It was a busy night in the NHL with 13 games ahead of a dark day on the schedule Thursday for Thanksgiving in the United States.
The Canadiens bested the Rangers but lost the league’s reigning most valuable player in the process, Blackhawks’ Patrick Kane took sole possession atop the scoring race, and Penguins’ Sidney Crosby flashed some of that offensive prowess that’s eluded him through the first quarter of the season.
Here are five things we learned in the NHL Wednesday.
Kane’s streak reached 17 games
Patrick Kane tallied two assists in a 5-2 win over the San Jose Sharks to run his point-scoring streak to 17 games. He could tie Denis Savard and Clint Smith for the third longest streaks in Blackhawks (or Black Hawks if we’re being historically accurate) franchise history in Anaheim Friday.
Kane also moved into a tie for the third longest scoring streak by an American-born player.
Canadiens lose Price again
Carey Price‘s return from a lower-body injury lasted two games and change. The 28-year-old goaltender left the Canadiens’ 5-1 win over the New York Rangers following the second period and did not return.
Price appeared to re-aggravate the previous injury on a non-contact play during the second frame when he was sliding across his crease.
Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien indicated that Price will not play Friday versus the New Jersey Devils. Backup Mike Condon was sharp in relief of Price. Expect a goaltender to be recalled Thursday.
Crosby has scored a goal against 29 NHL teams
Entering Wednesday night, Sidney Crosby had scored a goal against every NHL team but one: The St. Louis Blues.
Crosby finally potted one versus the Blues late in the first period when he blasted the puck past Jake Allen. Never had a chance.
The Penguins captain was caught in the middle of some controversy earlier on Wednesday when Matthew Barnaby reported that there had been “a big falling out between Mario [Lemieux] and Crosby.” Crosby responded with his first multi-goal game of the season, then addressed Barnaby’s comments following the game.
Datsyuk joined some very good company
Detroit came out on the losing end in its meeting with the Boston Bruins Wednesday, but forward Pavel Datsyuk effectively etched his name in another chapter of Red Wings lore with his second-period goal.
Datsyuk’s second goal of the season was the 300th of his career, which allowed him to join a list that includes several former Red Wings Hall of Famers who totalled 300 goals, 500 assists and 800 points.
Predators ended a franchise-record goalless drought
It turns out a three-game goal scoring drought was all the Nashville Predators could stomach.
Mike Fisher put an end to a Predators franchise-record scoreless streak at 13:52 of the first period versus the Buffalo Sabres Wednesday.
The Predators halted a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Sabres.
