NHL NEWS JANUARY 30, 2023 – MAPLE LEAFS, HURRICANES EARN WINS IN MILESTONE GAMES FOR TAVARES, BURNS

Toronto (31-12-8, 70 points) and Carolina (32-9-8, 72 points) collected wins as Maple Leafs captain John Tavares (0-2—2) and Hurricanes defenseman Brent Burns (0-1—1) reached the 1,000- and 1,300-game milestone, respectively:

• Tavares became the second player in franchise history to record multiple points while skating in his 1,000th career NHL game, joining Tim Horton (0-2—2 in Nov. 19, 1967). Toronto moved five points ahead of idle Tampa Bay (32-15-1, 65 points), which occupies third place in the Atlantic Division.
• Burns became the fifth player in franchise history to skate in his 1,300th career NHL game with the Hurricanes/Whalers, following Rod Brind’Amour (0-1—1 on Dec. 20, 2007), Glen Wesley (March 27, 2006), Paul Coffey (0-1—1 on Feb. 18, 1999) and Ron Francis (2-3—5 on Feb. 10, 1999). Carolina now trails League-leading Boston (38-7-5, 81 points) by a single-digit point total.

GOALS BY RIELLY, STAAL

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly recorded his first goal of the season and Hurricanes captain Jordan Staal scored the 18th shorthanded goal of his NHL career.

• Rielly’s 21 assists were the second most by a Toronto defenseman before his first goal in a season, behind Jimmy Thomson in 1953-54 (24 before first goal on March 11, 1954).
• Staal’s 18 shorthanded goals rank tied for seventh among active players. His brother, Eric, is tied for fourth place on that list with 19.

SCHEIFELE CAN REACH 30-GOAL MARK IN LONE NHL GAME MONDAY

Mark Scheifele (29-16—45 in 51 GP) can become the League’s ninth 30-goal scorer this season when the Jets (31-19-1, 63 points) host the Blues (23-24-3, 49 points) at Canada Life Centre in each club’s final contest before the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend.

• Scheifele can become the fourth player in Jets/Thrashers franchise history to reach the 30-goal mark in 52 or fewer games, following Ilya Kovalchuk (38 GP in 2007-08, 39 GP in 2005-06 & 43 GP in 2009-10), Marian Hossa (50 GP in 2006-07) and Kyle Connor (52 GP in 2021-22). Four skaters achieved the feat with the original Winnipeg Jets: Dale Hawerchuk (45 GP in 1985-86, 47 GP in 1984-85, 47 GP in 1986-87 & 50 GP in 1987-88), Teemu Selanne (38 GP in 1992-93), Keith Tkachuk (45 GP in 1995-96) and Alexei Zhamnov (47 GP in 1994-95).

Giroux, Nylander and Vasilevskiy Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Ottawa Senators right wing Claude Giroux, Toronto Maple Leafs right wing William Nylander and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 29, 2023.

FIRST STAR – CLAUDE GIROUX, RW, OTTAWA SENATORS

Giroux led the NHL with 4-3—7, recording multiple points in all three of his games to power the Senators (23-23-3, 49 points) to a 3-0-0 week. He collected 1-1—2 in each of his first two outings, a 2-1 victory against the New York Islanders Jan. 25 (featuring his 49th career game-winning goal and third of 2022-23) and a 6-2 triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs Jan. 27. Giroux then registered 2-1—3, his 65th career three-point performance and third of the season (also Nov. 12 at PHI: 0-3—3 and Dec. 3 vs. SJS: 2-1—3), in a 5-0 win versus the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 28. The 35-year-old Giroux – who has multiple points in three straight contests for the 12th time in his career and first time since April 3-8, 2022 (2-4—6 in 3 GP w/ FLA) – is averaging nearly a point per game during his first season with Ottawa, totaling 19-28—47 in 49 appearances.

SECOND STAR – WILLIAM NYLANDER, RW, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Nylander also posted 4-3—7 (in four contests) to propel the Maple Leafs (31-12-8, 70 points) to three wins in four starts. He recorded 2-2—4, all in the second period, in a 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders Jan. 23. Nylander then picked up his 400th career point (in his 488th NHL game) with an assist in a 3-2 overtime win against the New York Rangers Jan. 25. He finished the week with one goal in each of his last two outings, a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators Jan. 27 and a 5-1 triumph over the Washington Capitals Jan. 29. The 26-year-old Nylander, who established career highs in goals (34), assists (46) and points (80) last season (81 GP; 0.99 P/GP), leads Toronto and ranks 14th in the NHL with 28-31—59 through 51 total games in 2022-23 (1.16 P/GP).

THIRD STAR – ANDREI VASILEVSKIY, G, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Vasilevskiy stopped 96 of the 102 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record, 2.00 goals-against average and .941 save percentage to guide the Lightning (32-15-1, 65 points) to a perfect week. He earned his 250th NHL victory (in his 399th appearance) with 33 saves in a 4-2 win against the Minnesota Wild Jan. 24. Vasilevskiy then turned aside 37 shots in a 3-2 triumph over the Boston Bruins Jan. 26 before closing the week with 26 saves in a 5-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings Jan. 28. The 28-year-old Vezina (2018-19) and Conn Smythe (2020-21) Trophy winner, who will be participating in his fifth career NHL All-Star Game this weekend, shares third place in the League with 23 wins in 36 total starts this season (23-12-1, 2.51 GAA, .918 SV%).

Golden Knights’ Stephenson Added to 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend Roster

The National Hockey League announced today that Vegas Golden Knights forward Chandler Stephenson has been added to the roster for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend. Stephenson, who will be making his All-Star Game debut, replaces injured Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers on the Pacific Division roster.

The League’s regular-season schedule will pause from Feb. 2-5 when the world’s top players gather in South Florida for the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend at FLA Live Arena. The midseason showcase will include the 2023 NHL All-Star Skills presented by DraftKings Sportsbook on Friday, Feb. 3 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS) and the 2023 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 4 (3 p.m. ET, ABC, ESPN+, CBC, SN, TVAS).