Two NHL teams delivered another high-scoring, chaotic start to their season after their explosive opener, this time pushing the goal total even higher in a game that left fans questioning whether the league’s new pace-of-play rules are working. The back-to-back blowouts—one already a record-breaker—highlight a trend of frantic, low-defense hockey that has dominated early matchups, raising questions about whether the sport is evolving in a way that prioritizes entertainment over fundamentals. With both squads now facing potential backlash for contributing to the trend, the focus shifts to whether teams will adjust their strategies or double down on the aggressive, fast-paced style that’s defined their seasons so far.

The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers apparently decided that one ridiculous season opener wasn’t enough. After combining for 11 goals in Edmonton, they went one better (or worse, depending on…