NHL Review December 13, 2021

GOLDEN KNIGHTS OUTLAST WILD WITH SIX-GOAL OUTBURST
The trio of Chandler Stephenson (0-4—4), Max Pacioretty (1-2—3) and Mark Stone (1-2—3) ignited the Vegas offense as the Golden Knights (16-11-0, 32 points) scored at least six goals for the second time this month and defeated the Western Conference-leading Wild (19-8-1, 39 points). Colorado (3) is the only team with more six-goal outings than Vegas since Dec. 1.

• Pacioretty and Stone both extended their point streaks to eight contests, one shy of Alex Tuch’s franchise-record nine-game run during the 2018-19 campaign. Pacioretty, meanwhile, pushed his goal streak to six consecutive games – the longest by a Golden Knights player in team history and tied for the lengthiest of his career (also 6 GP in 2014-15 w/ MTL).
• The 2021-22 campaign marks the fourth in the last 26 years to feature at least three players with 10 or more goals through their first 10 games of a season, joining 2018-19 (3: Elias Pettersson, David Pastrnak & Auston Matthews), 2006-07 (3: Martin Havlat, Chris Drury & Marian Hossa) and 1995-96 (5: Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr, Alexander Mogilny, Tomas Sandstrom & Brian Savage).

BURAKOVSKY PROPELS AVALANCHE TO ANOTHER VICTORY AT BALL ARENA
In a contest between two of the NHL’s three highest-scoring teams, Andre Burakovsky (3-0—3) netted his first career hat trick, and his second multi-goal game in as many outings, to lead the Avalanche (16-7-2, 34 points) to their seventh consecutive victory at Ball Arena – three shy of the longest home win streak in franchise history.

• Burakovsky, with the NHL’s 30th hat trick of the season and seventh in the month of December, has scored multiple goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Only three players in Avalanche/Nordiques history extended their streak to three contests: Joe Sakic (3 GP in 2002-03 & 1999-00), Michel Goulet (3 GP in 1984-85) and Peter Stastny (3 GP in 1982-83).

PREDATORS, CANUCKS SURVIVE ONE-GOAL GAMES TO EXTEND WIN STREAKS
The Predators (17-10-1, 35 points) and Canucks (12-15-2, 26 points) each edged out their opposition Sunday to extend their win streaks to five and four games, respectively. While Nashville owns the NHL’s longest active win streak, Bruce Boudreau became the first coach in Canucks history to earn a victory in each of his first four contests with the franchise.

TERRY’S PENALTY-SHOT OT GOAL

A five-game Sunday in the NHL saw Troy Terry score twice, including the tying goal and the overtime winner on a penalty shot, as the Ducks (16-9-5, 37 points) halted the Blues’ home winning streak to move atop the Pacific Division.

KANE EYES 700TH ASSIST WHEN BLACKHAWKS HOST FLAMES
The NHL’s only game Monday will pit the Flames (15-7-6, 36 points) against the Blackhawks (10-15-2, 22 points), with Patrick Kane (411-699—1,110) one helper shy of becoming the League’s fifth active player to collect 700 career assists and the third player to hit the milestone with the franchise.

Flames Games Postponed At Least Through Dec. 16

As a result of six Calgary Flames Players and one staff member entering the NHL’s COVID Protocol within a 24-hour period, concern with continued spread, and the likelihood of additional positive cases in the coming days, the team’s games will be postponed at least through Thursday, Dec. 16. The decision was made following consultation by the NHL’s, the NHLPA’s and Club’s medical groups.

As an appropriate precaution, the team’s training facilities have been closed, effective immediately, and will remain closed for Players until further notice. The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the Flames regular season schedule.

The Flames organization has followed, and will continue to follow, all recommended guidelines aimed at protecting the health and safety of its Players, staff and community at large as set by the NHL, local, provincial and national agencies.

Demko, Aho and Toews Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Dec. 12, 2021.

FIRST STAR – THATCHER DEMKO, G, VANCOUVER CANUCKS

Demko went 4-0-0 with a 1.20 goals-against average, .962 save percentage and one shutout to help the Canucks (12-15-2, 26 points) win their first four games under new head coach Bruce Boudreau. Demko earned his second career shutout (also March 1, 2021 at WPG: 27 SV) with 31 saves in a 4-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings Dec. 6. He then registered consecutive shootout victories, denying 35 shots (as well as both he faced in the tiebreaker) in 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins Dec. 8 and making 34 saves (plus another three in the shootout) in a 4-3 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 10. Demko finished the week by turning aside 28-of-29 shots in a 2-1 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 12. The 26-year-old San Diego, Calif., native has played in 24 total games this season, compiling a 12-11-1 record, 2.66 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and one shutout.

SECOND STAR – SEBASTIAN AHO, C, CAROLINA HURRICANES

Aho collected multiple points in each of his three appearances, sharing the League lead with five goals and placing second with seven points (5-2—7) to lift the Hurricanes (19-7-1, 39 points) to a 3-1-0 week. Aho posted 1-1—2, his third consecutive multi-point game, in a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Dec. 7. He then scored twice, including his franchise record-tying sixth career overtime goal, in a 2-1 triumph against the Calgary Flames Dec. 9. Aho capped the week with 2-1—3 in a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers Dec. 11, making him the first Hurricanes/Whalers player since 1993-94 with multiple points in five straight games (Michael Nylander: 1-10—11 in 5 GP). The 24-year-old Rauma, Finland, native has skated in 26 total contests this season, ranking sixth in the NHL with 15-17—32.

THIRD STAR – DEVON TOEWS, D, COLORADO AVALANCHE

Toews topped the League with seven assists in four outings (0-7—7) to propel the Avalanche (16-7-2, 34 points) to a perfect week. He recorded a pair of helpers in both a 7-5 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers Dec. 6 and a 7-3 win over the New York Rangers Dec. 8. Toews then matched a career high with three assists (also March 16, 2021 vs. ANA: 0-3—3) in a 7-3 triumph against the Detroit Red Wings Dec. 10 before being held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 win over the League-leading Florida Panthers Dec. 12. The 27-year-old Abbotsford, B.C., native has appeared in 16 total contests this season, pacing NHL defensemen (minimum: 5 GP) with 1.25 points per game (4-16—20).