KUCHEROV’S CAREER NIGHT POWERS LIGHTNING INTO HOLIDAY BREAK
Nikita Kucherov (1-4—5) posted his first-career five-point outing as the League-leading Lightning (28-7-2, 58 points) improved to 10-0-1 in the month of December. The 2018-19 campaign marks the second time in franchise history and second in as many seasons in which Tampa Bay will enter the NHL’s Holiday Break atop the League standings.

* With three games remaining in December, the Lightning aim to finish a full calendar month without a regulation loss for just the second time in franchise history (Oct. 2003: 6-0-1). The last team to go a full calendar month without a regulation loss was the Blue Jackets in December of 2016 (14-0-0) en route to recording the second-longest winning streak in NHL history (16-0-0 from Nov. 29 - Jan. 3, 2017).

* Kucherov marked the 12th time in Lightning franchise history a player has recorded five or more points in a game and the fourth time in the calendar year 2018, joining teammates Alex Killorn (2-3—5 on Feb. 1 at CGY), Steven Stamkos (2-3—5 on March 3 vs. PHI) and Brayden Point(1-4—5 on Oct. 30 vs. NJD).

* Stamkos (2-0—2) notched his 10th career 20-goal campaign to match Martin St. Louis (10) for the second-most in team history, trailing only Vincent Lecavalier (12). Stamkos matched St. Louis in 20-goal seasons just two days (Dec. 20) after he netted his 366th regular-season goal to surpass St. Louis (365 in 972 GP) for sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time goals list.

McDAVID ADDS 200 ASSISTS TO MILESTONE COLLECTION
Connor McDavid registered 0-3—3 to surpass 200 career assists, the third major milestone he has reached this season after hitting 100 goals (Nov. 20 at SJS) and 300 points (Dec. 13 at WPG) earlier in the campaign. The Oilers captain has now posted multiple points in 40% of his games this season (14 of 35).

* McDavid joins elite company yet again as he became the sixth player in NHL history to reach 200 assists before his 22nd birthday and the fifth youngest player to do so.

* Of those players, Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux and Dale Hawerchuk join McDavid (106-202—308 in 244 GP) as the only players to reach 100 goals, 200 assists AND 300 points all before their 22nd birthday.

* McDavid, skating in his 35th contest this season (19-33—52), reached the 50-point mark in the fewest games of his career. Additionally, his 2018-19 campaign marked the fastest instance of an Oilers player collecting at least 50 points since Mark Messier in 1989-90 (35 GP).

BERGERON BECOMES SIXTH BRUIN TO REACH 300 GOALS

Patrice Bergeron recorded 2-2—4 to reach the 300-goal milestone. In doing so, he became the sixth player in franchise history to score 300 goals for the franchise.

* Bergeron is one of three current members of an Original Six team to rank in the top 10 of his franchise’s all-time goals list, joining Blackhawks teammates Patrick Kane (5th; 329 G) and Jonathan Toews (6th; 308 G).

* Bergeron has now recorded 11-19—30 through his first 20 appearances this season. There are only five other instances since 1980-81 of a Bruinsplayer recording 30 or more points in his first 20 appearances of a season. The others: Ray Bourque (1989-90), Adam Oates (1992-93, 1993-94 and 1995-96) and Joe Thornton (2005-06).

* Only one player this season recorded more points through his first 20 appearances - current League leader Mikko Rantanen posted 8-24—32 in his first 20 games of 2018-19.

DAHLIN REACHES 20-POINT MARK IN SABRES WIN
Rasmus Dahlin (4-16—20) opened the scoring in the first period with a power-play goal to reach the 20-point mark in 2018-19. The first-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft joined Vancouver’s Elias Pettersson (17-19—36) and Ottawa’s Colin White (9-14—23) as the third rookie to record at least 20 points this season.

* Dahlin became the 10th blueliner in NHL history to record at least 20 points prior to his 19th birthday and first since Aaron Ekblad did so in 2014-15. Dahlin’s head coach, Phil Housley, collected 17-40—57 in 1982-83 with the Sabres; a mark that stands as the highest point total by a defenseman before his 19th birthday.

* Among Sabres rookie defensemen, regardless of age, Dahlin required the fourth fewest games to reach the 20-point milestone. The only players to accomplish the feat in fewer games were Housley (28 GP in 1982-83), Richard Smehlik (32 GP in 1992-93) and Calle Johansson (31 GP in 1987-88).

MARNER’S MULTI-POINT OUTING LIFTS MAPLE LEAFS TO 50TH POINT

Mitch Marner (2-1—3) posted his second three-point outing in as many contests to reach the 50-point mark (12-38—50) and propel the Maple Leafs(24-10-2, 50 points) to another victory at Scotiabank Arena, where they have collected a point in nine straight contests dating to Nov. 6 (8-0-1).

* Toronto recorded its 50th point by the 36th contest of a season for the first time since 2003-04 (36 GP), one game shy of the fastest season to 50 points in franchise history (1946-47: 35 GP).

* Marner, who also posted consecutive three-point outings on Nov. 26 and Nov. 28, is one of five players in 2018-19 to reach 50 points. The others: Mikko Rantanen (16-43—59), Nathan MacKinnon (22-34—56), Nikita Kucherov (16-41—57) and McDavid (19-33—52).

* Marner became the sixth different player in Maple Leafs franchise history to record his 50th point in 36 team games or fewer and first since Mats Sundin in the 1996-97 season.

* Morgan Rielly (1-1—2) recorded his third multi-point outing in his last four contests to extend his scoring lead among defensemen (12-30—42). Rielly can join Bryan McCabe (2005-06) and Borje Salming (1976-77 and 1977-78) as the only Leafs defenders in the League’s expansion era (since 1967-68) to lead all other blueliners in scoring on Dec. 25.

* Frederik Andersen (20-9-1) made 25 saves to join Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury (20-10-3) as the only netminders to post 20 victories in 2018-19. Additionally, he became the third goaltender in franchise history to register 20 wins through his first 30 appearances of a season, joining George Hainsworth (28 GP in 1934-35) and Turk Broda (30 GP in 1946-47).

CROSBY FACTORS ON ALL THREE PENGUINS GOALS

Sidney Crosby (0-3—3) had a hand in all three Penguins goals and Matt Murray made 39 saves to earn his eighth career shutout as Pittsburgh earned its third straight win and improved to 7-2-1 in its last 10 contests.

* Crosby factored on every Penguins goal in a game for the 105th time in his career. Only one other player in franchise history has done so in more than 100 games: Mario Lemieux (109).

* Saturday marked the 132nd time that Crosby has recorded three or more points in a game, the most among active players and 22 more than the next closest active skater (Joe Thornton: 110).

NORTH POLE NATIVE EARNS FIRST CAREER SHUTOUT

Capitals goaltender Phoenix Copley – a native of North Pole, Alaska – made 35 saves to post his first career shutout on Saturday in Washington’s final game before Christmas. With the win, Copley improved to 8-2-1 this season with a 2.67 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.

* North Pole is a small city in the Fairbanks North Star Borough of Alaska with a population of 2,101. The city is a tourist attraction known for its year-round celebration of Christmas and festive street names such as Santa Claus Lane and Saint Nicholas Drive.

STOCKING STUFFERS

A collection of quick hit notes and stats from Saturday’s action:

* Mikko Rantanen collected an assist to boost his totals to 16-43—59 to match the highest point total by an Avalanche player before the NHL holiday break since the club relocated to Denver (also Peter Forsberg: 14-45—59 in 1995-96). In fact, Peter Stastny (23-40—63) and Marian Stastny (27-33—60) are the only players in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history to have reached the 60-point mark prior to Dec. 25.

* Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau (0-2—2) recorded his 16th multi-point game of the season (34 GP) – the most multi-point performances before Christmas by any player in Panthers franchise history. He registered 17 multi-point outings in all of 2017-18 (82 GP).

* Canadiens forward Phillip Danault netted his first career hat trick and the first by a Montreal player this season. He is the fifth different Canadiens skater to score three or more goals in a game since 2015-16.

* Kings forward Ilya Kovalchuk (2-0—2) recorded his first multi-goal game since March 9, 2013 at CAR and his first overtime goal since Jan. 25, 2013 vs. WSH. He is one of eight NHL players with 15 or more career overtime goals.

QUICK CLICKS

* Roberto Luongo, Jonathan Huberdeau help Panthers edge Red Wings

* Hurricanes set to honor Hartford heritage at Whalers Night

* 2019 World Junior Championship Group A preview

* Seattle NHL expansion team latest chapter in city's rich hockey history

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION

Thanks to the NHL PR Department for the information above.