LANDESKOG NETS HAT TRICK, AVALANCHE HAND DEVILS FIRST LOSS
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog scored his third career hat trick, all of which have come since the start of last season, and Mikko Rantanentallied 1-3—4 as Colorado handed New Jersey its first loss of the season (4-1-0). Landeskog has tallied each of the past three hat tricks by an Avalanche player (also Dec. 16, 2017 vs. TBL and Nov. 16, 2017 vs. WSH).

* Landeskog tied the score at 3-3 with his second goal of the game before netting the game-winner with 3:22 remaining in the third period, marking the seventh go-ahead goal in the final five minutes of regulation this season (and second in as many days).

* Nathan MacKinnon (0-3—3) also found the score sheet to extend his season-opening point streak to seven contests (7-4—11), a feat also matched by Rantanen (2-11—13). They are the fifth set of teammates in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history to simultaneously post a point streak of at least seven games to begin a season; Joe Sakic and Anton Stastny (8 GP in 1988-89 w/ QUE) are the only tandem with a longer such run.

McDAVID PILES UP MORE POINTS IN SHOWDOWN OF STARS

Connor McDavid collected two assists, including a helper on Leon Draisaitl’s overtime goal as the Oilers outlasted the Bruins’ high-scoring trio of David Pastrnak (1-0—1), Brad Marchand (0-1—1) and Patrice Bergeron.

* McDavid leads Edmonton with 4-7—11 through five games, becoming just the third different player in franchise history to record at least 11 points in the team’s opening five games of a season. Wayne Gretzky achieved the feat in seven of his nine seasons with the Oilers, including a franchise-record 15 points through five games in 1983-84 (7-8—15), while Jari Kurri tallied 11 that season.

* Since entering the League in 2015-16, McDavid ranks second in the NHL with 176 assists, one back of Erik Karlsson (177). McDavid’s career average of 0.82 assists per game is tied with Sidney Crosby for the highest such average among active players (min. 10 GP). Only four players in League history finished with a better assists per game average: Wayne Gretzky (1.32), Mario Lemieux (1.13), Bobby Orr (0.98) and Peter Forsberg (0.90).

BARZAL, COUTURE HIGHLIGHT THURSDAY’S HIGH-SCORING AFFAIRS
A seven-goal performance by the Islanders and a hat trick in San Jose - one of two on the night - continued scoring trends prominent in the League last season:

* Mathew Barzal (0-2—2) was one of six Islanders players to record multiple points as the club tallied seven goals in Los Angeles. Barzal has 23-69—92 through his first 90 career appearances (1.02 points per game). Only five other players since 1995-96 have averaged at least a point per game through their first 90 career outings: Sidney Crosby (1.30), Alex Ovechkin (1.29), Evgeni Malkin (1.13), Connor McDavid (1.09) and Paul Stastny (1.02).

* Thursday marked the 12th time this season that a team scored seven or more goals in a game (98 GP). In 2017-18, the highest-scoring campaign in more than a decade (5.9 goals per game), there were four such instances through the first 98 contests.

* Logan Couture netted his third career three-goal performance - and the 59th in franchise history - as the Sharks scored at least five goals in a game for the second time in four contests. Couture, who posted a career-high 34 goals last season, was one of two Sharks players to record a hat trick in 2017-18 (also Evander Kane: 4-0—4 on March 16 at CGY).

* There have been nine hat tricks through 98 games this season, one more than at the same point in 2017-18. Overall, there were 81 performances of at least three goals last season, the most in one campaign since 2000-01 (93).

HINOSTROZA, RAANTA HELP COYOTES TOPPLE BLACKHAWKS

Facing their former club, Antti Raanta (33 saves) and Vinnie Hinostroza (2-0—2) each played crucial roles as the Coyotes defeated the Blackhawks in Chicago.

* Raanta has allowed three or fewer goals in 16 consecutive appearances dating to Feb. 24, posting an 11-5-0 record and a League-leading 1.56 goals-against average and .947 save percentage in that span. Raanta, who posted a 20-9-5 record in 39 games with Chicago from 2013-15, improved to 3-1-0 in four games against his former club (1.00 GAA, .968 SV% and 1 SO).

* Hinostroza, a Chicago native, tallied his second career multi-goal game (also Jan. 17, 2017 at COL w/ CHI).

* Clayton Keller (1-1—2) also posted two points in the win. He led the team with 23-42—65 last season, the most points by a rookie in one campaign since the franchise relocated to Arizona.

CLUBS CONTINUE DOMINANCE ON HOME ICE
Captains Steven Stamkos (TBL) and Blake Wheeler (WPG) each contributed on the score sheet as their clubs extended streaks against their opposition:

* Stamkos netted his first goal of the season, the 50th game-winning goal of his career, to lift the Lightning to their 12th consecutive regular-season win against the Red Wings dating to Feb. 3, 2016, equaling their longest winning streak against one opponent in franchise history (also 12-0-0 vs. WPG and PIT). It also marked Tampa Bay’s 12th consecutive regular-season home win against Detroit dating to Dec. 12, 2013 (DET: 0-11-1).

* Wheeler earned an assist on Patrik Laine’s opening goal and Dustin Byfuglien collected 1-2—3 as the Jets posted their seventh consecutive win against the Canucks at Bell MTS Place. Already the franchise leader in assists, Wheeler (173-327—500 in 564 GP) became the second player to record 500 career points for the Jets/Thrashers, joining Ilya Kovalchuk (328-287—615 in 594 GP w/ ATL). Wheeler also had 50-60—110 in 221 games with Boston from 2008-11.

QUICK CLICKS

* Sidney Crosby welcomes back Kenyan hockey captain to see Penguins play
* Big effort from AnthonyDuclair who falls, gets up, scores while falling again

* Matt Duchene family Halloween costume reveals couple is having baby

* NHL.com player poll: Toughest goalie on breakaway

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.