to reach the 20-point mark in a career.
Matthew Schaefer chose one of five @NYIslanders scored to date and became the fifth youngest player in league history to score 20 career points and the youngest since Brian Bellows on November 26, 1982. #NHLStatistics
Tune in
: https://t.co/dT3 4F4mhkc pic.twitter.com/GbuK24C4hV
– NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 5, 2025
Another Matthew made a name for himself, this Barzal.
For a moment he thought he was Nathan MacKinnon.
An absolute beauty from Barzal
pic.twitter.com/evvs0TbFI5
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) December 5, 2025
Ironically, it was Patrick Roy's team that beat Colorado in 60 minutes.
It was Roy's 200th NHL win, and he didn't even know it.
Patrick Roy says he didn't know he won his 200th NHL game as a head coach until Anders Lee gave him a game puck
“The focus was on playing against the best team in the NHL. As I told them before the game, I think if there was a team that could surprise them, it would be us.” pic.twitter.com/jVD2pehRwM
– Islanders Video (@SNY_Islanders) December 5, 2025
2. Steven Stamkos scores the winning goal in a bizarre way.
The Preds were in Florida yesterday to take on the Panthers.
In the end, the visitors won in overtime thanks to a rather bizarre goal.
Steven Stamkos scored as the goal was down.
Stamkos scores one of the weirdest overtime winners you'll ever see. pic.twitter.com/Lk0jrP4lxa
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) December 5, 2025
Florida was not happy, but the goal was counted.
The two-time defending champions are still in the doldrums in the Atlantic Division.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 27 of 29 shots in defeat. Here he denied Filip Forsberg a goal in Michigan.
Sergei Bobrovsky denies Filip Forsberg and Michigan goal
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 5, 2025
At some point, a defender helped him.
MIKKOOOOLA WITH A STOP ON THE GOAL LINE pic.twitter.com/nrqJ9mVHZR
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) December 5, 2025
3. Maple Leafs score on first shot for fourth straight game.
Here's an amazing statistic.
The Maple Leafs have a knack for starting games strong. Last night, for the fourth game in a row, they scored on their first shot.
Maple Leafs score on first shot… for fourth straight game
pic.twitter.com/Jd1xxJ2LHY
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 5, 2025
The Habs' next opponents crushed the Hurricanes 5-1.
Their winning streak now stands at three matches.
Bobby McMann scores for the Toronto Maple Leafs to claim their third win in a row! pic.twitter.com/sNzv1b05MN
– TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 5, 2025
However, Toronto lost their number one goalie in this win.
Joseph Wall suffered a lower body injury and did not return to the game. I wonder if he'll be back in the lineup on Saturday against Montreal.
Joseph Wall left the game before the start of Game 3 against the Canes with a “lower body injury,” according to the team. pic.twitter.com/3MhocPtjjN
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 5, 2025
In victory Matthew Nice, who seeks revenge on the Hubswas good, scored a goal and made an assist.
His goal was to create beauty.
Matty Nice uses his body and finishes with a backhand.
pic.twitter.com/kEkovgkWTl
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 5, 2025
4. Nine Oilers goals and Connor McDavid's hat trick.
Late in the evening, the Oilers and the Kraken met.
The Oilers won the match easily, scoring nine goals. However, fans wanted 10…
Oilers fans chant “WE WANT 10” at Rogers Place
– Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 5, 2025
Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick.
He really made Joey Daccord look bad here.
Connor McDavid makes Joey Daccord look really bad
pic.twitter.com/OAfrQarGPy
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 5, 2025
Leon Draisaitl also had a strong game in a 9-4 win.
He scored four points. The two-headed monster scored eight points.
Connor McDavid (3-1-4) and Leon Draisaitl (1-3-4) assisted @EdmontonOilers score nine goals in a game for the second time in 14 years (also 15 April 2024).#NHL statistics: https://t.co/X6JJO0GQlA pic.twitter.com/4j0N3ifFlx
– NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 5, 2025
5. Lightning comes from behind, but still loses
The Penguins were in Tampa Bay last night and got off to a good start.
They even led the Lightning 3-0. Evgeni Malkin thought he was the same Evgeni Malkin he was a few years ago.
VINTAGE GENO MALKIN
pic.twitter.com/YZlzMGKan0
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 5, 2025
Tampa Bay finally got its act together while down 0-3.
Brandon Hagel's two goals in the game tied the game.
The Penguins were 3-0, now 3-3.
pic.twitter.com/QU5k5B4IPI
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 5, 2025
Unfortunately, all these efforts were in vain.
Malkin scored the winning goal again.
WE HAVE VINTAGE MALKIN TONIGHT ON HATTY WATCH
pic.twitter.com/dETUE9XFAV
– Spittin' Chiclets (@spittin'chiclets) December 5, 2025
Tampa thought they had tied the game again moments later, but the goal was disallowed due to a handball.
Funny sequence…
NO. TARGET.
The game was called off due to a missed pass stop. https://t.co/hA8UK1RZH9 pic.twitter.com/yYn4OiinQb
– B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 5, 2025
After the match, John Cooper seemed to disagree with this decision.
John Cooper's reaction to a review that had potential #TBLightning scored off the board in the final minute of today's game against Pittsburgh.
https://t.co/CrqnnOXlO1
– Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 5, 2025
Extension
– The first one is from Ville Koivunen.
“THIS IS VILL!”
Ville Koivunen scores his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/mkybiqpaO9
– NHL (@NHL) December 5, 2025
– Nice set.
Viktor Arvidsson earned his 400th NHL point by a landslide!
pic.twitter.com/AoVj7k1c7c
– NHL (@NHL) December 5, 2025
– 900 points to Artemy Panarin.
Artemiy Panarin bet on two out of four @New York Rangers goals and 900 career points! #NHLStatistics: https://t.co/X6JJO0GQlA pic.twitter.com/UTtYIT8o1y
– NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) December 5, 2025
– Edmonton’s two-headed monster leads the charge.
– There are five games on the schedule today.
