Anze Kopitar scored the game-winning goal in front of his mother, Mateja, who was on hand for the final Moms Trip of her son’s 20-season career.
* Nazem Kadri helped the Flames forge seven goals in their victory Monday, which marked the third straight day where a team scored as many.
* Tuesday’s 10-game slate is capped by the second half of an NHL on TNT doubleheader featuring Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche, who look to become the first 50-point player and team this season.
Kopitar, Matthews continue to approach Dionne, Sundin atop franchise lists
Anze Kopitar and Auston Matthews found the back of the net in wins as the former continues to approach Marcel Dionne for the most points in Kings history and the latter closes in on Mats Sundin atop the Maple Leafs’ all-time goals list:
* Kopitar reached 1,293 career points with his mother, Mateja, in attendance at Delta Center as part of Los Angeles’ Moms Trip and moved within 15 of dethroning Dionne (1,307). The younger Kopitar extended his franchise record for most game-winning goals (79) and passed Peter Bondra as well as Steve Thomas (both w/ 78) for the 11th most in NHL history among players born outside North America. Thomas was born in Stockport, England, but raised in Markham, Ont.
* Matthews scored his 413th career goal to climb within eight of surpassing Sundin (420) as Toronto extended its point streak to five games (4-0-1 since Nov. 29). Dennis Hildeby turned aside all 29 shots he faced – including two by Lightning star Nikita Kucherov – to record his first career shutout, while Morgan Rielly recorded his 17th game winner to pass Hap Day and Tomas Kaberle (both w/ 16) for second place on the franchise’s all-time list among defensemen.
FLAMES SCORE SEVEN IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
The Flames accounted for a number of notes in #NHLStats: Live Updates on Monday as they scored seven goals in a game for the first time since Nov. 24, 2023 and extended their home point streak to six contests (5-0-1). Calgary accounted for the third straight day of a team scoring seven times after Florida did so Saturday and Anaheim on Sunday.
QUICK CLICKS
* NHL receives ‘positive reports’ on Olympic rink progress
* Ilya Sorokin, Jake Oettinger, Carter Verhaeghe named NHL’s “Three Stars” of the Week
* Connor Bedard has taken ‘massive step forward’ this season, Blackhawks GM says
* Gavin McKenna, projected No. 1 pick of 2026 Draft, tops Canada World Junior camp roster
* Countdown to Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 now at 59 days
MacKINNON, AVALANCHE CLOSE IN ON 50-POINT MARK DURING TNT DOUBLEHEADER
Tuesday’s 10-game slate includes an NHL on TNT doubleheader as Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders (16-11-3, 35 points) host the Golden Knights (14-6-8, 36 points) before the Predators (10-14-4, 24 points) welcome Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche (21-2-6, 48 points), who can become the first player and team to reach 50 points this season.
* Schaefer (8-13—21 in 30 GP) remains in pursuit of the NHL’s rookie scoring lead and sits three points back of Anaheim forward Beckett Sennecke (9-15—24 in 29 GP). The Islanders defenseman needs two goals to become the third blueliner in League history to post a double-digit goal total at age 18 (single season or career), following Phil Housley (17 in 1982-83) and Bobby Orr (13 in 1966-67).
* MacKinnon, set to become the fourth player in Avalanche/Nordiques history to skate in 900 career games, enters Tuesday as the League leader in both goals and points (24-25—49 in 29 GP). MacKinnon – currently tied with Joe Sakic (391) for the most goals in team history (since 1995-96) – can become the second-faster skater in team history to hit the 50-point mark in a campaign. The record is held by Peter Forsberg (29 GP in 1995-96).
* Colorado has led the overall League standings for 37 consecutive days since Nov. 1 and can establish its highest win total through 30 games in a season (also 21 in 30 GP in 2013-14, 2000-01 & 1994-95).
* Ryan O’Reilly (9-12—21 in 28 GP) is currently leading the Predators in scoring and has been a leader in the community throughout his 17-season NHL career. O’Reilly, who was Nashville’s King Clancy nominee last season, says he’s happiest when he’s involved in improving outcomes for other people, from foster kids to community leaders and other causes closer to his heart. Last May, O’Reilly penned a blog post on NHL.com explaining his advocacy for foster care.
You must be logged in to post a comment.