Friday night’s NHL action: OT thrillers, shootout heroics and international flair

Friday night’s action across the NHL delivered everything hockey fans crave: dramatic overtime finishes, shootout heroics, and international flair. The league showcased four compelling matchups on November 14, with games stretching from Sweden’s Avicii Arena to the American heartland, each contest requiring extra time to decide a winner. From Trevor Zegras’ spectacular between-the-legs shootout winner to Sebastian Aho’s late overtime heroics, the evening provided a showcase of skill and determination.

The night held special significance as the Predators and Penguins continued their Global Series matchup in Stockholm, bringing NHL action to Swedish fans while continuing the league’s recent success with international games. Meanwhile, back in North America, three more games went beyond regulation, proving that when November hockey heats up, anything can happen.

Zegras shines as Flyers edge Blues in thrilling shootout for NHL morning recap November 15 2025

Trevor Zegras put on an offensive clinic at Enterprise Center, recording two goals and an assist before delivering the decisive shootout goal in Philadelphia’s 6-5 victory over St. Louis. The former Ducks forward, now making his mark in orange and black, showcased the elite skill that made him a household name with a jaw-dropping between-the-legs move to seal the win.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening faceoff. Jordan Kyrou wasted no time putting the Blues ahead just 1:19 into the contest, but Zegras responded with his first goal at 8:18 of the opening frame. The second period saw both teams trade goals, with Christian Dvorak scoring for Philadelphia before Justin Faulk answered for St. Louis. Zegras notched his second of the night at 18:24 to tie the game 3-3 heading into the final period.

The third period continued the offensive onslaught with five combined goals. Dylan Holloway and Robert Thomas gave the Blues brief leads, but Dvorak completed his hat trick and Owen Tippett tied things up with his sixth goal of the season. Neither team could break through in overtime, setting up the shootout drama.

In the skills competition, Zegras delivered when it mattered most. After Robert Thomas failed to convert for St. Louis, the Flyers’ newest offensive weapon pulled off his signature move, going between his legs to beat the Blues netminder and send the visiting bench into celebration. The victory moved Philadelphia’s record to 11-6-2 as they continue to exceed early-season expectations.

Owen Tippett’s three-point night (one goal, two assists) complemented Zegras’ heroics, while Christian Dvorak’s hat trick provided crucial offensive depth. For St. Louis, the loss stung despite strong performances from Kyrou, Thomas, and rookie Jimmy Snuggerud, who continues to impress with his fifth goal of the campaign.

Aho’s late overtime winner lifts Hurricanes past Canucks in NHL morning recap November 15 2025

Sebastian Aho waited until the final seconds of overtime to play hero, scoring with just 31 seconds remaining to give Carolina a 4-3 victory over Vancouver at PNC Arena. The Swedish center’s seventh goal of the season capped a resilient comeback effort from the Hurricanes, who had to overcome an early two-goal deficit.

Vancouver came out flying, with Max Sasson opening the scoring at 2:45 and Elias Pettersson adding an unassisted marker at 9:14 to stun the home crowd. But Carolina’s response was swift and emphatic. Andrei Svechnikov scored twice in a 54-second span midway through the first period, tying the game at 2-2 before the first intermission. His second tally came on the power play, showcasing the Hurricanes’ special teams prowess.

Conor Garland restored Vancouver’s lead early in the second period with a power-play goal assisted by Brock Boeser and Pettersson. The Canucks carried that 3-2 advantage deep into the third period, but Carolina’s relentless pressure finally broke through when Taylor Hall tied the game at 6:26, assisted by Shayne Gostisbehere and Svechnikov.

The overtime period appeared destined for a shootout until Aho received a perfect setup from Gostisbehere, who recorded three assists on the night. The veteran defenseman’s exceptional playmaking helped the Hurricanes improve their record while maintaining their strong home-ice advantage. Svechnikov’s two-goal, one-assist performance earned him first-star honors, but Aho’s clutch overtime winner proved the difference.

Carolina’s comeback victory mirrors the resilience they’ve shown throughout recent games, continuing to find ways to win close contests. The Hurricanes’ ability to erase deficits and capitalize in high-pressure situations bodes well for their championship aspirations.

Stamkos delivers in Stockholm as Predators top Penguins in NHL morning recap November 15 2025

Steven Stamkos made his return to Sweden memorable, scoring just 44 seconds into overtime to give Nashville a 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh in the Global Series at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena. The sellout crowd of Swedish fans witnessed a defensive battle that showcased goaltending excellence before Stamkos’ heroics decided the contest.

The Penguins controlled much of the game’s flow, with Evgeni Malkin giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead at 13:49 of the second period on assists from Matt Dumba. Nashville struggled to generate consistent offensive pressure through most of regulation, but they never stopped competing. That persistence paid dividends when Filip Forsberg, playing in front of his home country fans, tied the game with just 10 seconds remaining in the third period.

Forsberg’s goal sent the Swedish crowd into a frenzy and completely shifted the momentum. The native of Östervåla became the story of regulation, delivering in the clutch when his team needed him most. But Stamkos would have the final word in overtime, receiving a perfect pass from Brady Skjei and beating the Pittsburgh netminder to complete Nashville’s comeback.

The victory was particularly sweet for the Predators, who have struggled at times this season but showed tremendous character in hostile-yet-supportive territory. Playing international games presents unique challenges, from travel fatigue to unfamiliar surroundings, but Nashville embraced the opportunity. The game’s significance extended beyond the two points, as it continued the NHL’s successful expansion of its global brand.

According to reports from The Hockey Writers, both teams will face off again on Sunday in Stockholm, giving them a chance to adjust and respond. For Pittsburgh, the loss stung after dominating possession for long stretches, while Nashville gained confidence from their resilience.

Schaefer’s overtime goal gives Islanders win over Utah in NHL morning recap November 15 2025

Rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer continued his impressive debut season, scoring 2:06 into overtime to lift the New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth. The seventh overall pick has quickly become a key contributor, and his game-winning goal marked his seventh of the campaign, showcasing the offensive instincts that made him a highly-touted prospect.

Emil Heineman opened the scoring for New York at 7:13 of the first period, but Utah responded with two quick goals to take control. J. Peterka and Dylan Guenther both found the net in the opening frame, giving the Mammoth a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission. The advantage seemed secure as Utah’s defense locked down the middle period, preventing the Islanders from generating quality chances.

The third period saw New York ramp up the pressure, peppering the Utah netminder with shots and cycling the puck effectively in the offensive zone. The breakthrough came when Jonathan Drouin scored unassisted at 13:44, knotting the game at 2-2 and sending it to overtime. Drouin’s goal was the culmination of sustained pressure and rewarded the Islanders’ refusal to quit.

In the extra frame, Schaefer demonstrated poise beyond his years. Taking a feed from Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, the rookie defender showed patience before firing a shot that beat the Utah goalie cleanly. His celebration showed the pure joy of a young player making his mark at hockey’s highest level.

The victory improved New York’s record while Utah continued to search for consistency in their inaugural season. For the Mammoth, moral victories come from competitive performances, and pushing a playoff-contending team to overtime showed progress. However, finding ways to close out these tight games will be crucial for their development.

Friday night’s quartet of games exemplified why November hockey captivates fans. Four games, four overtime or shootout finishes, and countless memorable moments combined to create an evening that reminded everyone why the NHL’s grueling 82-game schedule produces nightly drama. From Zegras’ flash to Aho’s clutch gene to Stamkos’ international heroics, the league’s stars delivered when the spotlight shone brightest.

As teams head into Saturday’s slate and beyond, the lessons from November 14 resonate clearly: no lead is safe, overtime creates heroes, and every point matters in the relentless march toward playoff positioning. The Flyers, Hurricanes, Predators, and Islanders emerged victorious, but each contest could have easily swung the other direction—a reality that keeps fans on the edge of their seats from October through April.