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Winnipeg Jets- In Play! magazine
Winnipeg improved to 25-9-4 (54 points) and claimed first in the NHL standings, marking the first time in franchise history they have held the top spot this late into a season. Photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
06
Jan

NHL Recap January 5, 2024 – WINNIPEG WINS AND CLAIMS FIRST IN LEAGUE STANDINGS

After conceding the first goal of the game, the Jets (25-9-4, 54 points) went on to score the next three and finished with a 3-1 win to overtake the idle Rangers (26-10-1, 53 points) for top spot in the NHL standings. It marked the first time in franchise history they were ranked first in the standings this late into a season.

TRIO OF PLAYERS WITH THREE-POINT GAMES POWER HURRICANES TO VICTORY
Despite the Capitals jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, Andrei Svechnikov (1-2—3), Sebastian Aho (0-3—3) and Brent Burns (2-1—3) each factored on three of their team’s six unanswered goals to help the Hurricanes (22-13-4, 48 points) gain ground on the Metropolitan Division-leading Rangers (26-10-1, 53 points).

  • With the winning goal, Svechnikov extended his multi-point streak to six games – the longest by any player this season. In the process, he also surpassed Jeff Skinner (22) for the second-most game-winning goals by a Hurricanes/Whalers player before age 24, behind only Aho (27).
  • Aho, who is set to join Eric Staal (4x), Ron Francis (3x) and Justin Faulk (3x) as the fourth three-time All-Star in Hurricanes/Whalers franchise history, collected his 51st career multi-assist game – he surpassed Ray Whitney (50) and Andrew Cassels (50) for the fourth most in franchise history.
  • Burns became the third Hurricanes/Whalers player to record multiple three-point outings at the age of 38 or older, joining Francis (8x; last April 2, 2002) and Dave Keon (4x; last Dec. 10, 1980).

HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HIGHLIGHTS 12-GAME SATURDAY
It will be a full day of NHL action on Saturday with a dozen contests, including a four-game slate on Sportsnet’s Hockey Night in Canada broadcast that will feature recently named All-Stars Auston Matthews, Nick Suzuki, Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk and Connor McDavid.

  • The Maple Leafs complete a three-game California road trip in San Jose after a 3-0 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday and a 2-1 overtime victory over Anaheim on Wednesday. Toronto can win three consecutive games in California for the fourth time in franchise history, with the most recent occurrence Nov. 24-28, 2021. Auston Matthews scored the overtime winner against Anaheim to become the first player to reach 30 goals this season. Matthews, who grew up in Scottsdale, Ariz., was born in San Ramon, Calif., approximately 40 miles from San Jose.
  • Nick Suzuki (12-22—34 in 38 GP) currently leads the Canadiens in points after also doing so in each of the previous two seasons. Should he do so again in 2023-24, he would be the first player to lead Montreal in points for three or more consecutive seasons since Max Pacioretty did so for six straight campaigns from 2011-12 to 2016-17.
  • All three Hughes brothers could appear in the same NHL game for the second time when Quinn Hughes and the Canucks travel to New Jersey to face a Devils team that includes his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes. All three siblings found the score sheet in the previous matchup on Dec. 5 (NJD: 6-5 W).
  • Connor McDavid and the Oilers will look to extend their win streak to seven games when they host Brady Tkachuk and the Senators. McDavid (11-28—39 in 22 GP) has recorded more points against the Senators than he has versus any current Eastern Conference club – with 21 of those points coming in the 2020-21 regular season when both teams were part of the all-Canadian North Division.
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Guest Writer