NHL NEWS NOVEMBER 11, 2022 – McAVOY, ULLMARK HELP BRUINS MATCH FRANCHISE RECORD WITH ANOTHER HOME WIN

Charlie McAvoy scored the game winner in his season debut and Linus Ullmark made 31 saves to help the Eastern Conference-leading Bruins (12-2-0, 24 points) defeat the Flames and keep pace with the Golden Knights. Boston improved to 8-0-0 at TD Garden in 2022-23 and matched its franchise record for longest season-opening home winning streak, first established nearly 40 years ago (8-0-0 in 1983-84).

• Ullmark moved to 10-1-0 in 12 appearances this season and became the first NHL goaltender to reach the 10-win mark in 2022-23. He also became the fifth netminder in club history to reach 10 victories during a campaign in 11 decisions, joining Tuukka Rask (2016-17), Tim Thomas (2010-11), Gerry Cheevers (1976-77) and Ross Brooks (1973-74).

ANOTHER GAME, ANOTHER WIN FOR VEGAS AND NEW JERSEY

The Golden Knights (13-2-0, 26 points) and Devils (11-3-0, 22 points) each skated to victories Thursday to extend the League’s longest active winning streaks to nine and eight games, respectively:

• Jack Eichel (3-1—4) scored a third-period hat trick against his former team to help League-leading Vegas sweep its five-game road trip and improve to 9-0-0 in its last nine contests. Eichel became the fifth former Sabres player with a hat trick against Buffalo, joining Tyler Ennis (Jan. 25, 2022), Ray Sheppard (Nov. 26, 1996), Pierre Turgeon (Jan. 6, 1996) and Tony McKegney (Feb. 24, 1987).
• Nico Hischier (2-0—2) deflected Dougie Hamilton’s shot past Senators goaltender Anton Forsberg with 32.1 seconds remaining in overtime as New Jersey extended its winning streak to eight games, with each of the last four being earned in come-from-behind fashion. The Devils’ four straight comeback victories are tied for the longest such stretch in franchise history (also 4 GP from March 6-13, 2001; Jan. 5-11, 2000; & Feb. 28–March 5, 1994).
• Prior to puck drop Thursday, Hamilton met and embraced nine-year-old Alex Alvarez who is currently battling cancer. New Jersey is set to host its Hockey Fights Cancer Night at Prudential Center later this month on Nov. 21.

HIGH-SCORING NIGHT IN THE METRO: HURRICANES, RANGERS COMBINE FOR 15

The Hurricanes (9-4-1, 19 points) and Rangers (7-5-3, 17 points) piled on seven and eight goals, respectively, en route to wins Thursday:

• Andrei Svechnikov recorded the second regular-season hat trick of his NHL career (also Oct. 20, 2022) – both of which have come against the Oilers – to improve his stat line to 11-6—17 (14 GP) in 2022-23. Svechnikov (100-126—226 in 297 GP) ranks third in the NHL with 11 markers this season and became the third player in Hurricanes team history (since 1997-98) to record 100 career goals prior to his 23rd birthday, joining Sebastian Aho (121) and Jeff Skinner (115).
• Cheered on by their fathers at Little Caesars Arena, the Rangers erupted for six third-period goals – including four in a span of 2:57 –
  en route to an 8-2 victory against the Red Wings. New York scored eight goals in a contest versus Detroit for the first time since Dec. 23, 1985 (10-2 W) and was led in scoring by Adam Fox (1-3—4), who recorded four points in a regular-season game for the second time in his NHL career (also 0-5—5 on March 25, 2021). Only Brian Leetch (14 GP), Brad Park (9 GP), Ron Greschner (6 GP) and Carol Vadnais (3 GP) have more four-point outings among Rangers defensemen.

ATKINSON’S FORCE NETWORK FUND: SUPPORTING MILITARY FAMILIES

As the NHL prepares to commemorate Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we recognize the work that Flyers forward Cam Atkinson does to support military families and first responders through his Force Network Fund. Atkinson created the foundation alongside his uncle, Rob, fueled by the motto: “Serving Those Who Protect Us.”

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTED BY HOCKEY HALL OF FAME GAME IN TORONTO

Eight NHL teams are in action Friday, including the Maple Leafs (7-4-3, 17 points) and Penguins (5-6-2, 12 points) during the annual Hockey Hall of Fame Game at Scotiabank Arena. The contest is part of the 2022 Induction Weekend celebrations, which are set to conclude Monday when Daniel Alfredsson, Roberto Luongo, Riikka Sallinen, Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and the late Herb Carnegie are officially inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Several streaks are also on the line during Friday’s three stateside contests:

• The Kraken (8-4-2, 18 points) can extend their franchise-record winning streak to six games when they welcome the Wild (6-6-1, 13 points) to Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle has outscored opponents by a combined 20-8 margin during its five-game run, which includes a 4-0 road win against Minnesota on Nov. 3.
• Nikita Kucherov (6-14—20 in 11 GP) can match his career high for longest point streak when Tampa Bay (7-5-1, 15 points) visits Washington (6-7-2, 14 points) at Capital One Arena. Kucherov’s 11-game run is tied for the longest point streak in the NHL this season.
• Jason Robertson (7-5—12 in 6 GP) can stretch his career-high goal streak to seven games when Dallas (8-4-1, 17 points) hosts San Jose (3-9-3, 9 points) at American Airlines Center. Robertson’s six-game run is tied for the longest goal streak in Stars team history (since 1993-94).

RED WINGS ASSIGN GIVANI SMITH TO GRIFFINS

The Detroit Red Wings have assigned right wing Givani Smith to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins.

Smith, 24, has skated in two games with the Red Wings during the 2022-23 season, recording three shots and four hits in 9:57 average time on ice. The 6-foot-2, 214-pound forward has also picked up two points (1-1-2) and four penalty minutes in seven appearances with the Griffins. Smith spent the entire 2021-22 season with the Red Wings, logging seven points (4-3-7) and a team-high 108 penalty minutes in 46 games. He became the first Detroit skater to compile more than 100 penalty minutes in a single season since Justin Abdelkader accumulated 120 penalty minutes in 2015-16. In total, Smith has registered 14 points (7-7-14) and 138 penalty minutes in 85 NHL games with Detroit and 49 points (25-24-49) and 221 penalty minutes in 136 AHL contests for Grand Rapids.

NHL, NHLPA Statement on World Cup of Hockey

The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) has released the following statement regarding the World Cup of Hockey:

“Over the last year, the NHL and the NHLPA have been working on plans to conduct the next World Cup of Hockey, the premier international best-on-best hockey tournament, in February 2024. Unfortunately, in the current environment it is not feasible to hold the World Cup of Hockey at that time. We continue to plan for the next World Cup of Hockey, hopefully in February 2025.”