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Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers. Photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
Connor McDavid (1-4—5) set a new benchmark among active players with his ninth career five-point game as the Oilers scored six goals through two periods and finished with eight in total. Edmonton was the sixth team in three days to score at least seven goals in a game. Photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
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NHL Recap November 26, 2023 -McDAVID RACKS UP ANOTHER POTENT PERFORMANCE WITH FIVE-POINT NIGHT

Connor McDavid (1-4—5), fresh off a four-assist night Friday, once again delivered offensively by factoring on five of eight Edmonton goals Sunday for his ninth career five-point game and surpassing Evgeni Malkin (8x) for the most by an active player.

  • McDavid recorded four-plus points in consecutive games for the second time in his career, following a two-game stretch in 2022-23 (2 GP from Feb. 23-25) and joined Wayne Gretzky (28x), Jari Kurri (4x) and Paul Coffey (3x) as the fourth player in Oilers history to achieve the feat multiple times. In fact, Nikita Kucherov (4x) is the only other active player to do so more than once.
  • The Oilers captain, who also became the third different player in franchise history with consecutive four-assist games, joined Nicklas Backstrom (12x), Leon Draisaitl (9x), Sidney Crosby (8x) and Blake Wheeler (6x) as the fifth active player with at least six career contests with four-plus assists.
  • The Oilers wrapped up a high-scoring weekend around the NHL by joining the Predators (8 on Nov. 24), Lightning (8 on Nov. 24), Rangers (7 on Nov. 25), Devils (7 on Nov. 25) and Flames (7 on Nov. 24) as the sixth team with seven or more goals in a game since Friday. Additionally, Edmonton joined Nashville as the second team in that span to score six through the first 30 minutes of the contest.

HURRICANES COMPLETE MULTI-GOAL, THIRD-PERIOD COMEBACK LATE IN REGULATION
In a scoreless game through 40 minutes, the Hurricanes allowed two goals in the first 6:41 of the third period but flipped the switch on the Blue Jackets in the final 9:59 as Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1-0—1), Brady Skjei (1-0—1) and Andrei Svechnikov (1-1—2) each scored to complete Carolina’s second multi-goal, third-period comeback win of the season (also Nov. 4).

  • Svechnikov netted the go-ahead goal with 1:55 remaining in regulation and tied Ron Francis (19x) for the third-most game-winning goals by a Hurricanes/Whalers player before age 24, behind only Sebastian Aho (27x) and Jeff Skinner (22x).
  • Sunday marked the sixth time in franchise history, and first since Jan. 27, 2014 (3-2 W vs. CBJ), the Hurricanes overcame a multi-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes and won in regulation. Overall, Carolina joined Toronto (3x) and Anaheim (2x) as the third team with multiple multi-goal, third-period comeback wins this season.

DEFENSEMEN FACTOR ON EVERY GOAL FOR THEIR TEAM IN WINS
The latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates watched Roman Josi (1-2—3) and Shayne Gostisbehere (1-3—4) play pivotal roles for the Predators (10-10-0, 20 points) and Red Wings (11-6-3, 25 points), respectively, as they found their names all over the score sheet in their team’s wins.

  • Multiple defensemen factored on all their team’s goals (min. 3) on the same day for the fifth time in five years, with Josi (0-3—3 w/ NSH) achieving the feat alongside Evan Bouchard (1-2—3 w/ EDM) on April 7, 2022 in the most recent instance.
  • Josi, who combined with Filip Forsberg on the eventual game-winning goal, helped the Predators capture their fifth straight win – following five victories through their first 15 games of 2023-24 – to tie the Kings for the longest active streak. With two points in the second period, the Predators captain registered his 60th career multi-point period and joined Erik Karlsson (82), Brent Burns (70) and Victor Hedman (61) as the only active defensemen with as many.
  • Gostisbehere, with the sixth four-point game by a defenseman this season, became the fifth different blueliner in Red Wings history to factor on all of his team’s goals (min. 4). He joined Reed Larson (3x; last: Jan. 9, 1983), Lee Norwood (Feb. 27, 1988), Nicklas Lidstrom (Dec. 27, 2010) and Mike Green (Oct. 5, 2017). Detroit, with three straight wins since returning from the NHL Global Series, is one of six teams in the Atlantic Division separated by five points.

McDavid, Kucherov and Saros Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov and Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 26.

FIRST STAR – CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid, who factored on 12 of Edmonton’s 19 goals during the week (63.2%), led the NHL with nine assists and 12 points in four contests (3-9—12) to propel the Oilers (7-12-1, 15 points) to a pair of victories. He recorded his 52nd career multi-goal game, and first of 2023-24, with two tallies in a 5-3 loss to the Florida Panthers Nov. 20. McDavid then collected one assist in a 6-3 defeat versus the Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 22. He closed the week with nine points over his final two appearances, posting four helpers in a 5-0 triumph against the Washington Capitals Nov. 24 before adding 1-4—5 (his ninth career five-point performance) in an 8-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks Nov. 26. McDavid became the first player on any team to record consecutive four-assist games since Nicklas Backstrom from Jan. 19-21, 2008 (0‑8—8 in 2 GP w/ WSH) and just the third different player in Edmonton history to achieve the feat, joining Wayne Gretzky (3x) and Jari Kurri (2x). The 26-year-old McDavid, the League’s reigning Hart Memorial Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award, Art Ross Trophy and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner, has compiled 7-18—25 through 18 total games this season, ranking among the top performers in power-play assists (t‑4th; 10), assists (t-7th; 19), power-play points (t-10th; 12) and points (t-13th; 25).

SECOND STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov, who topped the NHL with 1-4—5 on the power play, placed second in the League with 2-6—8 overall to lift the Lightning (10-6-5, 25 points) to a 2-0-1 week as they extended their point streak to five contests dating to Nov. 16 (4-0-1). He earned the primary assist on Steven Stamkos’ tying goal with 4.8 seconds remaining in regulation in an eventual 5-4 overtime victory against the Boston Bruins Nov. 20. Kucherov then assisted on another Stamkos goal as Tampa Bay rallied from a 2-0 deficit for one point in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets Nov. 22. He capped the week by tying the Lightning record for points in one game, totaling 2-4—6 in an 8-2 triumph over the Carolina Hurricanes Nov. 24. The 30-year-old Kucherov, who has assists/points in five straight games dating to Nov. 16 (4-8—12), currently paces the League with 15 goals (tied), 35 points and 18 power-play points through 20 total appearances this season. He also sits among the 2023-24 leaders in power-play assists (t-2nd; 12), shots on goal (3rd; 92), power-play goals (t-3rd; 6) and assists (t-4th; 20).

THIRD STAR – JUUSE SAROS, G, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Saros led the NHL with three victories in as many starts, compiling a 2.35 goals-against average and .921 save percentage to help the Predators (10-10-0, 20 points) extend their winning streak to five games dating to Nov. 18. He made 26 saves, including 13 in the middle frame, as Nashville rallied from a 3-2 third-period deficit for a 4-3 triumph over the Colorado Avalanche Nov. 20. Saros then turned aside 24 shots, including 12 in the opening frame, in a 4-2 win versus the Calgary Flames Nov. 22. He finished the week with 32 stops, his fifth 30-save performance of 2023-24, in a 3-2 victory against the Winnipeg Jets Nov. 26. The 28-year-old Saros has played in 16 total contests this season, going 7-9-0 with a 3.05 goals-against average, .898 save percentage and one shutout.

Wild’s Hartman Suspended Two Games for Tripping

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended for two games, without pay, for tripping Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat during NHL Game No. 316 in Detroit on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023. The incident occurred at 7:51 of the third period. Hartman is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $41,463.42. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

TKACHUKS READY FOR HEAD-TO-HEAD MEETING TO START THE WEEK
A 53-game week in the NHL, including 22 nationally broadcast contests, begins with a six-game Monday featuring the 19th all-time head-to-head meeting between brothers Matthew Tkachuk and Brady Tkachuk on Sportsnet. Matthew holds the statistical advantage after posting 6-14—20 in comparison to the Senators captain (6-5—11), but the clubs hold nearly identical records (FLA: 9-8-1; OTT: 9-9-0).

Tuesday, Nov. 28: Hurricanes vs. Flyers (7:30 p.m. ET on HULU, ESPN+)

  • The Metropolitan Division, highlighted with a matchup between the Hurricanes and Flyers, is one of two in the Eastern Conference where seed Nos. 2-7 are separated by only five points. Travis Konecny (No. 24) and Sebastian Aho (No. 35) were selected 11 picks apart in the 2015 NHL Draft and both rank among the top 10 scorers from their draft class (Aho: 4th; Konecny: 8th). Carolina enters the contest with five straight road wins in Philadelphia, their second-longest active streak against one opponent behind a six-game run as visitors against the Islanders.

Wednesday, Nov. 29: Red Wings vs. Rangers (7:30 p.m. ET on Max, TNT)

  • A pair of Original Six rivals will meet for the second time this season and month (also Nov. 7) when the Detroit Red Wings (11-6-3, 25 points) travel to Madison Square Garden to clash with the Rangers (15-3-1, 31 points). New York has five consecutive home wins entering Monday but Lucas Raymond (48-70—118 in 176 GP) and an active six-game point streak (4-2—6 in 6 GP) look to guide Detroit to its 100th regular-season road win against the Rangers.

Wednesday, Nov. 29: Capitals vs. Kings (10:30 p.m. ET on SN)

  • The Kings (13-3-3, 29 points) will put their five-game win streak on the line when Alex Ovechkin (827-670—1,497 in 1,364 GP) comes to town in search of his 1,500th career point. Los Angeles, led in goals by Thousand Oaks, Calif. native Trevor Moore (11-8—19 in 19 GP), can match the best 20-game start to a season in franchise history following 31 points through the first 20 contests of 1990-91 (15-4-1, 31 points).
  • Despite all the Kings’ success on the road to start the season, the club has also managed to stifle the opposition at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles can allow one goal or fewer in four consecutive home games for the seventh time in franchise history following 2014-15 (5 GP), 2010-11 (5 GP), 2011-12 (4 GP), 2000-01 (4 GP), 1975-76 (4 GP) and 1974-75 (4 GP).

Thursday, Nov. 30: Islanders vs. Hurricanes (7:30 p.m. ET on HULU, ESPN+)

  • The Islanders and Hurricanes will meet for the second time this season and month (also Nov. 4) after Sebastian Aho scored the last of four unanswered goals as Carolina erased a three-goal deficit en route to victory. The Hurricanes/Whalers franchise has 82 all-time regular-season wins against the Islanders – tied with the Bruins for their second most against one opponent and trailing only the Sabres (90).

Saturday, Dec. 2: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs (7 p.m. ET on SN, NHLN)

  • David Pastrnak and Auston Matthews are set to go head-to-head in the regular season for the 17th time, with each producing notable performances through the first 16 meetings (Pastrnak: 11-6—17 in 16 GP & Matthews: 10-9—19 in 16 GP) and Boston (8-7-1) and Toronto (8-6-2) each winning half of those contests.
  • At least one of either Pastrnak or Matthews, who rank first and third in goals among all players through the past five seasons, has scored a goal in 15 of their regular-season meetings to date – the lone exception being March 20, 2017. They have both scored a goal in three of those contests (Jan. 14, 2023; March 29, 2022; and Nov. 6, 2021).
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Guest Writer