Jack McBain of the Utah Hockey Club has been fined $4,166.67 for a high-sticking incident involving Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher. The NHL announced the fine, which is the maximum permitted under the collective bargaining agreement. The foul occurred just 16 seconds into the second period during a game where the Canadiens triumphed over Utah with a score of 5-3.

The fined amount will be directed towards the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The Canadiens are currently enjoying a strong run, having posted a record of 10 wins, 2 losses, and 1 overtime loss in their last 13 games. This positions them just two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, with a game in hand.

This coming Thursday, Montreal (21-18-4) will face the Dallas Stars (28-14-1) as they continue their pursuit of a playoff position.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was pivotal for the Edmonton Oilers, scoring the decisive goal early in the second period during their 4-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Connor McDavid and Connor Brown contributed significantly with two assists each, aiding the Oilers in extending their impressive record of winning eight out of their last eleven games and twelve out of their last sixteen. In goal, Stuart Skinner showcased his skills by making 26 saves, ensuring the Oilers maintained control throughout the match.

On the other side, Jack McBain managed to score for Utah, but the team is now facing a tough stretch with five consecutive losses. Their leading scorer, Clayton Keller, was notably absent as a late scratch. Rookie goalie Jaxson Stauber made a commendable 34 saves in defeat. Despite the loss, Logan Cooley managed to assist on a goal, marking his points in eight of the last nine games and extending his road point streak to eleven games, the longest currently in the NHL.

For the Oilers, McDavid's two assists allowed him to extend his points streak to twelve games, accumulating 23 points during this stretch. This marks the fourteenth time McDavid has had a streak of eleven games or more, with his personal best being seventeen games in 2022. The Oilers took a commanding 3-1 lead with two goals scored just twenty seconds apart early in the second period, showcasing their offensive prowess.

Looking ahead, Utah will face the Calgary Flames on Thursday night, while the Oilers will host the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night, both teams eager to solidify their standings as the season progresses.

In a decisive 4-1 victory, the Edmonton Oilers halted their two-game losing streak against the Utah Hockey Club. Key contributions came from Connor McDavid and Connor Brown, who both registered two assists. The Oilers' scoring was bolstered by Mattias Ekholm, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Troy Stecher, and Leon Draisaitl, marking a significant win as they have now triumphed in eight of their last eleven games.

Despite the loss, Utah's Jack McBain managed to score, although the team has now entered a five-game losing streak. Notably, leading scorer Clayton Keller was absent from the game. Goalie Stuart Skinner was effective for Edmonton, making 26 saves, while Utah's Jaxson Stauber, in only his tenth NHL appearance, recorded 34 saves in a challenging outing.

Among the highlights, Logan Cooley of Utah continued to impress by extending his point streak to eight out of the last nine games. For the Oilers, McDavid's two assists extended his points streak to twelve games, accumulating 23 points during this span. This achievement places him third in all-time scoring for the Oilers, surpassing Mark Messier. Draisaitl also matched McDavid's scoring streak, further solidifying the Oilers' offensive prowess.

The game showcased pivotal moments, particularly in the second period when Edmonton scored two goals within a mere 20 seconds. With this victory, the Oilers look to maintain their momentum as they prepare to face the Anaheim Ducks next, while Utah aims to recover against the Calgary Flames.

In a thrilling return to the ice, Alex Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal, leading the Washington Capitals to a decisive 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. With this goal, Ovechkin notched his 869th career goal, bringing him closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time record of 894 goals. This season has seen Ovechkin score 16 goals in just 19 games, showcasing his remarkable talent even after a significant injury.

Ovechkin's return was particularly poignant, as he had been sidelined since November 18 due to a fractured fibula sustained during a collision with Jack McBain. The 39-year-old veteran expressed mixed emotions about his comeback, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to the game's pace after missing time. Despite the hurdles, he remained optimistic and focused on contributing to his team's success.

During Ovechkin's absence, the Capitals managed a respectable 10-5-1 record, but Coach Spencer Carbery anticipates a substantial boost to the team's morale and performance with Ovechkin back in the lineup. The Capitals are currently vying for a top position in the Eastern Conference, and Ovechkin's leadership is seen as crucial in their playoff aspirations. In addition to Ovechkin's goal, the Capitals received contributions from Andrew Mangiapane, Jakob Chychrun, Nic Dowd, and Tom Wilson, while the Maple Leafs saw goals from John Tavares and Bobby McMann.

As the Capitals prepare for their next matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, Ovechkin's presence is expected to be a game-changer, both on the ice and in the locker room.

Alex Ovechkin is set to make his return to the Washington Capitals' lineup after an extended absence due to a broken fibula. Missing 16 games since his injury on November 18, Ovechkin's comeback comes at a critical time as he aims to close the gap on the NHL's all-time goal record. Prior to his injury, he was leading the league with 15 goals and was on a scoring spree, netting five goals in just two games.

As of his return, Ovechkin has accumulated 868 career goals, placing him 26 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky's record of 894. His absence marked the longest of his illustrious career since he entered the league in 2005, with the Capitals managing a respectable 10-5-1 record in his absence. The team is currently positioned second in the Eastern Conference, trailing the New Jersey Devils by three points but holding four games in hand.

Ovechkin's return is not just about personal milestones; it also reignites the race for Gretzky's record. With 48 games left in the regular season, if Ovechkin can replicate his early-season scoring pace, he could potentially break the record before the Stanley Cup Playoffs. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has indicated he will closely follow Ovechkin's pursuit as he approaches the historic mark, which has been a topic of excitement among fans and players alike.