NHL Roundup: Avalanche Top Western Conference, Gibson Reunites with Ducks
The NHL featured three games on Friday without any shutouts or overtime periods. Anaheim fans witnessed a reunion with their former long-time goalie.
Avalanche Secure Top Spot
Colorado's Martin Necas made a strong impression in his first game following an eight-year contract extension signed Thursday. He scored a goal and provided two assists.
- Necas opened the scoring 41 seconds into the game.
- Teammate Brock Nelson increased the lead to 2-0 in the second period.
- The Vegas Golden Knights responded with a power-play goal from Tomas Hertl.
- Brent Burns scored his first goal of the season with an assist from Necas, extending the Avalanche lead to 3-1.
- Vegas' Mitch Marner quickly cut the lead to 3-2 in the third period.
- Necas assisted again when Cale Makar scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory.
With this win, Colorado improved to a 7-1-4 record (18 points), placing them atop the Western Conference. Vegas dropped to 6-2-3 (15 points).
Islanders Beat Capitals After Early Deficit
The Capitals started with a goal by Tom Wilson, but New York scored three consecutive goals to turn the match around.
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored a short-handed goal before the first period ended.
- Bo Horvat doubled the lead to 2-1 for the Islanders.
- Matthew Barzal, recently benched by coach Patrick Roy due to "personal reasons," scored an empty-netter sealing the win.
"Matthew Barzal, who was benched recently by head coach Patrick Roy for 'personal reasons,' scored the empty-netter to gift the Caps their third loss in the past five games."
New York’s victory marked another setback for Washington, their third loss in the last five games.