It was another busy night of NHL action on Monday evening, with results affecting the top and bottoms of both the conferences. However, which sides were able to leave their mark on the high-quality night of action?
Canucks Secure Big Win
The Vancouver Canucks have been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the NHL this season, and their pedigree was clear for all to see again on Monday night as they ran over the Nashville Predators. The Canucks went into the game after losing four on the bounce. However, this was a welcome return to form as Vancouver claimed a 6-2 win over the Predators.
The Canucks scored three times in the opening period, before adding two more in the second. The Predators got themselves back into the game in the second period as they scored twice, but the Canucks secured the win in the final period by scoring one more goal. Jordie Benn, Zack MacEwen, Brandon Sutter and T. J. Miller were among the scorers for the Canucks. They can get another win under their belts when they face the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday evening.
Coyotes End Their Barren Run
The Arizona Coyotes also brought an end to their barren run of form as they got back to winning ways by beating the Montreal Canadiens. Over the previous week, the Coyotes had been beaten by the Hurricanes and Bruins, but they ended that run with the win on Monday night. That success comes in the knick of time, as the Coyotes face the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators before the end of the week.
Arizona had to wait for their chances as they fell behind in the first period as the Canadiens led 2-1. However, the Coyotes were rewarded for their efforts, as they looked dangerous in every period. They managed to avoid the Canadiens attacking line in the second and third periods, and scored twice themselves during the same periods. Derek Stepan, Jakob Chychrun and Taylor Hall scored for the Coyotes in the much-needed win.
Lightning Continue Excellent NHL Run
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the most in-form sides in the NHL over recent weeks, and they continued their winning run to seven on Monday night with another win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Lightning needed overtime to get the win, but they are certainly catching up to the Boston Bruins at the summit of the Atlantic Division.
Their 2-1 win after overtime means that the Lightning have now won eight out of a possible ten games in the NHL. Both of the goals for the travelling side in Columbus were scored by Nikita Kucherov. Brayden Point ended the game with two assists. The Blue Jackets fought back from a goal down to force overtime, but the Lightning were the stronger in the extra period. They can make it eight wins in a row when they face the Pittsburgh Penguins in their next game in the NHL on Wednesday.
