NHL scores: Capitals fall apart, Kessel ends drought

There were eleven games on the NHL schedule Thursday night, and almost all of them were happening at the exact same time. You almost certainly missed some of what went down, so read this and get yourself up to speed.

All The NHL Scores

Get caught up on last night's NHL scores with recaps from our network of SB Nation team blogs. Here's a quick glance at the full night of action:

Canadiens 4, Sabres 5 (SO)
Lightning 2, Devils 4
Islanders 1, Rangers 4
Panthers 3, Flyers 2 (SO)
Capitals 2, Penguins 5
Flames 4, Blue Jackets 3 (OT)
Hurricanes 4, Senators 1
Maple Leafs 3, Jets 2
Red Wings 5, Blues 1
Kings 0, Predators 3
Canucks 4, Wild 1
Blackhawks 6, Coyotes 2

Five Answers

Prior to last night's games, we presented five burning questions regarding the night's action. Here are your cool, soothing answers.

1. Will the Blackhawks retaliate against Raffi Torres?

Yup. Didn't take long, either. Torres was challenged to a fight by Jamal Mayers on his first shift of the game. They punched each other a few times, and I guess that means everything is settled now?

2. Can Tampa Bay respond?

The Lightning offense remained cold, managing just two goals on nineteen shots.

3. Both St. Louis and Detroit are struggling. Who comes out on top?

Detroit beat the heck out of the Blues, scoring five goals on twenty-nine shots on a Brian Elliott who is looking more like Brian Elliott circa 2010-2011 every single day. Jaroslav Halak needs to get better NOW, and I'm not just saying this because I have him on two fantasy hockey teams.

David Backes for Roberto Luongo? Maybe?

4. Ryan Callahan returns from injury. How's he look?

He looked fine. He played over nineteen minutes and had a couple of shots, but more importantly he was delivering hits and blocking shots like a guy who was never injured.

5. Pittsburgh and Washington are headed in opposite directions. Can the Caps' desperation yield victory?

No, not at all. The Capitals are bleeding and dying and it's not getting any better.

Yikes.

Impact Moment

What moment from last night's games will be making headlines in the coming days?

Another loss for the Capitals would have been one thing, but the manner in which it all fell apart might mean there are changes ahead for this team, sooner rather than later. Issue number one is to find a way to address the team's dreadful goaltending issues.

Alex Ovechkin for Roberto Luongo? Just throwing it out there.

Stat of the Night

Via Fear the Fin:

Blackhawks have scored on 19% of the 5v5 shots they've taken with Patrick Kane on the ice this year. #sustainable

Post to Post

• Nice diving save by P.K. Subban, who has been excellent since returning to the Canadiens:




• Brian Gionta tried to climb a guy. He got a penalty, obviously.
• Phil Kessel's goal drought ended after 314 days. Toronto fans are celebrating.
• Finally, I present to you: J.T. Miller, American Hockey God.