The NHL offered up only a pair of early games Wednesday, but the highlights were plentiful nonetheless.

Here are three goals you simply should not miss:

1. More magic from Auston Matthews

Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews showed off his sharp shooting skills against Jimmy Howard and the Detroit Red Wings, quickly and accurately firing the puck between Trevor Daley's legs and into the back of the net.

How can anyone stop this guy?

2. Jake Allen, playmaker

We're not quite sure what Corey Crawford was doing with Jaden Schwartz bearing down in search of his second goal of the night against the Chicago Blackhawks, but what's remarkable about this play is the perfect pass sent up the ice and off the boards by Jake Allen from the top of his crease to set it up.

The rare primary assist from a goaltender.

Schwartz later capped the hat trick with an empty-net goal.

3. Vladimir Tarasenko's deadly release

The St. Louis Blues are truly blessed to have Vladimir Tarasenko on their side.

The superstar winger stripped the puck from forward Artem Anisimov then spun and fired it past Crawford as fast and on point as possible.

Not a banner night for goalies, but star power was well on display.

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