NHL Roundup: Kraken Spoil Sidney Crosby’s Historic Day, Oilers and Bruins Shine in Key Victories
The NHL delivered another thrilling slate of games on January 25, 2025, with standout performances, historic milestones, and dramatic finishes headlining the action. From Sidney Crosby’s record-breaking moment to the Seattle Kraken’s impressive victory, here’s a roundup of the day’s most notable games.
Kraken Defeat Penguins, Overshadow Crosby’s Milestone
The Seattle Kraken emerged victorious with a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, spoiling a historic day for Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. Crosby, one of the NHL’s all-time greats, achieved two significant milestones during the game:
- Historic Duo: Crosby’s goal, assisted by defenseman Kris Letang, marked the 307th time the duo combined for a goal. This moved them past Boston legends Phil Esposito and Bobby Orr for second place in NHL history for a forward/defenseman pairing. They now trail only Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey, who combined for 350 goals.
- Road Warrior: Crosby’s goal also gave him 742 career points on the road, breaking a tie with Joe Sakic for 10th place in NHL history.
Despite Crosby’s achievements, the Kraken dominated the game. Vince Dunn scored the go-ahead goal on a two-man advantage late in the second period, while Oliver Bjorkstrand, Eeli Tolvanen, and Matty Beniers added to the tally. The Kraken finished their four-game homestand with a 3-1-0 record, solidifying their position as a playoff contender.
Stars Shut Out Blues Behind DeSmith’s Heroics
The Dallas Stars blanked the St. Louis Blues 2-0, thanks to a stellar performance by goaltender Casey DeSmith, who stopped all 33 shots he faced. Evgenii Dadonov and Esa Lindell provided the offense, with Lindell’s goal coming just over three minutes after Dadonov’s opener. The Stars’ defense held firm, frustrating the Blues and handing them a tough loss at home.
Oilers Rally Past Sabres Behind Nugent-Hopkins’ Brace
The Edmonton Oilers continued their strong form with a 3-2 comeback win over the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was the hero, scoring twice, including the game-winner in the third period. Jeff Skinner also found the net in his first game against his former team, while Stuart Skinner made 39 saves to secure the victory. The Oilers have now won 10 of their last 13 games, showcasing their potential as a Stanley Cup contender.
Bruins Edge Avalanche in Thrilling Comeback
The Boston Bruins rallied to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 3-1, with Morgan Geekie scoring twice in the third period. Geekie’s goals, both assisted by David Pastrnak, turned the game around after the Bruins trailed early. Pastrnak added an empty-netter to seal the win, extending his point streak to seven games. The Bruins have now earned points in six of their last seven games, maintaining their position atop the Eastern Conference.
Flames Hold Off Wild in High-Scoring Affair
The Calgary Flames survived a late scare to defeat the Minnesota Wild 5-4. Andrei Kuzmenko led the way with two goals and an assist, while Martin Pospisil contributed a goal and an assist. The Flames led by three goals with less than two minutes remaining, but Marcus Foligno and Mats Zuccarello scored quick goals to make it a nail-biter. Calgary held on for their third straight win, showcasing their offensive firepower.
Islanders Stun Hurricanes in Overtime
The New York Islanders staged a dramatic comeback to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 in overtime. Brock Nelson scored the game-winner just over two minutes into the extra period, capping a resilient performance by the Islanders. Despite trailing 2-0 early and losing goaltender Marcus Hogberg to injury, New York rallied to win their fourth straight game.
Senators Snap Skid with Win Over Maple Leafs
The Ottawa Senators ended a two-game scoring drought with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Shane Pinto scored the decisive goal off his leg with just over nine minutes remaining, while Tim Stutzle added a goal and Anton Forsberg made 28 saves. The win was a much-needed boost for the Senators, who have struggled to find consistency this season.
Blue Jackets Extend Home Winning Streak
The Columbus Blue Jackets won their fifth straight home game, defeating the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime. Kirill Marchenko scored the winner with 1:15 left in overtime, showcasing his skill with a dazzling solo effort. Zach Werenski and Dante Fabbro also scored for Columbus, while Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves to secure the victory.
Red Wings Shut Out Lightning
The Detroit Red Wings handed the Tampa Bay Lightning their first shutout loss of the season with a 2-0 victory. Cam Talbot was flawless in net, stopping all 28 shots he faced. Marco Kasper and Michael Rasmussen provided the goals, while Nikita Kucherov’s 11-game point streak came to an end. The win was a statement for the Red Wings, who avenged a 5-1 loss to Tampa Bay just a week earlier.
Ducks Continue Strong Home Form
The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Nashville Predators 5-2, with Mason McTavish scoring twice for the second straight game. Trevor Zegras and Jansen Harkins each had a goal and an assist, while Lukas Dostal made 32 saves in relief of an injured John Gibson. The Ducks improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven home games, showing signs of progress in their rebuild.
Panthers Dominate Struggling Sharks
The Florida Panthers cruised to a 7-2 win over the San Jose Sharks, with Matthew Tkachuk and Aaron Ekblad leading the way. Tkachuk had a goal and two assists, while Ekblad scored in his return from injury. The Sharks, meanwhile, extended their losing streak to six games, highlighting their ongoing struggles this season.
Devils Edge Canadiens in Overtime
The New Jersey Devils defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 in overtime, with Jack Hughes scoring the winner on a breakaway. Jesper Bratt, Tomas Tatar, and Nico Hischier also scored for the Devils, while Jake Allen made 29 saves in his return to Montreal. The Canadiens, despite a strong performance from Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, fell short in their bid to extend their recent hot streak.
Canucks End Capitals’ Streak
The Vancouver Canucks snapped the Washington Capitals’ six-game winning streak with a 2-1 victory. Quinn Hughes scored both goals for the Canucks, while Kevin Lankinen made 32 saves to secure the win. The Capitals, who had not lost in regulation since December 29, were unable to overcome Vancouver’s strong defensive effort.
Conclusion
January 25, 2025, was a day of milestones, comebacks, and standout performances across the NHL. From Sidney Crosby’s historic achievements to the Kraken’s statement win, the league continues to deliver thrilling action as the playoff race heats up. Fans can look forward to more excitement as teams jockey for position in the standings.
