Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

11/25/2021 at 2:46am EST

* Aaron Ekblad scored the overtime winner as the Panthers moved one game closer to making history at home.

* The milestones continue at an astonishing pace for Connor McDavid, who reached 400 career assists in fewer games than any other active player.

* Fellow No. 1 overall pick Alex Ovechkin had three assists and ranks third in NHL scoring this season – the League leader is Leon Draisaitl, who hit the 40-point mark Wednesday.



FLORIDA TIES NHL RECORD FOR LONGEST SEASON-OPENING HOME WIN STREAK

Aaron Ekblad assisted on the tying goal in the third period and potted the overtime winner as the NHL-leading Panthers (14-2-3, 31 points) improved to 11-0-0 at FLA Live Arena in 2021-22.



* Ekblad, who extended his point streak to five games (2-5—7), scored the sixth overtime goal of his NHL career. The only defensemen with more since his debut season in 2014-15 are Brent Burns (9), Seth Jones (8) and Victor Hedman (7).

McDAVID REACHES 400-ASSIST MILESTONE; DRAISAITL HITS 40 POINTS ON THE SEASON
Oilers captain Connor McDavid (2-2—4) eclipsed 400 career assists (209-401–610 in 426 GP) and required the fourth-fewest games in NHL history to reach the milestone.



* Leon Draisaitl, who also had 2-24 Wednesday, reached 20 goals and 40 points on the season (20-20—40 in 19 GP). The only player in franchise history to reach the 20-goal mark in fewer games played than Draisaitl was Wayne Gretzky in 1983-84 (16 GP) – the last player League-wide to do so was Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 (18 GP).

OVECHKIN’S THREE-ASSIST OUTING PROPELS CAPITALS PAST CANADIENS
Alex Ovechkin collected a game-high 0-3—3 as Washington scored at least six goals in a contest for an NHL-leading fourth time in 2021-22 (tied w/ COL).

* The Capitals captain (15-18—33 in 20 GP), known for his goal-scoring prowess, has recorded his most assists through 20 games in a season (besting his 17 during the 2008-09 campaign). Among players to start a season at age 36 or older, only four in NHL history have registered more assists through their first 20 games of a season than Ovechkin.



MORE NOTES FROM 14-GAME SLATE FEATURED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Click here to read Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates, which features many more notes from the 14-game slate. Some highlights include:

* Colorado forward Nazem Kadri (1-1—2) extended his point streak to a career-high 10 games (6-15—21), while teammate Cale Makar scored a goal for a fourth straight contest (6-2—8) and matched the franchise record for longest goal streak by an Avalanche/Nordiques defenseman.

* Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond scored and leads all rookies with 8-12—20 (21 GP) this season. He required the fifth-fewest games among active players who reached 20 career points before age 20, behind only Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

* Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov (25 saves) improved to 7-0-1 through nine appearances in 2021-22 (2.22 GAA, .920 SV%, 3 SO) and became the first goaltender in franchise history to record at least one point in each of his first eight decisions of a season.

* Chris Kreider (15-3—18 in 19 GP) scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season as the Rangers won the first-ever “Battle of New York” game at UBS Arena.



QUICK CLICKS

* Reasons to be thankful shared by NHL.com writers

* Sean Durzi makes NHL debut, scores goal with family in attendance at STAPLES Center

* Stan Fischler thankful for upcoming induction into U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

* Sidney Crosby makes young cancer patient Dian Green’s dream come true
* Turkey Mites back on Capitals ice as part of Thanksgiving tradition



SAVE ROOM FOR HOCKEY ON FRIDAY

After a one-day break in the schedule for U.S. Thanksgiving, play resumes Friday with 26 teams in action. Twelve continuous hours of puck begins at 1 p.m. ET with the 2021 NHL Thanksgiving Showdown between the Rangers and Bruins.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

From breaking news to in-depth stories around the league, KK Hockey is updated with fresh stories all day long and will bring you the latest news as quickly as possible.

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