On this day in 1985, the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Black Hawks combined for a goals fest that the NHL hasn't seen since. Kirill Kaprizov is congratulated by Brandon Duhaime and Vinni Lettieri after scoring his third goal of the game on Feb. 19. [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjA0NTY2MDMyMTU5ODc3MDQ5/usatsi_22563751_168400847_lowres.jpg] Kirill Kaprizov is congratulated by Brandon Duhaime and Vinni Lettieri after scoring his third goal of the game on Feb. 19. At the end of the day, goals are king in hockey. If you can score them in bunches, even better. The Minnesota Wild did just that on Feb. 19, pumping seven third-period goals past the Vancouver Canucks in a stunning 10-7 comeback win. It was the most red lights in a single period in Wild franchise history, and it was only the sixth time a team has scored seven goals in a period in the past 20 years. (In case you're wondering, the NHL's all-time record for most goals in a single period is held by the Buffalo Sabres, who scored an astounding nine times in the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs en route to a 14-4 trouncing on March 19, 1981.) Here’s a look at each NHL team’s single-period high-water mark since the post-lockout 2005-06 season: SEVEN GOALS Buffalo Sabres Nov. 20, 2006: Buffalo Sabres 7, Tampa Bay Lightning 2 Paul Gaustad and Thomas Vanek each chipped in two goals in the second period to burn the Lightning. No more than six minutes elapsed between any of the seven markers. New York Islanders March 10, 2014: New York Islanders 7, Vancouver Canucks 4 In true Islanders fashion, seven different goal-scorers lit the lamp to erase a 3-0 deficit against the Canucks, who show up an alarming amount in this case study. New York Rangers March 17, 2021: New York Rangers 9, Philadelphia Flyers 0 Not only did the Blueshirts score nine unanswered goals, but Mika Zibanejad tied the NHL record for points in a period with six after racking up three consecutive assists followed by a hat trick in this second-period onslaught against Philly. St. Louis Blues April 17, 2022: St. Louis Blues 8, Nashville Predators 3 The Blues chased Juuse Saros out of the crease and then terrorized David Rittich as they potted seven straight before adding one more for good measure. Florida Panthers March 16, 2023: Florida Panthers 9, Montreal Canadiens 5 In the thick of a tight playoff race, the Cats and Habs fired back-and-forth in a goal-a-palooza of a first period. The Panthers emerged with seven of the 10 goals scored as they flexed their depth on an inferior Montreal squad. Minnesota Wild Feb. 19, 2024: Minnesota Wild 10, Vancouver Canucks 7 The most recent addition to the list, the Wild benefitted from hat tricks by Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov – who both had six-point games – in this wild barnburner. SIX GOALS Nashville Predators Dec. 17, 2005: Nashville Predators 7, Columbus Blue Jackets 3 It was a rare offensive blowup by the defensive-minded Predators, who picked on Rick Nash and the basement-dwelling Blue Jackets. Montreal Canadiens Dec. 10, 2016: Montreal Canadiens 10, Colorado Avalanche 1 The worst season of the salary-cap era was punctuated by this double-digit massacre. Max Pacioretty stamped two of his four goals in the first frame as the Canadiens steamrolled the Avs. Colorado would only win 12 more games that season. Vancouver Canucks Jan. 21, 2006: Vancouver Canucks 6, Montreal Canadiens 2 Henrik and Daniel Sedin didn’t relent against Montreal, combining for five points in a first period that epitomized their brotherly connection. Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 13, 2016: Carolina Hurricanes 8, Vancouver Canucks 6 Viktor Rask and the Canes rallied after being bled for four straight second-period goals to score six of their own in the third, including five straight. Washington Capitals March 3, 2008: Washington Capitals 10, Boston Bruins 2 Of course, the Caps’ highest-scoring period in the salary-cap era featured a first-period Alex Ovechkin hat trick, which just happened to include his league-leading 50th goal. At the beginning of March. Ridiculous. San Jose Sharks March 11, 2010: San Jose Sharks 8, Nashville Predators 5 Joe Pavelski’s four third-period points were the difference against the Predators, who’ve appeared on this list as the opponent more than any other team except for Vancouver. Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 7, 2011: Toronto Maple Leafs 9, Atlanta Thrashers 3 With Auston Matthews torching the league with his elite goal-scoring, it’s hard to believe that the current Leafs’ core hasn’t matched this feat. Instead, Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur were the weapons of choice as they took down the struggling Thrashers. Arizona Coyotes March 28, 2013: Phoenix Coyotes 7, Nashville Predators 4 Radim Vrbata scored two first-period goals to lead the Yotes past the Predators. Edmonton Oilers April 27, 2013: Edmonton Oilers 7, Vancouver Canucks 2 Similar to Toronto, it’s mind-boggling that Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl haven’t matched the six goals scored in one frame by the 2012-13 Oilers, one of the darkest periods in franchise history. In fact, it was another No. 1 overall pick, Nail Yakupov, who led the charge with a third-period hat trick to rout Vancouver. Those three goals by Yakupov represent nearly five percent of his career total (62 goals). Anaheim Ducks March 14, 2014: Anaheim Ducks 6, Colorado Avalanche 4 On their way to a Western Conference crown, Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks put on a show in the second period against the Avs. Kyle Palmieri’s two goals led the charge as Anaheim bagged four goals in less than five minutes. Pittsburgh Penguins Jan. 16, 2017: Pittsburgh Penguins 8, Washington Capitals 7 There’s nothing better than burning your bitter rivals for five straight goals in an eventual Stanley Cup-winning season. This matchup between the NHL’s two biggest heavyweights was a treat for fans. Colorado Avalanche Nov. 7, 2019: Colorado Avalanche 9, Nashville Predators 4 With the likes of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, you’d expect a six-goal period from the Avs to feature one of those names as a goal-scorer. But this contest saw Matt Nieto, Joonas Donskoi and Matt Calvert take charge to stun Nashville. Winnipeg Jets Feb. 2, 2019: Winnipeg Jets 9, Anaheim Ducks 3 The Jets caught the Ducks sleeping at home as Winnipeg ran away after 20 minutes with six unanswered goals, with two coming from youngster Jack Roslovic. Calgary Flames March 12, 2019: Calgary Flames 9, New Jersey Devils 4 This won’t be the last time the Devils get embarrassed here. The Flames blasted six pucks past Mackenzie Blackwood in the final frame to hand New Jersey its seventh loss in a row. Tampa Bay Lightning Jan. 7, 2020: Tampa Bay Lightning 9, Vancouver Canucks 2 The Lightning flexed their star power on the Canucks for their eighth straight win en route to a Stanley Cup championship in September of that year. New Jersey Devils April 20, 2021: New Jersey Devils 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 7 The Devils hold the unfortunate distinction of their highest-scoring period occurring in a loss. A valiant six-goal third period was too little too late against a 6-0 deficit. Boston Bruins March 31, 2022: Boston Bruins 8, New Jersey Devils 1 The Devils were also the victims of a six-goal second frame that eliminated them from playoff contention. Brad Marchand scored twice to reach 30 goals for the fifth time in his career. Seattle Kraken Jan. 14, 2023: Seattle Kraken 8, Chicago Blackhawks 5 Despite being the NHL’s youngest franchise, the Kraken already boast a single-period six-spot, thanks to the mediocrity of last year’s Blackhawks. Jared McCann added two tallies to his eventual 40-goal year. FIVE GOALS Los Angeles Kings Nov. 10, 2007: Los Angeles Kings 6, Dallas Stars 5 Facing a formidable four-goal deficit after 40 minutes, the early pieces of the Kings’ mini-dynasty led the way with five straight goals, forcing overtime when Anze Kopitar buried the dagger. Detroit Red Wings Nov. 14, 2009: Detroit Red Wings 7, Anaheim Ducks 4 Henrik Zetterberg’s third-period hat trick lifted the powerhouse Red Wings to victory. Ottawa Senators Oct. 26, 2006: Ottawa Senators 7, Toronto Maple Leafs 2 This high-octane Sens squad actually accomplished the feat of a five-goal period three times in the 2006-07 season, including twice just five days apart. Dany Heatley’s second-period hat trick highlighted their stampede over the Leafs. Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 19, 2013: Philadelphia Flyers 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 4 Claude Giroux accumulated four third-period points, including the game-tying and game-winning markers. Chicago Blackhawks Oct. 5, 2017: Chicago Blackhawks 10, Pittsburgh Penguins 1 Opening the season with five first-period goals against the defending Stanley Cup champions is pretty good, right? Brandon Saad scored the first two of an eventual hat trick. Dallas Stars Oct. 29, 2019: Dallas Stars 6, Minnesota Wild 3 Another five-goal period, another hat trick. Alexander Radulov scored his third into the empty net to cap the Stars’ six straight goals, which came on the heels of an early 3-0 hole. Columbus Blue Jackets Nov. 4, 2016: Columbus Blue Jackets 10, Montreal Canadiens 0 This game is infamous for several reasons, one of them being that Al Montoya was left out to dry for all 10 goals scored in the blowout loss. And at Nationwide Arena, that means 10 cannon blasts ringing in your ears for good measure. Vegas Golden Knights Feb. 12, 2023: Vegas Golden Knights 7, Anaheim Ducks 2 Although they led the Ducks 2-1 heading into the final frame, Vegas had no intention of winning a close game. Five different skaters beat John Gibson on 16 third-period shots to rout Anaheim.
