NHL Review November 13, 2021
OVECHKIN OVERTAKES HULL FOR FOURTH ON NHL’S ALL-TIME GOALS LIST
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (1-1—2) scored the 742nd goal of his NHL career to overtake Brett Hull (741) for sole possession of fourth place on the League’s all-time list.
- At 36 years and 56 days, Ovechkin became the second-youngest player at the time of his 742nd career goal behind only Wayne Gretzky (31 years, 22 days on Feb. 17, 1992). Gordie Howe was 41 years and 250 days when he notched No. 742 on Dec. 6, 1969, while Jaromir Jagr hit the mark at 44 years and five days on Feb. 20, 2016.
- Among the four leading goal scorers in NHL history, Ovechkin (68 GP) required the fewest games to go from No. 700 to No. 742. Howe needed 80 games to go from one to the other, fewer than both Gretzky (94 GP) and Jagr (155 GP).
- ICYMI: Hull offered his congratulations and wished Ovechkin continued success in his ascent of the League’s all-time goals list.
MORE HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIDAY
- Dylan Cozens recorded the first multi-goal outing of his NHL career as the Sabres stymied the Western Conference-leading Oilers to snap a five-game slide (0-4-1).
- Auston Matthews scored his eighth career regular-season overtime goal and moved past Tomas Kaberle for sole possession of the second most in Toronto Maple Leafs history. Mats Sundin paces the franchise with 14.
- Connor McDavid found the score sheet for the 13th time in as many games this season and now needs just one regular-season point for 600 in his NHL career.
HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT CARRIED SIGNIFICANCE FOR LARSEN
After facing melanoma and testicular cancer, Hockey Fights Cancer night at Nationwide Arena Friday had a special meaning for Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen.
NASHVILLE, COLORADO SET FOR HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHTS
Two more arenas will be coated in lavender when the Predators (8-5-1, 17 points) and Avalanche (5-5-1, 11 points) host their Hockey Fights Cancer nights Saturday in matchups against the Coyotes (1-12-1, 3 points) and Sharks (7-5-1, 15 points), respectively.
- Nashville returns from a six-game road trip which spanned from Nov. 2-11, with Predators forward Matt Duchene scoring an NHL-leading six goals over that stretch (tied). Duchene (8-6—14 in 14 GP) can become the third different player in franchise history with nine or more goals through 15 games played in a season, joining Filip Forsberg (10 in 2018-19 & 9 in 2019-20) and Sergei Krivokrasov (9 in 1998-99).
- San Jose defenseman Brent Burns brings a six-game point streak into Saturday’s contest at Ball Arena (1-8—9). Burns (218-517—735 in 1,182 GP) also needs two regular-season goals to move into a share of 17th place on the NHL’s all-time list among defensemen, which is currently occupied by Sergei Gonchar (who also had a lengthy point streak in the latter half of his 30s).
KINGS TAKE NHL’S LONGEST ACTIVE WIN STREAK INTO WINNIPEG
The Kings (8-5-1, 17 points), who have earned wins in each of their last seven games, wrap up their Canada road trip in Winnipeg and can join the Hurricanes (9-0-0) and Panthers (8-0-0) as the third team to string together at least eight consecutive victories in 2021-22.