* Vancouver’s leading scorer (22-20—42) collected his seventh game-winning goal of the season to establish a Canucks single-season record for the most such goals by a rookie, besting Pavel Bure’s mark set in 1991-92 (6). He now sits tied with Colorado’s Gabriel Landeskog (7) for the most game-winning goals in the NHL this season.

* Only seven rookies in NHL history have recorded more than seven game-winning goals in a single season, paced by Steve Larmer and Marek Svatos, who each tallied nine such goals in 1982-83 and 2005-06, respectively.

* Pettersson became the 53rd player in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) and fifth active skater to accumulate at least 40 career points within their first 40 NHL games (spanning seasons or otherwise). Additionally, only six other active players have recorded their 20th goal within their first 40 career games.

HEISKANEN ALSO SHINES AFTER FIRST ALL-STAR SELECTION

Stars rookie defenseman Miro Heiskanen (2-0—2) scored twice, including the game-winning tally in the third period, to record his second multi-goal outing of 2018-19.

* Heiskanen became the first rookie defenseman to record multiple games with two or more goals in a season since his current teammate, John Klingberg, also had two such outings in 2014-15. In addition to Klingberg, the only other rookie defenseman in Stars/North Stars history to post multiple two-goal outings in a season was Brad Maxwell in 1977-78.

* At 19 years of age, Heiskanen improved his season totals to 9-10—19 in 41 GP, the most points in a season by a teenage defenseman inStars/North Stars history, besting the previous mark set by Doug Hicks in 1974-75 (6-12—18 in 80 GP).

* Heiskanen ranks first among rookie defensemen in goals (9) and sits one point back of Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin (4-16—20 in 40 GP) for most points by a rookie blueliner in 2018-19.

GAUDREAU POSTS ANOTHER FOUR-POINT OUTING
Johnny Gaudreau (1-3—4) posted his fourth four-point outing of the season and second in as many outings to propel the Flames (25-12-4, 54 points) into first place in the Western Conference standings. He has now posted 10 multi-point games in his last 15 appearances.

* Gaudreau, who joins teammate Matthew Tkachuk as the only NHL players with four four-point outings this season, became the third different player in Flames franchise history to record four or more points in consecutive team games.



* Skating in his first season with the Flames, Elias Lindholm posted 1-2—3 for the second time in as many contests (also Dec. 31 vs. SJS) to boost his season totals to a career-best 19-28—47 in 41 GP, eclipsing his previous high set in 2016-17 with Carolina (11-34—45 in 72 GP).

CROSBY COLLECTS ANOTHER MULTI-POINT OUTING AS PENGUINS EXTEND STREAK

Sidney Crosby (1-1—2) was one of six Penguins players to post a multi-point outing as Pittsburgh (22-12-6, 50 points) extended the League’s longest active win streak to seven contests and moved within one point of Washington (24-11-3, 51 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

* When the Penguins’ streak began on Dec. 19 (2-1 W at WSH), they sat fourth in the Metropolitan Division and five points back of the aforementioned Capitals. No other club has collected more wins or points than Pittsburgh over that span.

* Crosby matched a career best with multiple points in each of his last five outings, a feat he’s accomplished on three other occasions: (5 GP from Jan. 5-17, 2018, Nov. 24 - Dec. 2, 2017 and Nov. 5-13, 2010).

* Matt Murray (28 saves) improved to 8-0-0 (including playoffs) against the Rangers to begin his career and became the ninth different goalie in NHL history to begin his career (regular season and playoffs) with eight or more consecutive wins against any opponent; a list led by Pete Peeters(13-0-0 vs. DET).

MACKINNON, MCDAVID JOIN THE 60-POINT CLUB

* Nathan MacKinnon (24-36—60) joined teammate Mikko Rantanen (19-46—65) as the second Avalanche player to reach the 60-point mark this season. MacKinnon and Rantanen, the only teammates with at least 60 points in 2018-19, became the third set of teammates since teams began playing an 82-game schedule in 1995-96 to each hit the 60-point marker through 41 team games.

* Connor McDavid (2-1—3) recorded three points or more for the seventh time this season to become the fourth player to hit the 60-point mark in 2018-19 (23-38—61 in 39 GP). McDavid is the sixth different player in Oilers franchise history to record 60 points through 39 or fewer appearances and first since Mark Messier (22-38—60 in 39 GP) reached the 60-point mark in the 1989-90 season.

QUICK CLICKS

* Nikita Kucherov, Johnny Gaudreau, Connor McDavid named Three Stars for December

* NHL Winter Classic leaving legacy at Notre Dame

*Evgeni Malkin writes message on skates honoring hometown affected by explosion

* Sabres owner Kim Pegula joins 'Executive Suite' podcast

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

MAPLE LEAFS HOST NEXT GENERATION GAME

The Maple Leafs will take part in the Next Generation Game presented by Scotiabank when they host the Wild in an afternoon contest at Scotiabank Arena. The game is a celebration for fans of all ages with a strong focus on youth and the future of hockey, both on and off the ice.

* Auston Matthews (19-16—35 in 25 GP) looks to record his 20th goal of the season and would become the fifth different Maple Leafs player in the modern era (since 1943-44) to reach 20 goals in 26 or fewer appearances, joining Wendel Clark (20 GP in 1993-94), Lanny McDonald (26 GP in 1977-78 and 26 GP in 1976-77), Sweeney Schriner (24 GP in 1944-45) and Frank Mahovlich (26 GP in 1960-61).

LIGHTNING LOOK TO EXTEND POINT STREAK INTO NEW YEAR

The League-leading Lightning (31-7-2, 64 points) visit the Kings at Staples Center after completing a full calendar month without a regulation loss for the second time in franchise history (13-0-1 in Dec. 2018) - a streak which also includes at least a point in each of their last 15 games dating to Nov. 29 (14-0-1).

* Only four different teams have posted a point streak of 16 or more games over the past ten seasons: Bruins (18 GP in 2017-18, 16 GP in 2013-14), Blue Jackets (18 GP in 2016-17), Blackhawks (24 GP in 2012-13) and Canucks (17 GP in 2010-11).

OVECHKIN CONTINUES SEARCH FOR ANOTHER 30-GOAL SEASON
Alex Ovechkin (29-16—45) looks to halt a six-game goalless skid when the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals (24-11-3, 51 points) travel to Enterprise Center to face the Blues.

* Ovechkin, a seven-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner, sits one tally shy of his 14th career 30-goal campaign and can join Mike Gartner(15) as just second player in NHL history to score at least 30 goals in each of his first 14 seasons. The two players closest to Ovechkin in the goals race are also in action on Thursday: Toronto’s John Tavares (26 G) and Buffalo’s Jeff Skinner (26 G).

thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above