Many of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) games on Saturday featured local rivalries as things got back underway after the Christmas break.

The game that produced the most drama on Saturday came in Toronto, where the Maple Leafs topped the Ottawa Senators 7-5 in the all-Ontario clash. 

It took the Leafs just 40 seconds to get in front through William Nylander, who converted an early power play. Matthew Knies followed suit to double their advantage later on in the frame. The Sens would get on the board with 2:10 left before the first intermission, as Nick Cousins took his opportunity.

Just like the first period, another very early goal occurred once the teams returned to the ice. This time, it was Ottawa who found their leveller through Ridly Greig, who needed 18 seconds to find the back of the net.

From there, the Buds came back alive, scoring three more times before the midway mark of the period. Bobby McMann gave them the lead back, before Auston Matthews restored the two-goal cushion. That led to a change in goal for the Senators, only for them to concede again moments later via Nick Robertson.

Drake Batherson continued the theme of very early goals by getting one back for his team 14 seconds into the third. Tim Stutzle made it a one-score contest five minutes into the final period of regulation. However, the Leafs responded less than a minute later as Knies got his second of the night.

Jordan Spence then gave the guests hope once more as he made it 6-5 with half of the period left. Yet, despite mustering a total of 54 shots in the game, the Senators could not find the tying marker. John Tavares scored an empty netter with a minute and change left to secure the win for the Leafs.

It was a second victory in a row for Toronto, though they still sit second from the bottom in the Eastern Conference. As for Ottawa, it was back-to-back defeats as they slip to 12th spot, just one point out of the playoff places.

The Washington Capitals got back to winning ways on Saturday night, beating the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in overtime. It took until the final second of the opening frame for Alexei Protas to put the visitors in front in an intense first 20 minutes. 

Jesper Bratt tied things up five minutes into the second, finishing off a power play. However, they would then find themselves behind once more before the end of the frame. Anthony Beauvillier converted late on in the period to make it 2-1 for the Caps.

Things took an interesting turn after the second intermission, as the Devils managed to score twice in the space of 32 seconds to go in front. Jesper Bratt levelled the score, before Cody Glass put his team in front with 12:28 left in regulation.

There was no stopping Washington though, as the league’s all-time goalscorer Alex Ovechkin restored parity with his 912th goal. 

The game could not be decided in regulation, with a mini-period needed to determine a winner. That would go the Capitals’ way, with Jakob Chychrun notching the winner with 54 seconds left.

The Caps, who ended their three-game losing skid, stay seventh in the East with the victory. As for the Devils, they are just outside of the postseason spots as one of four teams on 42 points.

Other scores

Los Angeles Kings 6-1 Anaheim Ducks

Dallas Stars 3-4 Chicago Blackhawks (SO)

St. Louis Blues 3-2 Nashville Predators

Buffalo Sabres 4-1 Boston Bruins

Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 Detroit Red Wings

Florida Panthers 2-4 Tampa Bay Lightning

Winnipeg Jets 3-4 Minnesota Wild

New York Islanders 2-0 New York Rangers

Calgary Flames 3-2 Edmonton Oilers

Vancouver Canucks 3-6 San Jose Sharks

Vegas Golden Knights 5-6 Colorado Avalanche (SO)