LOS ANGELES — Gabriel Vilardi had a night to remember against his former team, recording an NHL career-high four points to propel the Winnipeg Jets to a 5-2 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday.

Vilardi, playing his first game in Los Angeles since being traded from the Kings to the Jets, scored a goal and provided three assists. His outstanding performance didn’t go unnoticed, as teammate Mark Scheifele lauded his playmaking and energy on the ice.

The Jets (17-9-2) responded strongly after their four-game winning streak was snapped by the San Jose Sharks. Coach Rick Bowness praised his team, especially the line of Vilardi, Nikolaj Ehlers, and Scheifele, for making a significant impact. Ehlers himself had a standout game with two goals and two assists, while Scheifele contributed two goals and an assist.

Connor Hellebuyck was solid in goal for Winnipeg, making 32 saves for his fourth consecutive win. The Jets showed resilience and team spirit, bouncing back from their recent loss to secure a convincing win.

The Kings (16-6-4), who have now lost three straight games, started strong with Anze Kopitar and Alex Laferriere scoring to give Los Angeles an early lead. However, Winnipeg’s comeback highlighted the Kings’ current struggles, with coach Todd McLellan acknowledging the need for the team to respond to this rough patch.

Ehlers initiated the Jets’ comeback in the second period with a wrist shot from the high slot. He later equalized with a breakaway goal, showcasing his speed and scoring prowess. Scheifele then gave Winnipeg the lead, demonstrating his skill with a backhand goal from behind the net.

Vilardi’s goal in the third period extended the Jets’ lead, showing his ability to make crucial plays in key moments. His performance was particularly poignant, considering his mixed emotions about returning to Los Angeles, where he started his NHL career.

Scheifele’s empty-net goal sealed the 5-2 final score, capping off a night where Winnipeg’s top line shined brightly. McLellan conceded that the Kings couldn’t find an answer to the Jets’ top trio, acknowledging their outstanding play.

Ehlers tied his career-high with four points, a testament to his offensive capabilities. The chemistry and effectiveness of Scheifele, Vilardi, and Ehlers were crucial to Winnipeg’s success, as they each finished the game with a plus-5 rating.

For the Kings, Arthur Kaliyev was absent due to flu-like symptoms, and Trevor Moore led the team with eight shots on goal. Despite the loss, McLellan remained optimistic, highlighting the importance of dirty goals and the hard work put in by players like Laferriere.

The Jets’ victory in Los Angeles is a significant morale booster, showcasing their depth and ability to bounce back. The Kings, facing a challenging period, will look to regroup and rediscover their early-season form.

DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon’s impressive form continued as he extended his point streak to 13 games, contributing two assists in the Colorado Avalanche’s commanding 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Ball Arena on Wednesday.

MacKinnon, who now has 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) during his streak, also extended his season-opening home point streak to 15 games, marking his consistent impact for the Avalanche. Colorado coach Jared Bednar praised MacKinnon’s perseverance through his early-season slump and credited his and his line’s work ethic for their current success.

Valeri Nichushkin was another standout for the Avalanche, scoring twice, while Mikko Rantanen added a goal and two assists. Sam Malinski made his mark with his first NHL goal and an assist. Ivan Prosvetov, stepping in for the Avalanche, made 29 saves, contributing to the team’s second straight win.

The Avalanche (18-9-2) demonstrated their maturity and control throughout the game, with Bednar highlighting their perfect start and strong finish.

On the other hand, the Sabres (12-15-3) struggled to keep pace, despite Zach Benson’s goal and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s 24 saves. Buffalo’s coach Don Granato expressed frustration with the team’s sluggish start and inability to execute simple plays.

Rantanen opened the scoring for Colorado in the first period with a wraparound goal, capitalizing on a drop pass from MacKinnon. Nichushkin then doubled the lead, scoring from a loose puck near the goal. His aggressive play in the first period was noted by Bednar, who felt Nichushkin could have had even more goals.

Miles Wood extended Colorado’s lead with a well-placed shot on a 2-on-1 rush. Buffalo’s response came late in the period through Benson, who capitalized on a rebound in front of the net.

The Sabres faced a tough start, with Colorado outshooting them 15-0 before Benson’s goal. Sabres defenseman Erik Johnson acknowledged the team’s flat start and the difficulty of recovering against a strong opponent like Colorado.

Malinski’s goal in the third period further cemented the Avalanche’s lead, with the rookie defenseman describing his thought process on the one-timer. Nichushkin’s second goal of the night, and his 100th NHL goal, came from a backdoor pass by MacKinnon on a power play, a milestone Prosvetov recognized and celebrated.

The game also marked a milestone for MacKinnon, who reached 800 career points, becoming the fifth player in Avalanche/Quebec Nordiques history to achieve this feat.

The Sabres faced another setback as forward Jeff Skinner left the game with an upper-body injury, with no update provided postgame.

The Avalanche’s win reflects their depth and skill, with contributions from both established stars and emerging talent. The Sabres, meanwhile, will look to regroup and address their early-game performance issues as they continue their season.

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders triumphed in a nail-biting 4-3 win against the Anaheim Ducks at UBS Arena on Wednesday, thanks to a late short-handed goal by Simon Holmstrom. His decisive goal with just 1:33 left on the clock was a display of skill and poise, as he skated to the bottom of the left circle and expertly lifted the puck over Ducks goalie John Gibson.

The game was a tense affair, with Semyon Varlamov of the Islanders making crucial saves in the dying moments, including a glove save on Ryan Strome and another on Frank Vatrano in the final seconds. Varlamov’s 21 saves were instrumental in preserving the win for New York.

The Islanders, with this victory, have now won four straight games and extended their point streak to seven games (6-0-1). Coach Lane Lambert acknowledged the challenging nature of the game and praised his team’s resilience and ability to find a way to win.

The Ducks, meanwhile, continue to struggle, having lost four consecutive games and 12 of their last 13. Despite a solid third period, Anaheim coach Greg Cronin lamented the team’s sluggish start and the failure to capitalize on a late power play.

Mathew Barzal, Kyle Palmieri, and Casey Cizikas also scored for the Islanders, with Noah Dobson contributing two assists. Palmieri’s early goal in the second period set the tone for the Islanders, and Cizikas’s goal off a 3-on-2 rush extended their lead.

However, the Ducks responded with goals from Troy Terry, Adam Henrique, and Sam Carrick. Terry’s goal, his first since November 1, came off a fortunate deflection, while Henrique capitalized on a broken stick play. Carrick gave the Ducks a brief lead in the third period with a fortuitous shot that deflected off an Islanders player.

Barzal’s power-play goal tied the game at 3-3, setting the stage for Holmstrom’s game-winner. Dobson remarked on the maturity and experience of the Islanders’ group, highlighting their ability to handle challenging situations and come together as a team.

Notably, Holmstrom leads the NHL with four short-handed goals this season. Bo Horvat extended his point streak to eight games with an assist on Barzal’s goal, and Dobson continued his impressive form with a five-game point streak, totaling eight assists. Additionally, Henrique’s face-off prowess was on display, winning 75 percent of his draws.

The win underscores the Islanders’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure, while the Ducks will look to regroup and address their ongoing challenges.

NEWARK, N.J. — Jack Hughes was the star of the night as his overtime goal led the New Jersey Devils to a 2-1 victory against the Boston Bruins at Prudential Center on Wednesday. The win showcased Hughes’s chemistry with teammate Jesper Bratt and highlighted the Devils’ resilience.

Hughes secured the win 2:47 into overtime with a stunning shot into the far corner, over the shoulder of Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman. The play was set up by Bratt, with Hughes expressing his appreciation for their on-ice partnership.

The Devils dominated the overtime period, outshooting the Bruins 6-0. Hughes, reflecting on his and Bratt’s synergy, likened their combination to “peanut butter and jelly,” emphasizing their effortless teamwork.

Dawson Mercer brought the Devils level at 1-1 early in the third period, showing off his hand-eye coordination by batting in a high rebound from Erik Haula’s shot. Mercer’s goal, his first in five games, was a critical moment in the Devils’ comeback.

Vitek Vanecek was a solid presence in goal for New Jersey, making 23 saves. The Devils’ coach, Lindy Ruff, praised his team’s patience and execution against a strong Bruins side.

On the other end, Swayman put up a valiant effort with 33 saves for the Bruins, earning praise from Boston coach Jim Montgomery for his consistent performance this season. Morgan Geekie scored the lone goal for Boston in the first period, capitalizing on a rebound from James van Riemsdyk’s shot.

The Bruins had been formidable when leading after the first period, with a 13-1-1 record this season, but the Devils’ comeback underscored their tenacity.

David Pastrnak’s breakaway chance in the second period could have changed the game’s complexion, but Vanecek’s save kept the Devils in contention. Hughes commended Vanecek’s performance, especially considering the high-quality chance from Pastrnak.

Hughes, who played almost the entire overtime period, was briefly replaced by Michael McLeod for a face-off but quickly returned to action, eventually scoring the winning goal. Ruff noted Hughes’s endurance and ability to recover quickly, crucial in the intense overtime period.

The victory marked New Jersey’s tenth comeback of the season, leading the NHL in this statistic. Hughes’s sixth overtime goal adds to his reputation as a clutch player for the Devils.

The Bruins, missing key players Pavel Zacha and Charlie McAvoy due to upper-body injuries, still saw a strong performance from Swayman, who has been impressive in recent games.

The Devils’ win, their third in overtime this season, places them alongside the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks as teams undefeated in at least three overtime games. The Bruins will look to regroup and address their injury concerns, while the Devils will aim to build on their momentum from this dramatic victory.

MONTREAL — Sidney Crosby’s landmark performance, which saw him tie for 13th on the NHL all-time scoring list, propelled the Pittsburgh Penguins to a thrilling 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens in a marathon 12-round shootout at Bell Centre on Wednesday.

Crosby, achieving a career milestone, matched Mark Recchi with 1,533 career points after surpassing Paul Coffey earlier in the game. His two goals and an assist were pivotal in the Penguins securing back-to-back wins, following their previous victory against the Arizona Coyotes.

“It goes by really quick, but to be in company with ‘Rex,’ having played with him, having watched him here,” Crosby said, reflecting on the significance of his achievement.

The shootout proved to be a nerve-wracking affair, with Jansen Harkins scoring the decisive goal for Pittsburgh on their final attempt. Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson spoke about the tension and excitement on the bench during the shootout.

Crosby’s significant contribution included a power-play goal in the second period to tie the game at 3-3. His consistent excellence drew praise from Canadiens forward Sean Monahan, who acknowledged Crosby’s influence and consistency throughout his career.

The game saw a series of momentum shifts, with David Savard and Jayden Struble putting Montreal ahead in the first period. Crosby and Jake Guentzel responded for Pittsburgh, narrowing the gap with crucial goals.

Montreal’s Sam Montembeault made 27 saves, while Pittsburgh’s Alex Nedeljkovic stopped 39 shots, including nine in overtime. Penguins coach Mike Sullivan lauded his team’s resilience and the crucial role of the power play and penalty kill.

For the Canadiens, coach Martin St. Louis acknowledged the team’s self-inflicted mistakes but praised their third-period performance. Despite this effort, Montreal has struggled at home, losing eight of their past nine games.

The game marked the longest NHL shootout since 2016, adding another notable element to an already memorable night. Additionally, Crosby’s 172nd three-point game tied him with Steve Yzerman for seventh in NHL history.

The Canadiens’ defensemen have contributed significantly this season, with their 23 goals trailing only the Colorado Avalanche in the league. On the Penguins’ side, Karlsson’s two assists marked his 50th multiassist period, a unique achievement for an active defenseman.

Looking ahead, the Penguins aim to build on their recent success, while the Canadiens look to improve their home form.