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Sidney Crosby Pittsburgh Penguins - Photo Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
Sidney Crosby scored twice to climb several NHL lists as the Penguins defeated the state-rival Flyers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Monday. File photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
02
Dec

NHL REVIEW DECEMBER 1, 2025 – CROSBY CLIMBS MORE ALL-TIME LISTS WITH TWO-GOAL OUTING IN WIN

Sidney Crosby (2-0—2) opened the scoring in Philadelphia and later added another – the game winner – to become the 14th player in NHL history with 300 career road goals as the Penguins skated to victory over their state rival. The Pittsburgh captain is now eight points shy of overtaking Mario Lemieux (1,723) for eighth on the NHL’s all-time list.

  • Crosby tied Gordie Howe (851 w/ DET) for the sixth-most wins with a single franchise (regular season & playoffs combined). The only players with more are Nicklas Lidstrom (1,090 w/ DET), Patrick Marleau (924 w/ SJS), Alex Ovechkin (914 w/ WSH), Steve Yzerman (886 w/ DET) and Larry Robinson (859 w/ MTL).
  • Crosby’s two tallies marked the 571st and 572nd go-ahead goals he has factored on in his career – he passed Mark Messier (571) for the fourth most in NHL history, behind only Wayne Gretzky (742), Jaromir Jagr (644) and Ron Francis (581).
  • Crosby, who was named to Team Canada for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, became the 10th Canadian player in NHL history to score 300 career road goals, passing his former Olympic teammate Jarome Iginla (299) along the way while also overtaking him for ninth on the League’s all-time game-winning goals list. Iginla assisted on Crosby’s overtime goal in the gold medal game against Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

YOUNG DUCKS, SHARKS DUOS LIFT THEIR CLUBS TO VICTORY

A pair of Californian clubs were lifted to victory Monday by their young stars, with Sharks duo Will Smith (2-1—3) and Macklin Celebrini (0-3—3) each posting a three-point game versus the Mammoth while Ducks duo Beckett Sennecke (0-1—1) and Leo Carlsson (1-1—2) both found the score sheet against the Blues.

  • Smith became the second Sharks player to score multiple goals in consecutive games at age 20 or younger, joining Tomas Hertl (2 GP from Oct. 5-8, 2013). Only three players in NHL history have posted a longer such streak before age 21: Patrik Laine (3 GP in 2017-18), Wayne Gretzky (3 GP in 1981-82) and Mike Foligno (3 GP in 1979-80).
  • Celebrini (14-26—40 in 27 GP) became the second player to hit 40 points this season and one of the fastest teenagers in NHL history to do so while also surpassing Connor McDavid (11-25—36 in 26 GP) for the League lead in assists. In the process, Celebrini became the seventh teenager in NHL history to reach the 25-point mark in 27 games or fewer, joining Gretzky (21 GP in 1980-81 & 22 GP in 1979-80), Mario Lemieux (21 GP in 1984-85), Sidney Crosby (23 GP in 2006-07), Steve Yzerman (26 GP in 1984-85), Ron Francis (27 GP in 1982-83) and Larry Murphy (27 GP in 1980-81).
  • Carlsson’s first point of the night placed him alongside Leon Draisaitl (2x: 8 GP) as the second player this season with multiple point streaks of seven-plus games (also 11 GP). With his second point, Carlsson became the fifth-fastest Ducks player to record his first 25 career multi-point games, behind Paul Kariya (82 GP), Trevor Zegras (111 GP), Bobby Ryan (147 GP) and Ryan Getzlaf (147 GP).
  • Sennecke (7-13—20 in 26 GP) became the first rookie this season to hit 20 points and required the second-fewest games in franchise history to reach the mark behind only Kariya (24 GP). Sennecke (1-7—8 in 8 GP) also matched Kariya (8 GP in 1994-95) for the longest point streak by a Ducks rookie.

NHL GIVES THANKS TO THE BEST FANS IN SPORTS

More than 800,000 fans filled NHL arenas to 99% of capacity over the festive U.S. Thanksgiving holiday period from Wednesday, Nov. 26 through Sunday, Nov. 30, lifting the NHL to a sweep of monthly attendance records.

Amid marquee performances from a multi-generational group of young stars and legends of the sport, plus unprecedented competition for playoff berths, a total of 3,951,033 fans attended the 225 NHL games in November for a per-game average of 17,560 and 97.3% capacity. All three attendance metrics – total, average and percent capacity – set NHL all-time records for the month of November.

ESPN+ DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES 10-GAME TUESDAY

The Panthers (12-11-1, 25 points) and Maple Leafs (11-11-3, 25 points), the past two winners of the Atlantic Division, have hopes of climbing closer to the playoff line when they clash for the first time since Game 7 of the 2025 Second Round. Their rematch is one of two contests that comprise an ESPN+ doubleheader, alongside a head-to-head meeting between Mark Stone and Connor Bedard when the Golden Knights and Blackhawks drop the puck at T-Mobile Arena.

  • The Panthers are taking to the ice in December for the first time and are 32 days away from hosting the NHL’s first-ever outdoor game in the state of Florida when they welcome the Rangers to LoanDepot Park in Miami. Brad Marchand, a perfect 3-0-0 in career outdoor games (2019 Winter Classic, 2021 NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe & 2023 Winter Classic), leads the Panthers into their clash with the Maple Leafs on Tuesday – his 60th regular-season outing against the club (21-37—58 in 59 GP). Only four active players have more game-winning goals against Toronto in the regular season than Marchand (4): Alex Ovechkin (6), Claude Giroux (6), Steven Stamkos (6) and David Pastrnak (6).
  • Auston Matthews (411 in 649 GP) will appear in his 650th career game when Toronto takes to the ice for the first of its three contests this week, with the Maple Leafs’ captain 10 goals shy of overtaking franchise icon Mats Sundin (420 in 981 GP) for the most in team history. Toronto’s all-time goals leader has already changed twice (from Dave Keon to Darryl Sittler, then Sittler to Sundin) since the last time another Original Six goals leader changed (NYR: Rod Gilbert on Dec. 16, 1973).
  • Stone returned to Vegas’ lineup last week, posting 2-1—3 through three games and has continued his point-producing ways by finding the score sheet in each one of his contests for the club during the 2025-26 season (4-12—16 in 9 GP). The Golden Knights captain, already the first player in franchise history to collect a point in each of his first nine appearances of a season, can be the first to do so in 10 consecutive outings this season. Three players did so in 2024-25: Nathan MacKinnon (13 GP), Cale Makar (13 GP) and Kyle Connor (12 GP).
  • Bedard’s four-point night in his most recent outing helped the 20-year-old keep pace in the NHL’s scoring race this season and move within three points of becoming the third player to reach the 40-point mark in 2025-26 (16-21—37 in 25 GP); he reached 40 points during his 45th contest in 2024-25. The Blackhawks forward has notched three or more points in a game six times this season, behind only MacKinnon (7).

SCHAEFER, ISLANDERS WELCOME STREAKING LIGHTNING TO UBS ARENA

Matthew Schaefer, fresh off 11 points during his 15 games in November, will be tasked with going head-to-head with Nikita Kucherov and the Lightning – winners of seven straight games dating to Nov. 18 and five straight road games dating to Nov. 6.

  • Schaefer has registered at least 25 minutes of time on ice in 11 of his first 26 career games, ahead of the next closest rookies Sam Rinzel (2x), Alexander Nikishin (1x) and Zeev Buium (1x), and has moved within striking distance of his 20th career point thanks to three straight outings with a point (8-11—19 in 26 GP). He can join Larry Murphy (19 GP in 1980-81) and Phil Housley (25 GP in 1982-83) as the third teenage defenseman in NHL history to register 20 career points in 27 games or fewer.
  • The Lightning, who have trailed for 63:21 during the seven-game win streak and just 5:38 in the past four contests, have earned an NHL-best 584 wins since Kucherov made his League debut in 2013-14. Meanwhile, a sixth straight road victory would match the second-longest road win streak in franchise history (5x; last: 2019-20), behind only 2006-07 (7 GP from Jan. 7 – Feb. 1, 2007).

Johnston, Hagel and Wilson Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston, Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brandon Hagel and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 30.

FIRST STAR – WYATT JOHNSTON, C, DALLAS STARS

Former Windsor Spitfire, Johnston compiled 5-4—9 in four games, bookended by a pair of four-point performances, to propel the Stars (17-5-4, 38 points) to a perfect week as they climbed into second place in the overall NHL standings. He registered 1-3—4, including his 100th career assist and 200th career point, in an 8-3 victory against the Edmonton Oilers Nov. 25. Johnston, who was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken Nov. 26, then potted the decisive goal (his 13th career game-winner) in a 4-3 triumph versus the Utah Mammoth Nov. 28. He capped the week with 3-1—4, his fourth career hat trick as well as his fourth career four-point effort, in a 6-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators Nov. 30. The 22-year-old Johnston, the 23rd overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft, sits third on Dallas with 16-14—30 through 26 total contests this season. He also paces the League in both power-play goals (12 – five more than the next-closest player) and power-play points (t-18) while ranking among the top performers in overall goals (t-4th; 16) and points (16th; 30).

SECOND STAR – BRANDON HAGEL, LW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Hagel topped the NHL with six goals in four contests (6-2—8), and shared the League lead with 17 shots on goal and a +9 rating, to lift the Lightning (16-7-2, 34 points) into first place in the Atlantic Division on the strength of a seven-game winning streak dating to Nov. 18. He notched 2-1—3, including the decisive goal, in a 3-0 triumph against the Philadelphia Flyers Nov. 24. Hagel then recorded 1-1—2 in a 5-1 win versus the Calgary Flames Nov. 26 before scoring once in a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings Nov. 28. He finished the week with a pair of goals, highlighted by his 19th career game-winner, in a 4-1 decision against the New York Rangers Nov. 29. The 27-year-old Hagel, a sixth-round pick (159th overall) from the 2016 NHL Draft (by BUF), places second on Tampa Bay with 15-12—27 through 24 total appearances this season, aided by a five-game goal/point streak dating to Nov. 22 (8-4—12). He also sits among the 2025-26 League leaders in game-winning goals (t-2nd; 4), even-strength goals (t-3rd; 13), goals (t-8th; 15) and plus/minus (t-9th; +16).

THIRD STAR – TOM WILSON, RW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Wilson totaled 4-4—8 across four games to power the Capitals (15-9-2, 32 points) into third place in the Metropolitan Division via a perfect week. He registered 1-1—2, including the decisive goal, in a 5-1 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets Nov. 24. Wilson then collected one assist in a 4-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Nov. 26, followed by 1-1—2 in a 4-2 win versus the Toronto Maple Leafs Nov. 28. He closed the week with 2-1—3, highlighted by his 30th career game-winning goal, in a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders Nov. 30 to move into eighth place on Washington’s all-time goals list. The 31-year-old Wilson, the 16th overall pick from the 2012 NHL Draft, paces the Capitals and ranks 19th in the entire League with 15-14—29 through 26 total contests this season. Wilson, who has assists/points in five straight games dating to Nov. 22 (4-5—9), also places among the 2025-26 leaders in shooting percentage (minimum: 1 SOG/GP – 6th; 26.3%), goals (t-8th; 15) and plus/minus (t-12th; +15).

GEICO’s “Fourth Star” program shines a spotlight on the fans who bring energy, passion and unwavering support to their teams. It feels good to go all in with the loudest, proudest fans. Click here to review last season’s “Fourth Star” of the month videos.

Wild’s Wallstedt Named NHL ‘Rookie of the Month’ for November

Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt, who went 6-0-0 with a League-best 1.14 goals-against average, .967 save percentage and three shutouts in six games, has been named the NHL’s “Rookie of the Month” for November.

Wallstedt edged San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov (8-2-0, 1.88 GAA, .947 SV%), Anaheim Ducks right wing Beckett Sennecke (4-10—14 in 15 GP), New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (5-6—11 in 15 GP) and Montreal Canadiens right wing Ivan Demidov (4-6—10 in 13 GP) for the honor.

Wallstedt, the 20th overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft, yielded two or fewer goals in five of his six appearances – highlighted by shutouts Nov. 9 vs. CGY (36 SV), Nov. 15 vs. ANA (28 SV) and Nov. 23 at WPG (32 SV). He posted a 175:12 shutout sequence from Nov. 7-19, a franchise rookie record and the longest by any rookie goaltender since John Gibson from Dec. 27, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016 (184:30 w/ ANA).

Wallstedt, who turned aside 202 of the 209 total shots he faced during the month, also made at least 25 saves in all six of his starts and at least 35 stops three times. That included a career-high 42 saves Nov. 19 vs. CAR, a single-game total topped by just one rookie goaltender in Minnesota history: Kaapo Kahkonen (44 SV on Dec. 3, 2019 at FLA).

The 23-year-old Wallstedt boasts a 7-0-2 record with a League-leading .938 save percentage and three shutouts through nine total appearances this season. His 1.93 goals-against average ranks second only to the Calgary Flames’ Devin Cooley (1.88 GAA).

Wallstedt is the sixth rookie goaltender in NHL history to compile a season-opening point streak of at least nine games, joining Pete Peeters (22-0-5 in 1979-80 w/ PHI), Bill Durnan (11-0-3 in 1943-44 w/ MTL), Ross Brooks (8-0-3 in 1972-73 w/ BOS), Bob Froese (9-0-1 in 1982-83 w/ PHI) and Robb Stauber (9-0-1 in 1992-93 w/ LAK).

Wallstedt, who joins Schaefer (October) as a “Rookie of the Month” winner in 2025-26, is the second player in Wild history to receive the honor, after defenseman Brock Faber in January 2024.

MacKinnon, Robertson and Bedard Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ for November

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of November.

FIRST STAR – NATHAN MacKINNON, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

MacKinnon ranked among the monthly leaders in even-strength points (1st; 20), plus/minus (1st; +20), points (t-1st; 26), even-strength assists (t-2nd; 11), goals (t-3rd; 11), even-strength goals (t-3rd; 9), assists (t-3rd; 15) and shots on goal (t-4th; 57) to power the Avalanche (18-1-6, 42 points) an 11-0-2 November (24 points) – their highest single-month point total since January 2022 (15-0-1, 31 points) – and the top of the NHL standings. MacKinnon found the scoresheet in 11 of his 13 outings, highlighted by seven multi-point performances. That included a run of three straight contests with at least three points from Nov. 8-11 (4-8—12), with MacKinnon’s 12 points over that span the most by a Colorado player since Peter Forsberg from Dec. 5-9, 1995 (also 4-8—12 in 3 GP). With 387-672—1,059 in 895 career games (all w/ COL), the 30-year-old MacKinnon now ranks among the top three in franchise history in goals, assists and points. The No. 1 overall pick from the 2013 NHL Draft, who has finished as the runner-up for the Art Ross Trophy in each of the past two campaigns, paces the NHL with 20-24—44 through 25 total appearances in 2025-26. MacKinnon also sits among this season’s League leaders in even-strength points (1st; 33), plus/minus (1st; +30), goals (t-1st; 20), even-strength goals (2nd; 14), even-strength assists (2nd; 19), assists (3rd; 24) and shots on goal (3rd; 108).

SECOND STAR – JASON ROBERTSON, LW, DALLAS STARS

Robertson topped the NHL in goals (13) and points (t-26) across 15 contests to propel the Stars (17‑5-4, 38 points) to an 11-2-2 November (24 points) – equaling their most points in a calendar month this century, after March 2025 (11-2-2), February 2008 (12-2-0) and March 2001 (11-2-2) – and second place in the overall League standings. Robertson also finished among the monthly leaders in shots on goal (1st; 62), power-play points (t-2nd; 10), power-play assists (t-3rd; 7), power-play goals (t-6th; 3), assists (t-9th; 13) and plus/minus (t-12th; +12). He scored in nine of his 15 appearances, highlighted by a career-high seven straight games from Nov. 11-25 (11-6—17) – the longest goal streak by a Stars player since the team relocated to Dallas in 1993-94 and tied for the second-longest in franchise history. Robertson additionally produced eight multi-point performances, including three consecutive three-point efforts from Nov. 11-15 (6-3—9) and 1-2—3 in his 400th career game (all w/ DAL) and final outing of the month, Nov. 30 vs. OTT. The 26-year-old Robertson, a second-round pick (39th overall) from the 2017 NHL Draft, places sixth in the League with 16-19—35 through 26 total contests this season. He also ranks among the top 2025-26 performers in shots on goal (2nd; 109), power-play points (t-3rd; 15), goals (t-5th; 16) and power-play assists (t-5th; 10).

THIRD STAR – CONNOR BEDARD, C, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Bedard finished third in the League with 10-13—23 in 14 games to lift the Blackhawks (11-9-5, 27 points) within one point of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference via a 6-5-3 November. Only one other Chicago skater has recorded as many points in a single calendar month this century: Patrick Kane (6x, most recently March 2022: 5-21—26 in 14 GP). Bedard, who factored on more than half of the Blackhawks’ 44 November goals (52.3%), also placed among the monthly leaders in power-play assists (t-5th; 6), goals (t-6th; 10), power-play points (t-6th; 8), assists (t-9th; 13) and shots on goal (t-11th; 52). He found the scoresheet in 10 of his 14 appearances, including a quartet of games with at least three points: Nov. 7 at CGY (1-3—4), Nov. 9 at DET (1-2—3), Nov. 18 vs. CGY (3-0—3) and Nov. 30 vs. ANA (2-2—4). The 20-year-old Bedard, the No. 1 overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft, sits among the League leaders in points (3rd; 37), goals (t-5th; 16) and assists (t-9th; 21) through 25 total contests in 2025-26.

Guest Writer