McDAVID, DRAISAITL RECORD 60TH POINTS . . .

Oilers teammates Connor McDavid (21-40—61 in 39 GP) and Leon Draisaitl (22-38—60 in 39 GP) combined on two of four Edmonton goals and became the first players to reach the 60-point mark this season.

* McDavid and Draisaitl, who have combined for 134-208—342 dating to the start of 2018-19, became the sixth set of teammates in the past 30 years to each reach the 60-point benchmark before their team’s 40th game of a season.

* The Oilers captain became the 20th player in NHL history to hit the 60-point mark in fewer than 40 games in consecutive seasons (2018-19; 23-38—61 in 39 GP). Wayne Gretzky (8 seasons; 1980-81 to 1987-88) and Jari Kurri (3 seasons; 1983-84 to 1985-86) are the only other Oilers players to reach the 60-point plateau in under 40 contests in consecutive seasons.

* Gretzky actually extended his run to 12 consecutive seasons (1980-81 to 1991-92), with the last four campaigns coming with the Kings.

. . . WHILE EICHEL, OLOFSSON EACH COLLECT ANOTHER POINT IN SABRES WIN
Jack Eichel recorded an assist on Victor Olofsson’s game-winning goal to help the Sabres (17-13-7, 41 points) extend the NHL’s longest active home win streak to five games (5-0-0 dating to Nov. 29).

* Eichel, who missed Buffalo’s game on Dec. 19th due to injury, has now recorded a point in 18 consecutive appearances (16-16—32 in 18 GP). Only one other player in Sabres history has recorded a point in 18 or more consecutive appearances: Gilbert Perreault (18 GP from Oct. 24 – Dec. 4, 1971).

* Olofsson extended his point streak to six games (4-4—8), a feat he also accomplished earlier this season (Nov. 19-29). Only one other Sabres rookie has recorded multiple point streaks of six or more games in a single season; John Tucker recorded two different six-game point streaks as a rookie in 1984-85.

DUCKS SURVIVE BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR WITH ISLANDERS
In a contest that featured 11 combined goals and five game-tying tallies through 60 minutes, Jakob Silfverberg (1-0—1) scored the decisive marker in the third round of the shootout to lift the Ducks over the Islanders in a back-and-forth affair at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

* Saturday’s contest between Anaheim and New York marked the NHL’s fourth of 2019-20 to feature five game-tying goals. The others: Los Angeles and Edmonton (Oct. 5), Tampa Bay and New Jersey (Oct. 30) as well as Florida and the New York Rangers (Nov. 10).

* Only three campaigns in the last 25 years have featured more such contests in a single season: 2018-19 (6), 2010-11 (7) and 1995-96 (6).

* The Ducks have competed in a matchup with five game-tying goals on four other occasions in franchise history: Dec. 9, 2018 (vs. NJD), Feb 16, 2011 (vs. WSH), Feb 16, 2000 (vs. CGY) and Oct. 21, 1999 (at CHI).

* Saturday marked the third time in as many days that two teams combined for at least 11 goals (Dec. 19: MIN at ARI and Dec. 20: DAL at FLA). Additionally, Saturday marked the 24th such instance of 2019-20 and second involving the Ducks (Oct. 29 vs. WPG; 7-4 W).

LAINE, WHEELER SHINE AS JETS CONTINUE TO SOAR UP THE STANDINGS
Patrik Laine (2-0—2) and Blake Wheeler (1-1—2) each posted multi-point outings as the Jets (21-13-2, 44 points) snapped the Wild’s 12-game home point streak and moved within three points of the Avalanche (22-11-3, 47 points) in the Central Division standings. Their 15 wins (15-6-2, 32 points) since Nov. 1 trail only the Capitals (17-4-2) and Blues (16-5-3) for the most among all clubs.

* Laine (21 years, 246 days) scored his fifth goal in six contests to boost his career totals to 123-95—218 in 271 GP (all w/ WPG). Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby are the only active players to have scored more goals than Laine prior to their 22nd birthday.

* Wheeler’s two-point outing boosted his career totals with Winnipeg to 202-414—616 in 675 games and eclipsed Ilya Kovalchuk (328-287—615 in 594 GP) for most by a player in Jets/Thrashers history.

* Wheeler is one of five active players to lead their franchise in points, joining Alex Ovechkin (680-566—1,246 w/ WSH), Patrick Marleau (514-579—1,093 w/ SJS), Mikko Koivu (203-497—700 w/ MIN) and William Karlsson (77-87—164 w/ VGK).

KANE’S 20TH GOAL SPARKS BLACKHAWKS RALLY
Patrick Kane (1-1—2) scored the first of four Chicago third-period tallies to register his 13th consecutive 20-goal season and help the Blackhawks rally from a multi-goal deficit. The 31-year-old forward became the 11th player in NHL history, and second active player, to record 13 consecutive 20-goal seasons to start their career.

* Kane also became the first player in franchise history to begin his NHL career with 13 consecutive 20-goal seasons; StanMikita (14) and BobbyHull (13) are the only other Blackhawks to record as many consecutive 20-goal campaigns at any point in their career.

MATTHEWS’ MULTI-GOAL GAME BOOSTS MAPLE LEAFS

Auston Matthews (2-1—3) and Zach Hyman (2-1—3) each scored twice as the Maple Leafs collected their fourth straight win to leapfrog the Sabres (17-13-7, 41 points) and Canadiens (17-13-6, 40 points) into second place in the Atlantic Division.

* Matthews tallied his 11th and 12th career markers against the Red Wings to tie his highest career total against one franchise (also Montreal and Ottawa). His 26 multi-goal games are the second-most among U.S.-born players through their first four NHL campaigns. The only player with more: Jimmy Carson (31).

AROUND THE RINKS

* Captain Roman Josi scored twice as the Predators extended their point streak to three contests (2-0-1). With three games remaining before his team’s tilt with the Stars at the 2020 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, Josi (6-1—7 in 4 GP) became the second defenseman in franchise history to register a four-game goal streak. The other: Mattias Ekholm (4 GP in 2017-18).

* After tallying a hat trick in each of his last two contests (Dec. 16 and Dec. 20), Noel Acciari was one of four Panthers goal scorers Saturday. Only one player in Panthers history has scored more goals in a three-game span than Acciari (7-2—9 in 3 GP) - Pavel Bure (8 from Feb 10-16, 2001).

* Pierre-Luc Dubois assisted on the game-winning goal as Blue Jackets extended the League’s longest active point streak to seven games (5-0-2). Among players to debut with the franchise, Dubois (59-75—134) trails only Rick Nash (84-58—142 in 200 GP) for the most goals and points through their first 200 career games.

* J.T. Miller (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal to boost his 2019-20 totals to 14-20—34 (37 GP). The 26-year-old forward has collected the second-most points among players acquired during the offseason, trailing only Rangers forward Artemi Panarin (20-24—44 in 34 GP).

QUICK CLICKS

* Fans Elect David Pastrnak, Nathan MacKinnon, Alex Ovechkin and Connor McDavid Division Captains for 2020 Honda NHL All-Star Game

* Phil Kessel seeks boost from playing alongside Taylor Hall with Coyotes

* Jack Eichel blossoming into force for Sabres no surprise to Gilbert Perreault

* Bruins sport Christmas sweaters, suits while entering game vs. Predators

* Captain, Capitals get decked out in holiday spirit

PREVIEW OF TODAY’S ACTION

#NHLSTATS REWIND: DECADE IN REVIEW BEGINS
The NHL Stats and Information team reminisces on memorable moments and achievements of the past decade. The nine-part countdown features a daily theme, beginning with “The Champions” of the 2010s.