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Darren Raddysh Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh put up a strong performance in Tampa Bay's win.
23
Dec

NHL DECEMBER 22, 2025 – LIGHTNING LEAN ON RADDYSH’S THREE POINTS, VASILEVSKIY’S 23 SAVES FOR WIN

Darren Raddysh (1-2—3) led the game in scoring and recorded his 100th career point in the Lightning’s victory over the Blues. Andrei Vasilevskiy (23 saves) allowed just one goal in the win and continued his strong 2025 calendar year.

  • Raddysh became the ninth defenseman in Lighting history to record 100 points and required the second-fewest games (206 GP) among that group to reach the mark, behind only Dan Boyle (174 GP).
  • Vasilevskiy (.919 SV%) is currently tied with Darcy Kuemper for the highest save percentage in 2025 (min. 40 GP; including playoffs) – a distinction that was highlighted in the 2025 Year in Review. The Tampa Bay netminder also pushed his regular-season win total to 35 this calendar year, which is tied with Jake Oettinger for the most.

FIRST-YEAR PLAYERS PROPEL CLUBS TO VICTORY

Players skating in their first season with their respective clubs – or first week for Mason Marchment

  • Marchment scored two power-play goals to lift the Blue Jackets to victory. He became the fourth player in franchise history to score in their first two games with the club, joining Luca Del Bel Belluz (2023-24 to 2024-25), Tyler Motte (2017-18) and Scottie Upshall (2010-11). No Columbus player has extended that run to three. Marchment’s three goals are the most by a Blue Jackets player through the first two games with the franchise.
  • Frederick Gaudreau, who is skating in his first campaign with the Kraken, opened the scoring for Seattle before Jordan Eberle netted his 10th multi-goal game with the franchise in its 3-1 win over Anaheim. Mikael Granlund scored the Ducks’ lone goal and matched the franchise benchmark for longest goal streak in their first season with the club (4 GP), tying Chris Kreider (2025-26), Alex Killorn (2023-24) and Bill Houlder (1993-94).
  • Trevor Zegras (0-1—1) was one of the four newcomers to Philadelphia’s lineup this season to find the scoresheet and help the Flyers (18-10-3, 43 points) jump from a Wild Card spot into second in the Metropolitan Division. Zegras, who is tied with Mitch Marner (36) for the most points among players on new teams this season, became the second Philadelphia player in the past 30 years to record an eight-game point streak in his first season with the club, joining Kim Johnsson (8 GP in 2001-02).

FINAL DAY BEFORE HOLIDAY BREAK HAS BLOCKBUSTER NHL ON TNT TRIPLEHEADER

The final slate of games before the three-day holiday break is highlighted by a nearly eight-hour NHL on TNT tripleheader starting with a matinee at Scotiabank Arena. Fans can also tune in to the closer at United Center by watching the Cheap Seats Altcast with the Sklar Brothers on truTV.

  • Moritz Seider and the Atlantic Division-leading Red Wings can enter the hiatus with a three-game winning streak when they duel Jason Robertson and the Stars, who have earned victories in four straight contests since Dec. 15. Seider can become the second Detroit defenseman in the last 20 seasons (since 2006-07) with a three-game goal streak, following Filip Hronek (4 GP from Nov. 17-25, 2022).
  • Trevor Zegras and the Flyers can continue to climb the Metropolitan Division standings when they face Tyler Bertuzzi and the Blackhawks. Tuesday marks the two-year anniversary of when Zegras and sidelined Chicago star Connor Bedard gifted fans with two lacrosse-style goals during the final night of games before the holiday break.
  • Sidney Crosby is set to play his first contest since leapfrogging Mario Lemieux for the franchise points record when the Penguins are pitted against Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs. Crosby needs one assist to overtake Adam Oates (1,079) for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time list.

TUESDAY’S 13-GAME SCHEDULE STACKED WITH SEVERAL MORE STORYLINES

  • Steven Stamkos can score his third straight game-winning goal when the Predators play Quinn Hughes and the Wild on ESPN+ and Hulu. Stamkos would be the third player in franchise history with the winner in three consecutive contests, following Mike Fisher (3 GP from Jan. 23-31, 2012) and Steve Sullivan (3 GP from Jan. 5-9, 2007).
  • Tage Thompson and the Sabres will put their six-game winning streak on the line when they visit Tim Stützle and the Senators, who are 4-0-0 in four contests since Dec. 15. Buffalo can record its first seven-game winning streak since a franchise record-tying 10-0-0 run during Thompson’s first season with the Sabres (Nov. 8-27, 2018).
  • Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon can continue to jockey for the outright lead in the Art Ross Trophy race when the Oilers and Avalanche host the Flames and Mammoth, respectively. McDavid owns an active 10-game point streak, which is two back of the longest this season shared by Nick Suzuki (12 GP from Oct. 9 – Nov. 4) and Kirill Marchenko (12 GP from Oct. 25 – Nov. 17).
  • Matthew Schaefer can become the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach the 10-goal mark when the Islanders host Jack Hughes and the Devils, while fellow No. 1 pick Macklin Celebrini needs two points for the NHL’s most by a teenager entering the holiday break. Schaefer would best the current mark set by Phil Housley (18 years, 320 days on Jan. 23, 1983).
  • David Pastrnak can extend his point streak against Montreal to a dozen contests when the Bruins battle Suzuki and the Canadiens. Pastrnak would be Boston’s third player in the 101-season history of the rivalry with a 12-game run versus Montreal, following Bobby Orr (14 GP from Dec. 21, 1969 – Jan. 22, 1972) and Herb Cain (13 GP from Feb. 7, 1943 – Nov. 18, 1944).
  • The Rangers and Panthers will play their fourth-last games before meeting in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic when they visit the Capitals and Hurricanes, respectively. The two clubs will clash at loanDepot Park in Miami on Jan. 2, which sits at latitude 25.77 degrees north – narrowly eclipsing Miami Arena (+25.78) for the southernmost regular-season contest in NHL history (indoors or outdoors).

Ducks’ Johnston Fined for Roughing

Anaheim Ducks forward Ross Johnston has been fined $2,864.58, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for roughing Seattle Kraken forward Tye Kartye during NHL Game No. 573 in Anaheim on Monday, Dec. 22. The incident occurred at 19:34 of the third period. Johnston was assessed a minor penalty for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

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Guest Writer