Highest-scoring NHL game: Where Kings vs. Kraken 17-goal affair ranks on the all-time list | Sporting News (2024)

Someone forgot to tell the Kraken and Kings to bring their defense and goaltending on Tuesday night. The two Pacific Division foes had a goal-scoring frenzy in Los Angeles, as the two teams combined for 17 goals in an 9-8 overtime win for Seattle.

The first period saw the Kings and Kraken each pot three goals, bringing a tie to the middle frame. In the second period, eight combined goals were scored as the Kraken pulled ahead 8-6 after 40 minutes. After two goals by the Kings in the third period to knot the game once again, Andre Burakovsky finally ended the night with an overtime winner.

The 17 total goals scored marked just the 12th time in the past 35 years that two teams potted at least that amount.

The @SeattleKraken and @LAKings combined for 17 goals Tuesday, marking the 12th regular-season game in the past 35 years to feature at least as many.#NHLStats: https://t.co/6Nyqr1Q5vt pic.twitter.com/Jmi6hlpfSM

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 30, 2022

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While it is the highest-scoring game so far in the 2022-23 season, that combined total does not even rank in the top 20 on the NHL's all-time list. Here's a look atthe most combined goals scored in an NHL game.

Highest-scoring NHL games

It's not surprising to see that it is either contest from the very early ages of the NHL and the Oilers teams from the 1980s that are a part of the highest-scoring affairs in NHL history.

There have been two games where there were a combined 21 goals scored, the most in any NHL game. The first happened in 1920 between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto St. Patrick's, where the Canadiens won a 14-7 game. That record stood alone until late in 1985 when the Oilers and Blackhawks combined for 21 goals in a 12-9 win for Edmonton.

There are only two other instances where at least 20 goals were tallied, and the Oilers were involved in both. In 1984, they played the Minnesota North Stars to a 12-8 affair, and two years later in 1986, the Oilers were defeated by the Maple Leafs 11-9.

DATEMATCHUPSCORETOTAL GOALS
Jan. 1, 1920Montreal Canadiens vs. Toronto St. PatricksCanadiens 14, St. Patrick's 721
Dec. 11, 1985Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton OilersOilers 12, Blackhawks 921
Jan. 4, 1984Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota North StarsOilers 12, North Stars 820
Jan. 8, 1986Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Edmonton OilersMaple Leafs 11, Oilers 920
Dec. 19, 1918Montreal Wanderers vs. Toronto ArenasWanderers 10, Arenas 919
March 3, 1920Quebec Bulldogs vs. Montreal CanadiensCanadiens 16, Bulldogs 319
Feb. 26, 1921Montreal Canadiens vs. Hamilton TigersCanadiens 13, Bulldogs 619
March 4, 1944Boston Bruins vs. New York RangersBruins 10, Rangers 919
March 16, 1944Detroit Red Wings vs. Boston BruinsRed Wings 10, Bruins 919
Oct. 7, 1983Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota North StarsCanucks 10, North Stars 919

Highest-scoring NHL playoff games

The Oilers teams of the '80s had some of the highest-scoring postseason affairs.While Edmonton was typically on the winning end, their highest-scoring playoff match had them as the losers.

Their eight goals against the Kings in the 1982 playoffs was not enough to win, as Los Angeles potted 10, bringing the game total to 18 goals, the record for most goals in a playoff game.

The Penguins-Flyers rivalry resulted in a 17-goal affair in 1989, the second-highest total goals scored in the postseason. After that, it is that vaunted Oilers team again, this time coming out with a win after thumping the Kings 13-3 in 1987.

DATEMATCHUPSCORETOTAL GOALS
April 7, 1982Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles KingsKings 10, Oilers 818
April 25, 1989Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia FlyersPenguins 10, Flyers 717
April 9, 1987Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles KingsOilers 13, Kings 316
April 10, 1990Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary FlamesKings 12, Flames 416
May 8, 1973Montreal Canadiens vs. Chicago BlackhawksBlackhawks 8, Canadiens 715
April 9, 1981Boston Bruins vs. Minnesota North StarsNorth Stars 9, Bruins 615
May 15, 1985Edmonton Oilers vs.Chicago BlackhawksOilers 10, Blackhawks 515
April 29, 1993Los Angeles Kings vs. Calgary FlamesKings 9, Flames 615
May 18, 2022Calgary Flames vs. Edmonton OilersFlames 9, Oilers 615
April 21, 1974Boston Bruins vs. Chicago BlackhawksBruins 8, Blackhawks 614
April 10, 1985Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red WingsBlackhawks 9, Red Wings 614
May 12, 1985Chicago Blackhawks vs. Edmonton OilersBlackhawks 8, Oilers 614
April 22, 1988New Jersey Devils vs. Washington CapitalsDevils 10, Capitals 414
May 31, 2022Edmonton Oilers at Colorado AvalancheAvalanche 8, Oilers 614

Certainly! This article delves deep into high-scoring NHL games, both in the regular season and playoffs. It covers historical matchups with exceptionally high combined goal totals, showcasing the most prolific scoring encounters in the league's history. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered:

  1. High-Scoring NHL Games: The article focuses on a specific game between the Seattle Kraken and the Los Angeles Kings, which resulted in a staggering total of 17 goals. It's highlighted as the 12th instance in the past 35 years where two teams have scored at least this many goals in a single game.

  2. Historical High-Scoring Games: It references the top games in NHL history where the goal counts reached unprecedented levels. Specifically, it highlights games where teams combined for 21, 20, or more goals. Notably, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto St. Patrick's game in 1920, the Edmonton Oilers' involvement in multiple high-scoring games during the 1980s, and several other matchups from different eras.

  3. Comparison with All-Time Records: The article contrasts the recent high-scoring game with the highest-scoring NHL games ever played, which date back to the early 20th century and the high-scoring era of the 1980s Oilers.

  4. Highest-Scoring NHL Playoff Games: It also explores the most prolific playoff games, detailing instances where teams scored exceptionally high numbers of goals during postseason matchups. Notably, it includes games involving the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, showcasing the highest goal counts in playoff history.

This article essentially celebrates and details instances where NHL games have seen remarkable offensive displays, shedding light on both regular-season and playoff games with exceptionally high-scoring totals. It's a fascinating exploration of the history of goal-scoring in the NHL, showcasing some of the most memorable and remarkable games ever played.

Highest-scoring NHL game: Where Kings vs. Kraken 17-goal affair ranks on the all-time list | Sporting News (2024)
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