In a decisive victory, the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1, breaking a five-game losing streak. Adam Henrique kicked things off with a short-handed goal, followed by Corey Perry's strike from Leon Draisaitl's setup. Connor McDavid sealed the deal with an empty-netter. Calvin Pickard stood tall, stopping 35 shots, while Frederik Andersen made 28 saves for the Hurricanes, who struggled to capitalize on three power-play opportunities and are now 3 for 25 in their last ten games.

This win marked a significant moment for the Oilers, ending their road losing streak and providing crucial momentum as they look ahead to their next game against Anaheim. Sebastian Aho managed to score for Carolina, but the team's recent slump continues as they have lost six of their last eight games. Draisaitl’s points streak reached 11 games, showcasing his importance to the team's offense despite his goal streak ending.

Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, Brandon Hagel of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers have been recognized as the NHL’s top players for February. MacKinnon contributed 12 points in eight games, including four goals and eight assists, helping the Avalanche secure a tie for third in the Central Division.

Hagel led the league with 13 points, scoring seven goals and six assists, driving the Lightning to a remarkable 7-0-1 record. Draisaitl was dominant with eight goals and four assists in eight games, extending his point streak to ten games and matching his previous goal streak. Each player's performance has been critical to their teams' successes this month.

The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their impressive form with a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, marking their sixth win in a row. Nikita Kucherov played a pivotal role with two assists, while goals came from Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, Mikey Eyssimont, and Victor Hedman. The Lightning are now 7-0-1 in their last eight games. The Oilers, despite Leon Draisaitl's NHL-leading 43rd goal, suffered their fourth consecutive loss, showcasing defensive struggles as they have been outscored 17-7 in their last three outings.

A critical moment of the match was Hagel's backhanded wraparound goal that gave Tampa a 2-1 lead early in the second period. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 23 saves, ensuring his team held strong defensively. As the Lightning look ahead to facing the Calgary Flames, they will aim to maintain their dominance at home, where they boast a 9-1-1 record since January 1.

The trade rumors surrounding Mikko Rantanen have reignited as the March 7 NHL trade deadline approaches. Following his recent acquisition by the Carolina Hurricanes from the Colorado Avalanche in a major three-team trade, there's speculation that he could be on the move again if contract talks don’t progress. Rantanen is currently in the final year of a six-year deal worth an average of $9.25 million, and if he refuses Carolina's extension offers, he may be traded to avoid losing him to free agency.

Hurricanes management reportedly offered Rantanen an extension exceeding $100 million, which has raised eyebrows around the league. If Carolina retains part of his salary cap hit, interest from playoff contenders could become more pronounced, though teams like Winnipeg, Florida, and Toronto might not find the cost manageable. While the ongoing talks seem to have stalled, the upcoming trade deadline could see a flurry of movement involving Rantanen and possibly other key players.