NHL Recap - 23 November 2025
Date: November 23, 2025 Author: IHM News
Quick tactical recap of last night’s NHL slate. Home teams are listed first, road teams second, following the official game order.
Florida Panthers 3 – 6 Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton overwhelmed Florida with pace and direct attacking through the middle of the ice. The Oilers consistently generated rush chances off broken plays and punished every turnover at the offensive blue line. Florida’s defensive gaps were too soft, allowing Edmonton’s forwards to enter with control and attack off the delay. Special teams tilted the momentum heavily towards the Oilers in the middle frame and the Panthers never fully recovered.
Montreal Canadiens 5 – 2 Toronto Maple Leafs
Montreal outworked Toronto in all three zones and dictated the tempo with an aggressive forecheck. The Canadiens forced repeated turnovers on Toronto’s breakouts and cycled the puck deep, stretching the Leafs’ defensive structure. Montreal’s power play was sharp, using quick puck movement into the bumper and weak-side seams, while Toronto’s top-end skill was kept mostly to the perimeter. Goaltending support for Montreal was steady, controlling rebounds and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Philadelphia Flyers 6 – 3 New Jersey Devilss
Philadelphia turned this into a physical, grinding game and New Jersey never looked comfortable. The Flyers created offense from a strong neutral-zone trap, picking off passes and countering quickly with numbers. Devils’ entries were often one-and-done, as Philly’s defensive layers closed the middle and forced low-percentage shots from the outside. Flyers’ depth scoring stepped up, and their net-front presence made life very difficult for the Devils’ goaltender.
Pittsburgh Penguins 2 – 3 Seattle Kraken (AOT)
Pittsburgh controlled long stretches of puck possession but failed to convert extended zone time into a decisive lead. Seattle stayed patient, tightened their defensive zone coverage and grew into the game in the third period. The Kraken’s forecheck became more disruptive, forcing the Penguins to defend on tired legs. In overtime, Seattle’s puck support and clean 3-on-3 rotations opened space for the game-winner, capping off a disciplined road performance.
San Jose Sharks 2 – 3 Ottawa Senators
Ottawa managed the game with smart puck management and quick transitions. The Senators were sharper on retrievals and more efficient through the neutral zone, turning simple north-south plays into quality entries. San Jose showed flashes of offense but struggled to string together sustained pressure shifts. Ottawa’s defensive structure protected the middle of the ice late in the third, closing down San Jose’s push and securing a solid road win.
Washington Capitals 3 – 5 Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay exposed Washington’s defensive coverage with speed and sharp east-west puck movement. The Lightning repeatedly attacked off the rush, forcing Capitals defenders to pivot and chase. Washington generated some offence through set plays and point shots, but their defensive structure around the slot broke down too often. Tampa’s top-end talent dictated the game on the power play and at even strength, with Washington chasing the scoreline for most of the night.
Nashville Predators 0 – 3 Colorado Avalanche
Colorado delivered a professional, controlled road performance. The Avalanche owned the puck in transition, exiting cleanly and re-entering with full control, which kept Nashville pinned in their zone for long stretches. Predators struggled to generate high-danger looks, with most of their attempts coming from the outside. Colorado’s goaltender handled the limited traffic with confidence, completing the shutout as the Avs closed the game with mature puck management.
Utah Mammoth 3 – 2 New York Rangers
Utah produced one of the surprise results of the night by combining disciplined defensive play with opportunistic finishing. The Rangers drove possession and shot volume but struggled to break down Utah’s compact box in front of the net. Mammoth capitalized on their key scoring chances, including off a broken play in the slot, and relied on strong goaltending to protect the lead late. New York’s push in the final minutes lacked the final touch around the crease.
Anaheim Ducks 4 – 3 Vegas Golden Knights (AOT)
Anaheim showed real resilience to edge Vegas in overtime. The Ducks mixed a younger, high-energy forecheck with structured layers in the neutral zone to slow down the Golden Knights’ transition. Vegas still generated quality looks, but Anaheim’s counterattacks were dangerous all night. In extra time, the Ducks executed a clean 3-on-3 pattern, using speed wide to stretch coverage before finishing the decisive chance.
Calgary Flames 3 – 2 Dallas Stars (Pen)
Calgary and Dallas played a tight, structured game with both teams limiting clean looks from the slot. Flames focused on strong board battles and simple, direct plays to the net, while the Stars leaned on their transition game and puck support through the middle. Neither side could find a winner in extra time, and Calgary eventually prevailed in the shootout, with their shooters showing more composure in the decisive attempts.
Questions & Answers | IHM Performance Metrics
Florida Panthers - Edmonton Oilers
Q: Why did Edmonton win so convincingly in Florida?
A: They dominated transition play and punished Florida’s blue-line mistakes.
Montreal Canadiens - Toronto Maple Leafs
Q: What was the key factor in Montreal’s win over Toronto?
A: Relentless forechecking and pressure on Toronto’s breakouts.
Philadelphia Flyers - New Jersey Devils
Q: Why did the Flyers dismantle the Devils?
A: Superior neutral-zone control and goals off quick transition rushes.
Pittsburgh Penguins - Seattle Kraken
Q: What decided the outcome of this game?
A: Seattle’s more disciplined third period and execution in OT.
San Jose Sharks - Ottawa Senators
Q: What helped Ottawa secure the win?
A: Quick exits and smart late-game management.
Washington Capitals - Tampa Bay Lightning
Q: Why did Washington lose to Tampa Bay?
A: Defensive speed issues and repeated slot coverage failures.
Nashville Predators - Colorado Avalanche
Q: What was the key to Colorado’s shutout?
A: Total transition control and limiting Nashville’s dangerous looks.
Utah Mammoth - New York Rangers
Q: How did Utah beat the Rangers?
A: Strong defensive structure and timely goaltending.
Anaheim Ducks - Vegas Golden Knights
Q: How did Anaheim take it in overtime?
A: Aggressive OT energy and precise finishing.
Calgary Flames - Dallas Stars
Q: Why did Calgary win in the shootout?
A: More composed execution in the shootout attempts.
Coach Mark
Montreal and Colorado delivered the most controlled team performances on this slate. Utah’s win over the Rangers stands out as a discipline-and-goaltending result, while Washington will not be happy with their defensive details against Tampa Bay.