(All opinions expressed in this article are my own. Stats are recorded as of 11/20/2024.)
If the NHL had a record for the most milestones reached in a week, there’s a good chance it would have been broken this past week. In this edition of NHL Recap, let’s highlight the biggest milestones reached in the past few days.
MCDAVID REACHES 1,000 CAREER POINTS
We all knew Connor McDavid would make waves in the league when he was drafted first overall in the 2015 NHL entry draft, but I’m not sure if anyone realized just how quickly he would explode onto the scene. At just age 27, McDavid reached 1,000 career points on Nov. 14 against the Nashville Predators, becoming the fifth-youngest player to do so.
McDavid and the Oilers’ offense has continued to be a problem for the rest of the league, placing them sixth in the Western Conference with 22 points on the season.
VASILEVSKIY GETS 300 CAREER WINS
Also on Nov. 14, Andrei Vasilevskiy led the Lightning to a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets to earn his 300th career win. Reaching the milestone in only 490 games, he broke the previous record of 521 games and became the 40th goalie all-time to reach the landmark. This is just one piece of his illustrious career, which also includes two Stanley Cups, a Vezina Trophy (awarded to the best goaltender) and a Conn Smythe Trophy (awarded to the MVP of the Stanley Cup Playoffs).
The Lightning are currently 10-6-1 with 21 points on the season.
JOSI REACHES 700 CAREER POINTS
The Predators’ 5-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Nov. 17 came at a much-needed time for the team. It’s no secret that the Preds have had an unexpected start to the season to say the least, but Sunday’s win at Rogers Arena was the full-team victory they’ve needed all season. Zach L’Heureux recorded his first NHL goal, and shortly after Steven Stamkos passed NHL legend Jaromir Jagr for the 11th most power play goals in league history (after playing game 1,100 of his career on Nov. 15).
Arguably the biggest milestone from the Preds’ performance was captain Roman Josi reaching 700 career points, the first Swiss player to do so. Josi claimed the Norris Trophy (awarded to the best defensemen) in 2020 and has consistently been one of the most productive defensemen in the league, both in points and through generating chances on the ice.
OVECHKIN SCORES 31ST CAREER HAT TRICK
Remember the last recap when I said to never underestimate Ovechkin? This is why.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 31st career hat trick on Nov. 17 in a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. He then proceeded to net two more goals the next day in a 6-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. Ovechkin was primed for another hat trick but was injured in the third period after a collision with Utah’s Jack McBane. The Capitals have released that Ovechkin will be out week-to-week with a lower leg injury. I still believe that Ovechkin can pass Gretzky’s goal record this season, assuming his return to play is as consistent as it is right now.
SEGUIN REACHES 800 POINTS
If you haven’t figured it out yet, Nov. 14 was a big day for NHL milestones.
Tyler Seguin reached 800 career points during the Stars’ 7-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Nov. 14. Seguin has been a staple of the Stars’ offense for years, and his consistent production is part of what makes the Stars so dangerous to opposing teams. When you combine the Stars’ strong offense with an elite goaltender like Jake Oettinger, you’re going to get a dominant team that will fight for a win any way they can get it.
The Stars are currently sixth in the Western Conference with 22 points on the season.
