NHL Review – January 17, 2022

HUGHES, DEMKO HELP CANUCKS EARN WIN SUNDAY
Quinn Hughes (0-2—2) factored on two of Vancouver’s four goals to record his 30th point of the season (2-28—30 in 37 GP) and Thatcher Demko made 31 saves to earn his 50th career win (50-45-5) as the Canucks snapped a three-game slide. Since he entered the NHL in 2018-19, Hughes leads all Vancouver players with 22 multi-assist games.

• Demko (103 GP) required the fourth-fewest games to reach 50 career wins with the Canucks, trailing only Roberto Luongo (81 GP), Cory Schneider (88 GP) and Dan Cloutier (102 GP).

OVECHKIN CLIMBS LEAGUE’S ALL-TIME POINTS LIST
On Sunday, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored to boost his 2021-22 totals to 26-28—54 (39 GP) and tied Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (26-28—54 in 35 GP) for the most goals and points in the NHL. The last time Ovechkin led the League in points (outright or tied) at this stage of a season or later was through games played March 20, 2015.

Marchand, Fleury and Kucherov Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week
Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Jan. 16, 2022.

FIRST STAR – BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand recorded multiple points in each of his four outings, pacing the NHL with six goals, 10 points and five power-play points (2-3—5) to help the Bruins (22-11-2, 46 points) extend their winning streak to five games dating to Jan. 8. He opened the week with consecutive three-point performances, collecting 2-1—3 in a 7-3 triumph over the Washington Capitals Jan. 10, followed by his fifth career hat trick – including the game-winning goal – in a 5-1 victory against the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 12. Marchand then added two assists in a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Jan. 13 and 1-1—2 in a 4-3 overtime victory against the Nashville Predators Jan. 15. In doing so, he matched a career high with multiple points in five straight games (dating to Jan. 8: 8-4—12) and became the third player in Boston history to reach the 20-goal milestone in at least 11 seasons (also Johnny Bucyk: 16x and Patrice Bergeron: 12x). The 33-year-old Halifax, N.S., native has appeared in 30 total contests this season, ranking among the League leaders in shorthanded goals (t-3rd; 2), power-play points (5th; 17), points per game (6th; 1.43), goals (t‑7th; 20), points (8th; 43) and power-play assists (t-10th; 11).

SECOND STAR – MARC-ANDRE FLEURY, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Fleury turned aside 88 of the 92 shots he faced, compiling a 3-0-0 record, 1.32 goals-against average, .957 save percentage and one shutout to backstop the Blackhawks (15-18-5, 35 points) to a perfect week and their fourth consecutive win dating to Jan. 8. Fleury yielded two goals in each of his first two starts, making 24 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets Jan. 11 and 27 stops in a 3‑2 overtime triumph against the Montreal Canadiens Jan. 13. He capped the week with 37 saves on 37 shots in a 3-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks Jan. 15, becoming the 14th goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 70 career shutouts. The 37-year-old Sorel, Que., native and reigning Vezina Trophy winner has played in 26 total games this season, going 13-11-2 with a 2.73 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and three shutouts.

THIRD STAR – NIKITA KUCHEROV, RW, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Kucherov registered 3-4—7 in three contests to power the Lightning (26-9-5, 57 points) to a trio of wins, helping them keep pace with the Florida Panthers (26-7-5, 57 points) for first place both in the Atlantic Division and overall NHL standings. Kucherov notched his fourth career hat trick – and first since March 23, 2017 (at BOS) – in a 6-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres Jan. 11. He then posted two assists in each of his next two games, a 4-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks Jan. 13 and a 3-1 win over the Dallas Stars Jan. 15. The 28-year-old Maykop, Russia, native has collected 4-9—13 in eight total appearances this season, including 3-6—9 in five games since returning from injury Jan. 6.

FIVE NHL MATINEES FEATURED ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
A total of 16 teams are in action as Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in the United States, with the eight-game slate opening at 1 p.m. ET when the Sabres welcome the Detroit Red Wings to KeyBank Center. In other news, the Red Wings reassigned goaltender Kaden Fulcher to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins from the team’s taxi squad.

BEST OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE IN ACTION MONDAY

Monday is set to feature each of the six top teams in the Western Conference, including the Avalanche (24-8-3, 51 points) and Predators (24-12-3, 51 points) who are neck-and-neck for first place. Colorado and Nashville are both one win shy of 25 on the season, with the former able to reach the mark in the fewest games in franchise history – the Avalanche’s current best is 37 contests, set by the Quebec Nordiques in 1994-95 and matched last season.

• Colorado’s Nazem Kadri (14-35—49 in 32 GP) can become the fifth player in the NHL to record 50 points this season. It would be the fourth time he has reached the mark in his career (2013-14, 2016-17 & 2017-18 all w/ TOR) and his first in an Avalanche uniform.
• Nashville’s Roman Josi enters Monday one point shy of 40 on the season (13-26—39 in 37 GP). He can require the fewest games by a defenseman in Predators history to reach 40 points in a campaign, a mark he previously set in 2019-20 (39 GP).

BLUES TO RETIRE PRONGER’S No. 44 DURING PRE-GAME CEREMONY
St. Louis is set to retire the No. 44 of longtime Blues defenseman and former team captain Chris Pronger prior to their game against the Predators Monday.

• Pronger was traded by the Hartford Whalers to St. Louis for Brendan Shanahan on July 27, 1995 and was one of seven future Hockey Hall of Famers to appear in at least one game for the Blues during the ensuing campaign (also Glenn Anderson, Grant Fuhr, Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, Brett Hull & Al MacInnis).
• Pronger skated a total of nine seasons with St. Louis from 1995-96 to 2003-04 and occupies third place on the franchise’s all-time lists for goals (84), assists (272) and points (356) by Blues defensemen, trailing only MacInnis and Alex Pietrangelo in each category. Pronger had 14-48—62 in 79 games with a League-leading +52 during the 1999-00 campaign en route to winning the Hart Memorial Trophy and James Norris Memorial Trophy.