NHL DAILY RECAP | February 6, 2026
By IceHockeyMan Newsroom | Date: February 6, 2026
Final Scores
Buffalo Sabres 2, Pittsburgh Penguins 5 | New Jersey Devils 1, New York Islanders 3 | New York Rangers 0, Carolina Hurricanes 2 | Philadelphia Flyers 1, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT) | Washington Capitals 4, Nashville Predators 2 | Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Florida Panthers 1 | Vegas Golden Knights 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Buffalo Sabres 2, Pittsburgh Penguins 5
Pittsburgh converted at a higher finishing rate and maintained the edge in shot volume. Buffalo generated looks as well, but the Penguins’ saves and efficiency created separation on the scoreboard.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: BUF 28, PIT 32
- Shots Off Target: BUF 22, PIT 11
- Shooting: BUF 2 for 28 (7.14%), PIT 5 for 32 (15.63%)
- Blocked Shots: BUF 8, PIT 10
- Goalkeeper Saves: BUF 27, PIT 26
- Save Percentage: BUF 87.10%, PIT 92.86%
- Penalties: BUF 4, PIT 6
- PIM: BUF 11, PIT 15
New Jersey Devils 1, New York Islanders 3
New York capitalized on fewer shots, finishing at a strong rate while holding steady defensively. New Jersey carried more attempts, but the Islanders’ goaltending and execution swung the result.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: NJD 24, NYI 14
- Shots Off Target: NJD 16, NYI 13
- Shooting: NJD 1 for 24 (4.17%), NYI 3 for 14 (21.43%)
- Blocked Shots: NJD 12, NYI 14
- Goalkeeper Saves: NJD 11, NYI 23
- Save Percentage: NJD 84.62%, NYI 95.83%
- Penalties: NJD 1, NYI 1
- PIM: NJD 2, NYI 2
New York Rangers 0, Carolina Hurricanes 2
Carolina controlled the shot share and closed out a clean defensive performance. New York was held to limited finishing opportunities, while the Hurricanes’ volume and structure did the work.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: NYR 16, CAR 43
- Shots Off Target: NYR 11, CAR 22
- Shooting: NYR 0 for 16 (0.00%), CAR 2 for 43 (4.65%)
- Blocked Shots: NYR 10, CAR 21
- Goalkeeper Saves: NYR 41, CAR 16
- Save Percentage: NYR 97.62%, CAR 100.00%
- Penalties: NYR 3, CAR 2
- PIM: NYR 6, CAR 4
Philadelphia Flyers 1, Ottawa Senators 2 (OT)
Ottawa carried the shot edge and got the overtime finish after a tight regulation game. Philadelphia stayed close through defensive work, but the Senators created more on net and found the extra goal.
Internal link to add: Insert a link right here to the Knowledge Center hub page titled Rules of Ice Hockey (because this game ended in OT).
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: PHI 16, OTT 27
- Shots Off Target: PHI 21, OTT 12
- Shooting: PHI 1 for 16 (6.25%), OTT 2 for 27 (7.41%)
- Blocked Shots: PHI 18, OTT 6
- Goalkeeper Saves: PHI 25, OTT 15
- Save Percentage: PHI 92.59%, OTT 93.75%
- Penalties: PHI 1, OTT 1
- PIM: PHI 2, OTT 2
Washington Capitals 4, Nashville Predators 2
Washington combined a slight edge in shots with stronger finishing. Nashville generated chances too, but the Capitals’ conversion rate and saves support were enough to take control.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: WSH 30, NSH 29
- Shots Off Target: WSH 11, NSH 14
- Shooting: WSH 4 for 30 (13.33%), NSH 2 for 29 (6.90%)
- Blocked Shots: WSH 8, NSH 18
- Goalkeeper Saves: WSH 27, NSH 26
- Save Percentage: WSH 93.10%, NSH 86.67%
- Penalties: WSH 4, NSH 6
- PIM: WSH 8, NSH 12
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Florida Panthers 1
Tampa finished at an elite rate and turned their opportunities into separation quickly. Florida produced shots, but the Lightning’s finishing advantage and goaltending result defined the game.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: TBL 28, FLA 34
- Shots Off Target: TBL 8, FLA 13
- Shooting: TBL 6 for 28 (21.43%), FLA 1 for 34 (2.94%)
- Blocked Shots: TBL 5, FLA 16
- Goalkeeper Saves: TBL 33, FLA 22
- Save Percentage: TBL 97.06%, FLA 78.57%
- Penalties: TBL 16, FLA 15
- PIM: TBL 81, FLA 66
Vegas Golden Knights 4, Los Angeles Kings 1
Los Angeles generated more pucks to the net, but Vegas’ finishing was the difference. The Golden Knights converted on limited volume and backed it with strong save work to secure the win.
Stat Box
- Shots on Goal: VGK 22, LAK 33
- Shots Off Target: VGK 12, LAK 20
- Shooting: VGK 4 for 22 (18.18%), LAK 1 for 33 (3.03%)
- Blocked Shots: VGK 12, LAK 20
- Goalkeeper Saves: VGK 32, LAK 18
- Save Percentage: VGK 96.97%, LAK 81.82%
- Penalties: VGK 6, LAK 3
- PIM: VGK 15, LAK 9
Coach Mark Comment
This slate is a clean reminder that shot volume alone does not guarantee results. Several games were decided by finishing efficiency and the ability to protect the slot when the pace tightened. When a team converts early, the rest of the night often becomes a game-state grind: cleaner zone exits, fewer risky pinches, and more controlled shifts through the neutral zone. The most reliable indicator across these matchups was execution under pressure, especially goaltending that stabilizes defensive structure and allows teams to stay patient instead of trading chances.
Q&A
Q1: What should I look at first in a daily recap?
A: Start with the final scores, then compare shots on goal and shooting percentage to see whether the result was driven by volume or finishing.
Q2: Why can a team lose while outshooting the opponent?
A: Because finishing quality and goaltending can outweigh volume. Save percentage and shooting percentage often explain those outcomes.
Q3: What does “shots off target” tell us?
A: It indicates how many attempts missed the net. High misses can mean rushed looks, heavy defensive pressure, or poor shot selection.
Q4: Why do blocked shots matter?
A: They reflect defensive commitment and structure. Strong shot blocking can protect the slot and reduce clean looks on net.
Q5: How should I interpret penalties and PIM?
A: Penalties show how often special teams were triggered, while PIM reflects total minutes assessed. Both can swing momentum and game flow.
Q6: What is a reasonable way to use save percentage from one game?
A: Treat it as a single-game performance indicator, not a full trend. Combine it with shot quality context over multiple games for stronger conclusions.
Q7: Why do overtime results often look “closer” in the stats?
A: OT games usually reflect balanced regulation play where one extra play decides it, even if one side had a shot edge.
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