Nikita Kucherov surpassed Mikko Rantanen in the NHL scoring race, a couple used PPG Paints Arena as a wedding venue, Anton Khudobin made some history for the Dallas Stars, Andrei Vasilevskiy showed us once again why he’s one of the game’s top goalies, Brent Burns played in his 1000th career game, and Dylan Larkin extended the longest active point streak in the NHL following a brief Christmas break.
Here are six things we learned in the NHL on a Thursday that featured 13 games on the ice.
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Kucherov has put together a tremendous 20-game run
The NHL finally has a fresh face at the top of the league’s scoring list.
With another super-human effort — his second consecutive game registering at least four points — Kucherov became the first player this season to collect 60 points. In doing so, he also knocked off Colorado Avalanche winger Rantanen (59 points) from the top spot in NHL scoring.
Kucherov wound up finishing the night with 61 points. The 25-year-old has been sizzling hot for the league-best Lightning, averaging 2.17 points per contest in December. He’s also put together five multi-point efforts during his ongoing nine-game point streak.
Oh, and there’s this:
Shortly after Kucherov reached the mark, Rantanen became the second player this season to tally 60 points when he assisted on Avalanche teammate J.T. Compher’s first-period goal against the Arizona Coyotes.
Getting married during an intermission is different, but awesome
In-game proposal videos circulate across social media every so often. Sometimes these clips go viral because they make your heart melt. On more unfortunate occasions, a clip circulates because it’s downright embarrassing.
On Thursday, a couple of Pittsburgh Penguins fans took matters a step further, one-upping a simple in-game proposal by getting married during the first period intermission at PPG Paints Arena.
These newlyweds did their best to redefine what it means to be die-hard hockey fans, vowing to love each other through “penalties and playoffs” during the ceremony.
After an in-game marriage — thankfully a ceremony more heart-warming than it was embarrassing — this bride and groom ensured they won’t be forgotten any time soon by Penguins fans.
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Khudobin’s name deserving of Stars’ record books
Dallas Stars netminder Khudobin had recorded six shutouts during his 10-year NHL career prior to his matchup against the Nashville Predators. On Thursday night, Khudobin recorded his seventh career shutout, an effort that turned out to be the journeyman’s greatest performance yet.
Khudobin turned aside 49 shots against Nashville, a team welcoming back two of its top offensive weapons in Viktor Arvidsson and P.K. Subban. In doing so, Khudobin also shattered the previous franchise record for most saves made in a shutout (41), a record held by Cesare Maniago since 1970.
The 32-year-old also became only the 13th goaltender since 1955 to record a shutout victory which featured 49 or more saves.
Talk about having a game to remember…
Vasilevskiy’s puck-stopping ability is otherworldly
You’d think after gifting us with a save of the year candidate a mere two weeks ago, it’d be a while before Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Vasilevskiy amazed the hockey world with another spectacular save.
Guess again.
Vasilevskiy added yet another jaw-dropping sequence to his highlight-reel, denying Philadelphia Flyers’ forward Wayne Simmonds, then kicking his leg back to intercept a puck bound for the back of the Lightning’s open net.
Even though they possess the top offensive unit in hockey, a squad of the Lightning’s calibre showed they still appreciate when their sensational goaltender lends a helping hand.
Without that miraculous series of saves from Vasilevskiy, Tampa Bay may not have escaped with a win that extended its point streak to 13 games.
Burns ranks amongst NHL’s greatest defencemen at 1,000-game mark
After appearing in the San Jose Sharks’ tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, Burns became the 111th defenceman (and 331st player) in league history to skate in 1,000 career games. At this point of his career, it’s fair to say Burns already has a resumé that matches up against some of hockey’s all-time great defencemen.
With a Norris Trophy on his resume, Burns also ranks 37th all-time amongst defencemen in career points (601), despite 109 other blue-liners having played more career games than him.
It’s worth noting Burns’ statistical output is partially attributed to the Barrie, Ont., native playing as a forward early in his career. He’s occupied the blue line regularly since being acquired by the Sharks in 2010, only playing the wing on rare occasions.
Larkin is in the midst of a breakout season
Red Wings centre Larkin picked up right where he left off prior to the NHL’s brief holiday break, roofing a puck home past Penguins goaltender Matt Murray in the opening period to extend his point streak to 12 games.
Larkin’s goal was his 16th of the season, and helped the 22-year-old match his goal-scoring output from the entire 2017-18 campaign. The fact he did so in less than half the amount of games speaks volumes.
During the point streak — the longest of his career so far — Larkin has recorded 15 points (six goals, nine assists), continuing to showcase his improved skill-set in what’s proving to be a breakout season for the fourth-year pro.
Unfortunately the American’s impressive point production hasn’t translated to more wins for Detroit, with the Red Wings playing to a 3-6-3 record since Larkin’s streak got underway.
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