NHL December 9 2019 Recap
TKACHUK ECLIPSES 200 CAREER POINTS AS FLAMES EXTEND WIN STREAK
Matthew Tkachuk collected 1-1—2 to eclipse 200 career regular-season points (83-118—201 in 256 GP) and help the Flames improve to 6-0-1 in their last seven games, including five consecutive wins.
Tkachuk (Scottsdale, Ariz.) became the ninth U.S.-born player in NHL history to record 200 career regular-season points before his 22nd birthday – which he is set to celebrate tomorrow.
ISLANDERS ESTABLISH FRANCHISE RECORD FOR FEWEST GAMES TO 20 WINS
Josh Bailey (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal while shorthanded as the Islanders reached the 20-win mark in their 29th contest of the season (20-7-2, 42 points). New York established a franchise record for fewest games to reach 20 wins.
The Islanders, who occupy second place in the Metropolitan Division standings, own their second-highest point total through 29 games in a season behind 1978-79 (18-4-7, 43 points).
PAGEAU, ATKINSON GUIDE RESPECTIVE TEAMS PAST INTRADIVISION LEADERS
Senators forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau (1-0—1) and Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson (2-0—2) each scored at least once to guide their respective teams past intradivision leaders:
Pageau scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season (16-7—23 in 31 GP) to help the Senators earn their first win against the Atlantic Division-leading Bruins since Game 6 of the 2017 First Round (3-2 OT W), snapping a 10-game slide (0-9-1). Pageau has scored 13 goals since Nov. 1 – tied for the most among all players over that span.
Pageau scored his 13th career shorthanded goal in the regular season and tied Antoine Vermette for fourth place on the franchise’s all-time list, trailing Daniel Alfredsson (25), Zack Smith (14) and Mike Fisher (14).
Atkinson, meanwhile, scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets past the League-leading Capitals. He has scored three times over his last three games (3-0—3) after recording four goals through his first 27 outings of the season (4-11—15).
Atkinson (7-11—18 in 30 GP) can become the ninth player in NHL history listed as 5’8” or shorter to reach the 20-goal mark in at least seven consecutive seasons.
PREVIEW OF TODAY’S ACTION – JARRY CAN EXTEND SHUTOUT STREAK AS PENGUINS HOST CANADIENS
Tristan Jarry, who has not allowed a goal against since the second period on Nov. 29 (5-2 L at CBJ), can extend his shutout streak should he make an appearance when the Penguins host the Canadiens at PPG Paints Arena. Jarry (144:51) owns the sixth-longest shutout streak in the regular season by a Pittsburgh goaltender.
Jarry can become the eighth different goaltender in NHL history age 24 or younger with a shutout in three or more consecutive appearances within a regular season or playoffs (age based at start of streak), a feat last achieved by Columbus’ Steve Mason from Dec. 27-31, 2008.
The Penguins are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games at PPG Paints Arena. Pittsburgh has recorded at least one point in 11 or more consecutive home games 12 times in franchise history, most recently from Jan. 7 – Feb. 17, 2018 (11-0-0).
EICHEL, MILLER ALSO PUT STREAKS ON THE LINE
U.S. National Team Development Program alumni Jack Eichel (10-13—23 in 13 GP) and J.T. Miller (5-6—11 in 8 GP) also put streaks on the line Tuesday:
Eichel looks to extend his career-high point streak to 14 games when the Sabres host the Blues at KeyBank Center. Eichel can become the seventh different player in franchise history with a point streak of 14 or more games and first since Tim Connolly from Dec. 23, 2009 – Jan. 25, 2010 (7-18—25 in 16 GP).
Miller can extend his career-high point streak to nine games when Canucks welcome the Maple Leafs to Rogers Arena. Miller, who was acquired by Vancouver on June 22, can become the first player with a point streak of at least nine games while skating in their first season with the franchise since Mark Messier from Oct. 30 – Nov. 20, 1997 (5-9—14 in 10 GP).