NHL NEWS NOVEMBER 7, 2022 – TAVARES TALLIES WINNER AS TORONTO SWEEPS WEEKEND BACK-TO-BACK

John Tavares (399-511—910 in 962 GP) scored the game winner at 8:24 of the third period to reach 399 goals in his NHL career and help the Maple Leafs improve to 3-0-0 in their last three contests, which included a 2-1 victory versus Boston on Saturday. The Hurricanes (8-2-1, 17 points on Nov. 6) and Bruins (10-1-0, 20 points on Nov. 5) entered their game against the Maple Leafs this weekend with points percentages of .773 and .909, respectively.

• Toronto became the eighth team in NHL history to sweep a back-to-back at this stage of a season (min. 10 GP) versus opponents which had a points percentage of .750 or higher entering play. The Maple Leafs joined the 2019-20 Coyotes (Nov. 11-12), 2014-15 Islanders (Nov. 21-22), 2009-10 Islanders (Oct. 30-31), 1991-92 Oilers (Oct. 26-27), 1978-79 Islanders (Nov. 11-12), 1971-72 Red Wings (Nov. 27-28) and 1970-71 Rangers (March 27-28).

SEIDER HELPS DETROIT DIG OUT OF MULTI-GOAL DEFICIT EN ROUTE TO OVERTIME WIN

Moritz Seider (0-2—2) led all players with two points, including an assist on the overtime winner by Dominik Kubalik, as the Red Wings rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Rangers in the 600th all-time head-to-head game between the Original Six franchises.

• Seider (7-48—55 in 94 GP) reached 55 points in his NHL career. The only defensemen in franchise history with more prior to their 100th career NHL game are Nicklas Lidstrom (12-58—70 in 99 GP), Reed Larson (21-47—68 in 99 GP) and Yves Racine (11-51—62 in 99 GP).

MONTOUR MATCHES FRANCHISE RECORD WITH FOUR POINTS AGAINST FORMER CLUB

Brandon Montour (4-8—12 in 11 GP) had 1-3—4 versus his former team to eclipse the 10-point mark this season and tie the single-game franchise record for points by a Panthers defenseman. Montour became the third blueliner with a four-point game in 2022-23, joining San Jose’s Erik Karlsson (3-1—4 on Nov. 1) and Boston’s Hampus Lindholm (1-3—4 on Nov. 1).

• Montour recorded the second four-point game of his NHL career. His first was nearly four years ago as a member of the Ducks (1-3—4 on Dec. 12, 2018).

OILERS CAPTAIN McDAVID SET TO REACH 500-GAME MILESTONE MONDAY

Connor McDavid is set to skate in the 500th game of his NHL career as the Oilers (7-5-0, 14 points) visit fellow No. 1 pick Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals (5-6-2, 12 points) during Monday’s slate.

• McDavid (251-471—722 in 499 GP) trails former Edmonton forward Jari Kurri (339-391—730 in 500 GP) for the fifth highest point total in League history by a player through 500 career contests. McDavid will own the most points among active NHL players through game No. 500, eclipsing Sidney Crosby (253-453—706 in 500 GP) and Ovechkin (309-324—633 in 500 GP) who reached the milestone on Dec. 5, 2013 and Dec. 3, 2011, respectively.
• McDavid (12-13—25 in 12 GP) leads the League in scoring this season and became the fastest NHL player to reach the 25-point mark since teammate Leon Draisaitl in 2021-22 (12-14—26 in 12 GP). The last players to record 25 points in a season in 12 games or fewer prior to McDavid and Draisaitl were Carolina’s Eric Staal (11-14—25 in 12 GP) and Philadelphia’s Peter Forsberg (4-21—25 in 12 GP) in 2005-06.
• McDavid has amassed 5-8—13 in nine career games against Ovechkin, with the Oilers going 4-4-1 (9 points) in those contests (WSH: 5-2-2, 12 points). Ovechkin has 4-5—9 in his nine head-to-head games with McDavid.

Robertson, MacKinnon and Karlsson Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and San Jose Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 6.

FIRST STAR – JASON ROBERTSON, LW, DALLAS STARS

Robertson registered 4-4—8, scoring in all three of his outings to push his goal streak to a career-high five games (dating to Oct. 27: 6-5—11) and help the first-place Stars (8-3-1, 17 points) complete a perfect week. Robertson posted 1-2—3, including the go-ahead goal, in a 5-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings Nov. 1. He then scored twice in a 7-2 triumph against the Arizona Coyotes Nov. 3. Robertson capped the week with 1-2—3, highlighted by his 17th career game-winning goal and third of the season, in a 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 5. The 23-year-old Robertson – who finished second in Calder Memorial Trophy voting in 2020-21 and reached the 40-goal milestone for the first time in 2021-22 – has played in 12 total contests this season, ranking among the League leaders in game-winning goals (t-1st; 3), goals (t-6th; 8) and points (7th; 18).

SECOND STAR – NATHAN MacKINNON, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

MacKinnon recorded a League-high seven assists in two outings (0-7—7) to propel the Avalanche (6-4-1, 13 points) to a sweep of their two-game series against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Tampere, Finland, as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series. MacKinnon established a record for helpers in a regular-season NHL game played outside North America with four assists (including three in the third period) in a 6-3 win Nov. 4. He added three more helpers in a 5-1 victory Nov. 5 to become the League’s all-time leader in both assists (7) and points (8) in contests staged outside North America (4 GP) as well as the first Avalanche player with seven or more apples over a two-game span since Peter Forsberg from Feb. 19-23, 1996 (3-7—10). The 27-year-old MacKinnon has skated in 11 total contests this season, placing among the top performers in assists (t-1st; 16), points (6th; 19) and shots on goal (6th; 55).

THIRD STAR – ERIK KARLSSON, D, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Karlsson led defensemen with 4-4—8 in three games as the Sharks (3-8-3, 9 points) earned three of a possible six standings points. Playing in his 850th NHL contest, Karlsson posted 3-1—4 – including his first career hat trick and the first by any blueliner since Jakob Chychrun on April 4, 2021 (w/ ARI) – in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks Nov. 1. Karlsson then notched his fourth straight multi-point performance (dating to Oct. 27: 7-5—12) with 1-2—3 in a 4-3 shootout defeat versus the Florida Panthers Nov. 3, making him the fastest blueliner to compile 10 goals in a season (13 GP) since Georges Mantha in 1937-38 (also 13 GP). He finished the week with one assist in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Ducks Nov. 5. The 32-year-old Karlsson has appeared in 14 total contests this season, topping defensemen and ranking among the League leaders in game-winning goals (t-1st; 3), goals (t-2nd; 10) and points (4th; 19).

Canadiens’ Anderson Suspended Two Games for Boarding

Montreal Canadiens forward Josh Anderson has been suspended for two games, without pay, for boarding Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo during NHL Game No. 184 in Montreal on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The incident occurred at 10:06 of the third period. Anderson was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Anderson will forfeit $59,459.46. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video details a full explanation of the decision.

Panthers’ Tkachuk Suspended Two Games for High-Sticking

Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk has been suspended for two games, without pay, for high-sticking Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick during NHL Game No. 189 in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. The incident occurred at 19:22 of the third period. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Tkachuk will forfeit $102,702.70. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video details a full explanation of the decision.