NHL RECAP DECEMBER 1, 2024 – DEBRUSK, LANKINEN, HUGHES SHINE IN CANUCKS VICTORY

In a back-and-forth game against the Detroit Red Wings that included four game-tying goals (tied for the most in a game this season), Jake DeBrusk (3-1—4) capped his first hat trick as a member of the Canucks with an overtime winner to help Vancouver improve to 10-2-0 as visitors this season, marking the fewest games needed to 10 road wins in franchise history.

• DeBrusk, who became the eighth player in Canucks history to record a regular-season hat trick that included an overtime winner, improved his season totals to 10-9—19 in 23 GP – the only offseason additions with a higher goal total include Stefan Noesen (13 w/ NJD), Jack Roslovic (12 w/ CAR) and Adam Gaudette (12 w/ OTT). With every hat trick this season, AstraZeneca will donate $3,000 to the Hockey Fights Cancer Fund of the V Foundation up to $300,000.
• Kevin Lankinen stopped 27 of 31 shots to become the first goaltender in NHL history to earn wins in each of his first 10 road appearances in a season. Of note, Ilya Samsonov went 10-0-0 through his first 10 road decisions during the 2019-20 campaign (11 GP).
• Quinn Hughes (0-3—3) recorded three assists, including a helper on the overtime winner, to surpass Alexander Edler (310) for the most assists by a defenseman in franchise history – Hughes required 537 fewer games to reach the mark. Hughes already owned Canucks franchise records for assists and points in a season by a defenseman.
• The Red Wings recalled goaltender Sebastian Cossa from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. Additionally, the Red Wings placed goaltender Alex Lyon on injured reserve retroactive to Nov. 27.

PASTRNAK POTS ONE OF BRUINS’ SIX GOALS DURING CENTENNIAL GAME VICTORY
David Pastrnak scored a goal while skating in his 700th career contest to help the Bruins best their longtime rival during Boston’s Centennial Game at TD Garden.

• Pastrnak (357-393—750 in 700 GP) became the fourth player in franchise history with 750 points through 700 games (or fewer) following Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr and Rick Middleton. Esposito, Orr and Middleton were all in attendance Sunday, as was hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree who could be seen in the Bruins’ epic “Soaring Through History” drone film shared by the team on social media before facing the Canadiens.
• Former Boston forward Johnny Bucyk and Montreal goaltender Ken Dryden were part of the ceremonial puck drop conducted by youth hockey players from Massachusetts and Quebec. Bucyk (9-9—18 in 22 GP) buried nine of his franchise-record 545 goals on Dryden, who went 12-5-5 in those games with a 2.91 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Werenski, Marchment, TERRY continue recent success – more notes from the five-game slate. Some highlights include:

• Zach Werenski (5-11—16 in 8 GP) recorded his 34th career multi-assist game to climb the franchise’s all-time list and extend his point streak to eight contests, the longest in club history by a defenseman. The Blue Jackets also improved to 5-0-1 in their last six games dating to Nov. 18, their longest point streak since Jan. 18-29, 2021 (4-0-3 in 7 GP).
• Mason Marchment (8-8—16 in 10 GP) tallied the winner in highlight-reel fashion to help Dallas defeat Winnipeg and record his eighth goal in his past 10 games, which are tied for the League lead over that span (w/ Anthony Cirelli, Connor McDavid & Brayden Point). The Stars’ win allowed the idle Wild (16-4-4, 36 points) to pass the Jets (18-7-0, 36 points) for first place in the NHL.
• Troy Terry tallied three assists and his fourth career shootout-deciding goal as the Ducks improved to 3-0-0 in their last three games against the Senators dating to Feb. 15. Terry (0-7—7 in 4 GP), who has seven points in his last four contests, notched his 23rd career multi-assist game to pass Chris Pronger, Bobby Ryan and Rickard Rakell (all w/ 22) for ninth place on the franchise’s all-time list.

PRIME MONDAY NIGHT HOCKEY HAS ORIGINAL SIX SHOWDOWN IN TORONTO
Tonight’s schedule is highlighted by Connor Bedard, Nick Foligno and the Blackhawks visiting William Nylander, Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs during the latest edition of Prime Monday Night Hockey on Prime Video Canada.

• Bedard (5-14—19 in 24 GP) is set to skate in his 25th contest as the reigning Calder Memorial Trophy winner, while Matthews will play his second game since returning to Toronto’s lineup Saturday. Matthews (13-13—26 in 25 GP) had 26 points through his first 25 contests after capturing the Calder Trophy in 2016-17.
• The three-game slate is set to feature other No. 1 picks in the NHL Draft including Jack Hughes and Alexis Lafrenière when the Devils duel the Rangers on NHL Network. Mason Marchment and the Stars square off with Clayton Keller and Utah Hockey Club during the finale.

Week ahead has more national games, unveiling of 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF ROSTERS

Tuesday, Dec. 3 – ESPN+ two-pack features Red Wings-Bruins, Oilers-Golden Knights

• An ESPN+ doubleheader opens with Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings battling Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy and the Bruins at TD Garden followed by Connor McDavid and the Oilers jousting Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Each contest is also available on Hulu in the United States and Sportsnet ONE in Canada.

Wednesday, Dec. 4 – Full rosters for 4 Nations Face-Off to be unveiled across two live shows

• After their games on Tuesday, McDavid, Eichel, Marchand and McAvoy are set to learn who the rest of their 4 Nations Face-Off teammates are when the balance of rosters for Canada and the United States will be announced during live pre-game shows on TNT and Sportsnet. The remaining players representing Finland and Sweden will be unveiled earlier in the day during a live show produced by NHL Network and made available globally.

Thursday, Dec. 5 – Several tournament-bound players set to skate during NHL Coast to Coast

• The first gameday after the unveiling of full 4 Nations Face-Off rosters coincides with the return of NHL Coast to Coast, the live whip-around studio show available to viewers on Prime Video Canada starting at 7 p.m. ET. The nine-game slate includes tournament-bound teammates Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk and Gustav Forsling, who have helped Florida outscore opponents by a combined 17-4 margin during its current three-game winning streak.

Saturday, Dec. 7 – Hockey Night in Canada highlighted by Maple Leafs-Penguins, Blues-Oilers

• Another star-studded Hockey Night in Canada is highlighted by Sidney Crosby and the Penguins pitted against Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs at PPG Paints Arena as well as Blues teammates Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg facing their former team at Rogers Place. Holloway has three goals and five points since Jim Montgomery was named St. Louis’ head coach.

Sharks’ Celebrini Named NHL ‘Rookie of the Month’ for November

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, who led all rookies in goals (7), points (12), game-winning goals (t-3) and shots on goal (45) across 14 appearances, has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for November.

Celebrini edged Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf (5-2-1, 2.23 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO), Philadelphia Flyers right wing Matvei Michkov (5-5—10 in 12 GP), Sharks teammate Will Smith (3-6—9 in 13 GP), New York Islanders right wing Maxim Tsyplakov (2-6—8 in 15 GP) and Florida Panthers right wing Mackie Samoskevich (4-3—7 in 11 GP) for the honor.

Celebrini follows Michkov (4-5—9 in 11 GP in October) as a “Rookie of the Month” winner in 2024-25. He is the first Sharks player to receive the honor since center Tomas Hertl in October 2013 (8‑3—11 in 13 GP).

Necas, Rantanen and Hellebuyck Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ for November

Carolina Hurricanes center Martin Necas, Colorado Avalanche right wing Mikko Rantanen and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of November.

FIRST STAR – MARTIN NECAS, C, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Necas led the NHL with 7-15—22 in 15 contests to power the Hurricanes (16-7-1, 33 points) to a 9‑5-1 month, highlighted by a 7-1-0 record at Lenovo Center. Necas, who also ranked among the November leaders in power-play points (t-3rd; 9), assists (t-4th; 15), even-strength assists (t-6th; 9), power-play assists (t-6th; 6), power-play goals (t-9th; 3) and even-strength points (t-10th; 13), began the month by extending his point streak to a career-best 13 games (Oct. 22 – Nov. 17: 10-17—27) – including assists in a career-high 10 straight appearances (Oct. 22 – Nov. 11: 7-14—21). Overall, Necas found the score sheet in 12 of Carolina’s 15 November games, producing multiple points seven times and a pair of efforts with at least three points: Nov. 3 vs. WSH (1-2—3) and Nov. 17 vs. STL (2-2—4). The 25-year-old Necas sits second in the League with 12-25—37 through 24 total contests this season. He also places among the 2024-25 leaders in power-play points (1st; 17), power-play assists (t-2nd; 12), game-winning goals (t-3rd; 4), assists (4th; 25) and even-strength assists (t-10th; 13).

SECOND STAR – MIKKO RANTANEN, RW, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Rantanen shared the League lead with 11 total goals and four game-winning goals across 14 appearances (11-8—19) to guide the Avalanche (13-12-0, 26 points) to an 8-6-0 month. He scored in half of his 14 contests, highlighted by his second hat trick of the season Nov. 13 vs. LAK (3-1—4) as well as a pair of two-goal performances: Nov. 5 vs. SEA (2-0—2) and Nov. 9 vs. CAR (2-1—3). Rantanen, who produced six total multi-point games, additionally finished among the November leaders in even-strength goals (t-1st; 8), even-strength points (t-4th; 14), points (t-8th; 19) and power-play goals (t-9th; 3). The 28-year-old Rantanen, who is slated to represent Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, ranks sixth in the NHL with 15-19—34 through 25 total outings this season. He also places among the top 2024-25 performers in hat tricks (1st; 2), game-winning goals (t-3rd; 4), goals (t-4th; 15), even-strength goals (t‑8th; 10), power-play goals (t-8th; 5), even-strength points (t-9th; 22) and power-play points (t-9th; 12).

THIRD STAR – CONNOR HELLEBUYCK, G, WINNIPEG JETS

Hellebuyck paced the NHL in wins, going 8-2-0 with a 2.10 goals-against average, .931 save percentage and two shutouts in 10 starts to help the Jets (18-6-0, 36 points) maintain first place in the overall League standings. Hellebuyck also finished among the top November goaltenders (minimum: 5 GP) in shutouts (t-1st; 2), save percentage (3rd; .931), saves (5th; 282), shots against (6th; 303) and goals-against average (7th; 2.10). He yielded one or fewer goals in half of his 10 appearances, highlighted by a run in which he earned consecutive shutouts (Nov. 5 vs. UTA: 21 SV and Nov. 7 vs. COL: 35 SV) and set a franchise record for the longest shutout sequence (Nov. 3-9: 191:47). The 31-year-old Hellebuyck, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, has played in 18 total games this season, placing among the League leaders (minimum: 8 GP) in wins (1st; 15), shutouts (1st; 3), goals-against average (2nd; 2.11), save percentage (2nd; .928), saves (3rd; 487) and shots against (3rd; 525).

Oilers’ Skinner Fined for Embellishment

Edmonton Oilers forward Jeff Skinner has been fined $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment).

NHL Rule 64 is designed to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams) who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties. Fines are assessed to players and head coaches on a graduated scale.

Citations are issued by the National Hockey League Hockey Operations Department, which tracks all games, logs all penalties for diving or embellishment, and flags all plays not called on the ice that in its opinion were deserving of such a penalty. A Citation is issued once Hockey Operations, through its internal deliberations, is convinced that a player warrants sanction.

Skinner was issued a Warning following an incident flagged by NHL Hockey Operations during NHL Game No. 103 vs. Carolina on Oct. 22. His second Citation, which triggered the $2,000 fine, was issued for an incident at 10:33 of the second period during NHL Game No. 332 vs. NY Rangers on Nov. 23.

The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Celebrini, Hughes and Chychrun Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 1.

FIRST STAR – MACKLIN CELEBRINI, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Celebrini, who on Sunday was named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for November, notched 4‑3—7 and two game-winning goals in four appearances to guide the Sharks (9-13-5, 23 points) to a trio of victories. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2024 NHL Draft registered 2-1—3, highlighted by his second career decisive tally (also Nov. 18 vs. DET), in a 7-2 triumph versus the Los Angeles Kings Nov. 25. At 18 years, 165 days, he became the youngest player in franchise history with a three-point game – besting Patrick Marleau’s previous team mark (18 years, 171 days on March 5, 1998 vs. DET: 1-2—3). Celebrini then scored once in a 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators Nov. 27 before collecting 1-1—2, including another game-winning goal, in an 8-5 victory against the Seattle Kraken Nov. 29. He ended the week with one assist (on the eventual decisive goal) in a 4-2 win over the Kraken Nov. 30. Celebrini sits third among rookies with 8-6—14 through 15 total contests this season despite missing 12 games due to injury. He also ranks among the leading rookies in game-winning goals (t-1st; 3), goals (2nd; 8), average time on ice (2nd; 19:48), shots on goal (3rd; 47), shooting percentage (minimum: 1 SOG/GP – 4th; 17.0%) and assists (t-6th; 6).

SECOND STAR – QUINN HUGHES, D, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Hughes paced the NHL with eight assists and nine points in four games (1-8—9) to propel the Canucks (13-7-3, 29 points) to a 3-1-0 week. Hughes, who also shared the League lead with four helpers on the man-advantage, picked up an assist on the decisive power-play goal in a 2-0 triumph over the Boston Bruins Nov. 26. He followed that with 1-2—3, his second three-point outing of the season (also Nov. 5 at ANA: 0-3—3), in a 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Nov. 27. Hughes added a pair of helpers, including the primary assist on Conor Garland’s overtime winner, in a 4-3 victory against the Buffalo Sabres Nov. 29. He capped the week with 0-3—3, again assisting on the decisive overtime tally, in a 5-4 win versus the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 1 to surpass Alexander Edler for the most helpers by a defenseman in franchise history. The 25-year-old Hughes, the reigning James Norris Memorial Trophy winner, ranks second among NHL blueliners with 5-23—28 through 23 total contests this season. He also places among the top defensemen in power-play assists (t-1st; 11), assists (2nd; 23), power-play points (t-3rd; 11), shots on goal (5th; 77), average time on ice (9th; 24:52) and goals (t-9th; 5).

THIRD STAR – JAKOB CHYCHRUN, D, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Chychrun recorded 3-4—7 and a pair of game-winning goals in four appearances to lift the Capitals (17-6-1, 35 points) into first place in the Metropolitan Division on the strength of a perfect week. He posted his eighth career three-point performance and first in nearly a year (last Dec. 15, 2023 at DAL: 0-3—3) with 1-2—3, including the decisive tally, in a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers Nov. 25. Chychrun notched the primary assist on Tom Wilson’s tiebreaking goal with 3:26 remaining in regulation in a 5-4 comeback win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Nov. 27 before collecting 1-1—2, highlighted by his third career overtime goal, as Washington again rallied from a third-period deficit for a 5-4 triumph versus the New York Islanders Nov. 29. He closed the week with another tally, his eighth of the season (tied for first among NHL defensemen), in a 6-5 victory over the New Jersey Devils Nov. 30. The 26-year-old Chychrun, who was acquired by the Capitals during the offseason, has produced 8-7—15 and a +10 rating through 19 total contests in 2024-25.

GEICO and the NHL have launched the “NHL Fourth Star presented by GEICO,” a fan appreciation program that recognizes one dedicated hockey fan alongside the NHL’s monthly “Three Stars” players. November’s “Fourth Star” is longtime Washington Capitals fan Tony Alatis, who has been attending Capitals games since 1975. Click here to watch a video that showcases the passion and energy Tony brings to every game to provide his team with a “Fan Advantage.”