Top-5: Alex Ovechkin ends 14-game scoreless streak

There was no shortage of action yesterday in the NHL, as 24 teams were in action.

Here are the results and highlights:

It was goals galore tonight as the @BuffaloSabres became the fourth team to score at least nine times in a game this season while Nathan MacKinnon became the first player in @Avalanche team history to post a four-goal outing.#NHLStats: https://t.co/mWXQKIDH5k pic.twitter.com/8tlhFH0Le7

– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 22, 2023

1. Alexander Ovechkin puts an end to his bad streak

Alexander Ovechkin is clearly not at his best right now.

Prior to last night’s games, he hadn’t found the back of the net in his last 14 games.

But that bad streak is a thing of the past, because it was he who gave his team victory in overtime.

What a way to end the drought!

Alex Ovechkin snaps his scoreless streak with the @SUBWAYCanada OT winner! pic.twitter.com/tG4HDwjMck

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

The two teams battled it out.

In overtime, Elvis Merzlikins and Tom Wilson battled it out.

Elvis Merzlikins and Tom Wilson go at it pic.twitter.com/AKfnq1aHJb

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

Obviously, Washington had the last word.

File this under “Hockey Images That Go Hard”

: @Capitals pic.twitter.com/zSqWFxcNwo

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

2. Four-goal night for Nathan MacKinnon

The Senators are in a slump. And the coaching change hasn’t changed anything so far. The team has lost its last six games.

Jacques Martin lost his first two games in his second stint at the helm. Yesterday, he lost to the Avalanche by a score of 6-4.

He and his crew were dominated by Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon increased his streak of games with at least one point to 17. He also scored four goals.

Nathan MacKinnon nets career goals No. 299, 300, and 301 for his fifth career hat trick!

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/1VOIDtmJxm

– NHL (@NHL) December 22, 2023

He finished his night’s work with five points, no less.

Ottawa led 4-2, but Colorado scored four unanswered goals.

MacKinnon’s second goal of the game was the 300th of his career.

Nathan MacKinnon, the game may have slowed down for you, but please give us a moment to keep up. pic.twitter.com/q6tAb3iaD0

– DNVR Avalanche (@DNVR_Avalanche) December 22, 2023

On the losing side, Josh Norris scored in his fourth straight game.

Josh extends his goal streak to four games!!! #GoSensGo pic.twitter.com/spch1NA0iV

– Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 22, 2023

3. Nine goals for the Sabres

On Tuesday night, the Sabres were badly outplayed by the Blue Jackets, 9-4.

Last night, the Sabres decided it was their turn to win by scoring nine goals. Final score: 9-3, against the Leafs.

Two nights after the Sabres allowed the Blue Jackets to score 9 goals on them, they’ve scored 9 of their own. pic.twitter.com/CWxljNAaUb

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

Ilya Samsonov had a difficult outing.

He was kicked out of the game after this goal by Tage Thompson :

Tage Thompson ends Ilya Samsonov’s night pic.twitter.com/N458TavkIB

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

Auston Matthews, meanwhile, scored his 26th goal of the season and still leads the NHL in scoring.

That’s the 26th goal of the season for the League leader, Auston Matthews(@AM34)! #NHLStats: https://t.co/yKZvCsiDYs pic.twitter.com/8uBjRluru5

– NHL (@NHL) December 22, 2023

Meanwhile, Max Domi gets insulted for his lack of teeth.

“You have no fucking teeth!”

Skinner chirping Domi’s chiclets ” pic.twitter.com/rOT4NsVsVq

– Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 22, 2023

At least he scored his first “overseas” goal in a Toronto uniform.

First road goal as a Leaf for Max Domi pic.twitter.com/jiFpROotrF

– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 22, 2023

4. 200th win for Jacob Markstrom

Jacob Markstrom missed a few games recently due to injury.

Now he’s back and in top form.

Yesterday, thanks to a 25-save performance, he blanked the Anaheim Ducks.

It was also his 200th NHL victory.

Jacob Markstrom picks up his 200th career win with a @pepsi shutout against the Ducks! pic.twitter.com/BFARRzmPNC

– NHL (@NHL) December 22, 2023

In his 17th NHL game, young teammate Nick DeSimone opened the scoring.

The winning goal was his first career net.

That’s the first NHL goal for Nick DeSimone!

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/mWb7igkROx

– NHL (@NHL) December 22, 2023

5. Juuse Saros: franchise’s second-winningest goaltender

The Nashville Predators are a relatively young franchise.

So it’s only natural that the franchise’s goaltenders don’t have the most wins. Especially when a goalie like Pekka Rinne has been playing for so long.

Despite his young age, Juuse Saros became the second-winningest goalie yesterday in a 4-2 win over Philadelphia.

SECOND ALL TIME pic.twitter.com/UPdhsXp44R

– Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) December 22, 2023

With the 162nd career win, he surpassed Tomas Vokoun.

The Finn made 29 saves on 31 shots.

Among the forwards, Filip Forsberg, Philip Tomasimo and Colton Sissons all stood out, collecting two points each.