DEVILS, BRUINS EXTEND LENGTHY WINNING STREAKS, REACH 20 VICTORIES
The League-leading Devils (20-4-1, 41 points) and second-place Bruins (20-3-0, 40 points) stretched their road and home winning streaks, respectively, and became the first teams to reach 20 victories this season:

* Jack Hughes had the decisive goal as New Jersey improved to 11-0-0 in its last 11 games as visitors and established afranchise record for longest road winning streak, eclipsing the previous mark of 10 contests set from Feb. 27 to April 7, 2001. The Devils became the third team in NHL history with an 11-game road winning streak, joining the Wild (12-0-0 from Feb. 18–April 9, 2015) and Red Wings (12-0-0 from March 1–April 15, 2006).

* New Jersey (25 GP) also set club benchmarks for fewest games to reach 20 wins and 40 points in a season, besting its previous mark of 28 contests from 2009-10 (20-7-1, 41 points).

* David Pastrnak (2-0—2) and Trent Frederic (2-0—2) combined for four goals as Boston extended the longest season-opening home winning streak in League history to 14 games. The Bruins also improved to 21-0-0 in their last 21 contests at TD Garden dating to April 16 (spanning seasons, including playoffs) and now own the longest such home winning streak in franchise history.

* Boston (23 GP), which has played two fewer games than New Jersey this season, matched its franchise benchmarks for fewest contests to reach the 20-win and 40-point mark (also 23 GP in 1929-30). The only other team in NHL history to reach 20 victories in 23 games was the Blackhawks in 2012-13.

McDAVID, DRAISAITL CATAPULT OILERS WITH MATCHING FOUR-POINT PERFORMANCES
Connor McDavid (2-2—4) and Leon Draisaitl (1-3—4) each posted four points in the same game for the ninth time as the Oilers (14-11-0, 28 points) captured their fourth win in five contests. The duo combined on three of Edmonton’s goals Saturday and 26 overall in 2022-23 – seven more than the next closest teammates: Jason Roberton and Joe Pavelski (19), Robertson and Roope Hintz (19), Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov (19) as well as Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel (19).

* McDavid (21-26—47 in 25 GP) moved within one goal of Jason Robertson (22-17—39 in 24 GP) for the NHL lead and reached the 20-goal mark within his first 25 games of a season for the first time in his career after the latter did so Dec. 1 (24 GP). The 2022-23 season is just the fifth since 2000-01 to feature multiple players reach the 20-goal mark in 25 outings or fewer: 2021-22 (Draisaitl: 19 GP & Alex Ovechkin: 25 GP), 2013-14 (Ovechkin: 22 GP & Alexander Steen: 24 GP), 2009-10 (Ovechkin: 22 GP & Marian Gaborik: 25 GP) and 2005-06 (Simon Gagne: 19 GP, Daniel Alfredsson: 22 GP & Jaromir Jagr: 24 GP).

COLLECTION OF VETERANS CELEBRATE MAJOR MILESTONES
While Patrick Kane (1-2—3), Alex Ovechkin and Corey Perry (0-2—2) attained notable milestones, Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (0-1—1) was celebrated in a pre-game ceremony for recently reaching the 1,000-point mark.

* Kane (434-766—1,200 in 1,130 GP) factored on three Chicago power-play goals to become the second player in Blackhawks history to reach the 1,200-point benchmark. While he joined Sidney Crosby (530-912—1,442 in 1,133 GP) and Ovechkin (793-642—1,435 in 1,300 GP) as just the third active player to reach the mark, he also joined elite company among U.S.-born players.

* Ovechkin became the 14th player in NHL history, and first active, to skate in 1,300 regular-season contests with one franchise – Gordie Howe owns the benchmark with 1,687 games played with the Red Wings.

* Despite Mitchell Marner (2-0—2) establishing a Maple Leafs record for longest point streak, Perry factored on two goals in his 1,200th career game and Stamkos collected an assist as Tampa Bay defeated Toronto on the same night it honored the Lightning captain for hitting 1,000 points with the franchise on Dec. 1. Perry (408-460—868) became the eighth active player to skate in as many contests and the 19th in NHL history with 1,200 games, 400 goals and 1,200 penalty minutes.

* ICYMI: Six-year-old Lightning fan Tripp Nugent, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in September, served as the team’s honorary captain after being signed to a one-day contract. He took in the morning skate with Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper and received a standing ovation at AMALIE Arena ahead of the game.

Photo via @TBLightning

AROUND THE RINKS

* Kirill Kaprizov (1-0—1) scored one of four game-tying goals in the contest to extend his point streak to 11 games (7-11—18). He now trails only Mikael Granlund (12 GP in 2016-17) and Kevin Fiala (12 GP in 2021-22) for the longest in Wild history.

* Kasperi Kapanen (3-0—3) scored his second game-winning goal in as many games and his second career hat trick, following a three-goal performance with the Penguins on Nov. 6, 2021 (3-0—3 vs. MIN). His father, Sami Kapanen, netted three regular-season hat tricks in his career (Nov. 12, 1997, March 15, 1998 & Nov. 27, 2001).

* Carter Verhaeghe scored twice in a 26-second span to help the Panthers snap the Kraken’s winning streak at seven games. He became the fourth player in franchise history to score two goals in 26 seconds or less, joining Viktor Kozlov (0:07 on Feb. 10, 2004), Colton Sceviour (0:23 on March 30, 2016) and Jonathan Marchessault (0:26 on March 23, 2017).

* Brock Boeser netted a game-tying tally with 8:12 remaining in regulation while Bo Horvat (19-7—26 in 25 GP) scored the overtime winner to reach 19 goals this season and lift the Canucks to victory on Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Rogers Arena.

* Hurricanes netminder Pyotr Kochetkov (31 saves) improved to 8-1-3 through his first 10 career starts. Only six goaltenders in NHL history have recorded more wins through their first 10 NHL starts: IgorShesterkin (9 w/ NYR), Viktor Fasth (9 w/ ANA), Martin Prusek (9 w/ OTT), Bob Froese (9 w/ PHI), Wayne Thomas (9 w/ MTL) and Frank Brimsek (9 w/ BOS).

QUICK CLICKS

* Saturday Edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates
* Zdeno Chara joins fellow Bruins icon Ray Bourque for spin on ice in charity game

* Penguins show full Winter Classic look featuring slick yellow helmets
* Mike White, NFL quarterback, joins 'NHL Fantasy on Ice' podcast

* Val Fonteyne 'can't explain' NHL record of 188 straight games without penalty

NHL’S GOAL LEADER RETURNS TO THE ICE ON FIVE-GAME SUNDAY
Jason Robertson (20-12—32 in 17 GP) will look to extend his point streak to 18 games as the Stars (14-6-4, 32 points) aim to maintain their positioning atop the Central Division standings during a five-game Sunday. Dallas has netted 93 goals this season (including shootout-deciding goals) – tied with Boston and New Jersey for the most among all teams.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.