Rookies steal spotlight on jam-packed night of hockey

The kids came to play.

On a night when 30 of the NHL's 31 teams suited up - only the St. Louis Blues watched from the sidelines - a handful of freshmen stole the spotlight.

Vancouver Canucks rookie Brock Boeser and Washington Capitals first-year player Jakub Vrana led the way with a pair of goals apiece, while four other freshmen also found the back of the net Wednesday.

Jake DeBrusk of the Boston Bruins was the first to do so, as he picked up his fifth of the season by firing a perfect shot past New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider. It marked his second goal in as many games.

The Bruins rookie wasn't the only first-year skater to tally in the game, as Devils forward Jesper Bratt recorded his sixth of the year. The point moved Bratt to 14 on the season, one behind teammate and 2016 first overall pick Nico Hischier.

In Brooklyn, two rookies connected to power the New York Islanders to a thrilling overtime win over the Philadelphia Flyers. Josh Ho-Sang recorded his second goal of the season, and his third point in the last five games since being recalled from the minors Nov. 11.

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal also chipped in, collecting his fifth goal and 20th point. Barzal sits one point shy of Boeser for top spot in the rookie scoring race.

In a season that began with no clear favorite to take home the Calder, several candidates have put together solid cases for top rookie honors, and added to their respective resumes with Wednesdays performances.