* Steven Stamkos recorded his first career four-goal performance and Nikita Kucherov became the first player in 2023-24 to reach 50 points as the Lightning put up seven goals and ended the Oilers’ winning streak at eight games.
* Kent Johnson capped off his first career multi-goal game with the overtime winner as the Blue Jackets fended off a wild five-goal, third-period comeback from the Maple Leafs en route to a first-of-its-kind win.
* The Golden Knights (6-0-3) and Islanders (6-0-1) will look to extend their respective point streaks during Friday’s doubleheader on TVA Sports.
STAMKOS STEALS THE SHOW WITH FOUR GOALS WHILE KUCHEROV HITS 50 POINTS
It was a contest that seemed to have it all – Steven Stamkos opened the scoring to reach a milestone, the Oilers overcame a multi-goal deficit to enter the third period looking like they would extend their winning streak, before the Lightning captain tallied three in the final frame for his first career four-goal game. In the end Tampa Bay secured its second seven-goal outing of the season, Nikita Kucherov (1-2—3) became the first player to reach the 50-point mark in 2023-24 and Andrei Vasilevskiy (53 saves) recorded his third 50-plus save performance.
* Stamkos scored his 200th power-play goal and joined Alex Ovechkin (300) as the second active player to reach the milestone. He also became the 20th player in NHL history to record as many and the seventh to do so with a single franchise.
* Stamkos joined Brock Boeser (Oct. 11, 2023) as the second player this season to score four goals and tied the franchise record for most in a game – a feat both Martin St. Louis (4-0—4 on Jan. 18, 2014) and Chris Kontos (4-0—4 on Oct. 7, 1992) have accomplished. He also added to the Hockey Fights Cancer Fund of the V Foundation as AstraZeneca will donate $5,000 for his hat trick. Click here for more information.
* Kucherov improved his season totals to 20-30—50 to establish a new Lightning record for most points through 30 games of a campaign and became the fourth active player to record 50 points through 30, joining Connor McDavid (4x; fewest: 27 GP), Leon Draisaitl (3x; fewest: 29 GP) and Sidney Crosby (2x; fewest: 28 GP).
BLUE JACKETS QUELL LEAFS’ COMEBACK ATTEMPT TO EARN FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND WIN
The Blue Jackets looked to be cruising to victory after building a 5-0 lead through 40 minutes of play until the Maple Leafs responded with five unanswered goals in the third period to send the game to overtime. However, Kent Johnson (2-1—3) put an end to Toronto’s potentially historic rally, netting the winner and helping Columbus earn a first-of-its-kind victory.
* The Blue Jackets became the first team in NHL history to earn a win after surrendering a five-goal, third-period lead. Had the Maple Leafs completed their comeback, they would have become the fourth team in League history to claim a victory after overcoming a five-goal, third-period deficit (regular season or playoffs), following the Blues on Nov. 29, 2000, Flames on Jan. 26, 1987 and Kings during the “Miracle on Manchester” in Game 3 of the 1982 Division Semifinals.
* Johnson (21 years, 57 days) scored his second career overtime goal (also Jan. 25 at EDM). Only two Blue Jackets players have recorded more before turning 22: Pierre-Luc Dubois (4) and Rick Nash (3).
PAIR OF PACIFIC DIVISION TEAMS EARN WINS THURSDAY
The Kraken and Canucks each picked up big wins Thursday, with the latter doing so in the company of a club legend.
* Oliver Bjorkstrand (1-2—3) recorded his third three-point outing of the season – two more than anyone else on Seattle – as the Kraken put up seven goals for the third time in 2023-24 en route to victory (also 7 on Oct. 19 vs. CAR & Nov. 22 vs. SJS). Seattle surpassed Arizona, Colorado, Dallas, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Vancouver for sole possession of the most seven-plus goal games this season.
* Brock Boeser scored one of four Vancouver goals Thursday and became the fifth player in Canucks history with at least 22 tallies through 30 games in a season. Meanwhile Thatcher Demko earned his League-leading 15th win of 2023-24 via his sixth career shutout and equaled the seventh most in franchise history – a list topped by Roberto Luongo (38), who was honored during a pre-game ceremony as he became the newest member inducted into Vancouver’s Ring of Honour.
BOUCHARD, McDAVID EXTENDING POINT STREAKS FEATURED IN LIVE UPDATES
Thursday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the eight-game slate, including Oilers teammates Evan Bouchard (5-15—20 in 13 GP) and Connor McDavid (7-20—27 in 11 GP) extending their lengthy point streaks as well as former Edmonton defenseman Drew Bannister becoming the eighth bench boss in Blues history to earn a win in his NHL head coaching debut.
QUICK CLICKS
Hall of Fame goalie Roberto Luongo inducted into Canucks Ring of Honor
NHL Buzz: Jeff Skinner placed on injured reserve by Sabres
Ryan McDonagh ‘all in’ for Predators on, off ice
Goalies turn to virtual reality to supplement on-ice work
NHL to host free outdoor fan festival in Seattle as prelude to 2024 Discover NHL Winter Classic
FRIDAY FEATURES GAMES ON ESPN+, HULU, SPORTSNET AND TVA SPORTS
Friday’s six-game slate is highlighted by the Predators-Hurricanes on ESPN+ and Hulu, Bruins-Islanders on Sportsnet and TVA Sports as well as the Sabres-Golden Knights on TVA Sports.
