The Kings enter the game having allowed an NHL-worst 244 goals in 51 games and are last in the Smythe Division at 14-27 with 10 ties. But goalie
Markus Mattsson
, playing in his second game after being recalled from the minors eight days earlier, is perfect through two periods before allowing two third-period goals on which Gretzky is not involved. He plays almost all of the final five minutes in an attempt to keep the streak alive, but the oilers don't score again against Mattsson.
Gretzky finishes the streak with 153 points (61 goals, 92 assists) in 51 games. Counting the final nine games of the previous season, he's had points in 60 consecutive regular-season games since March 11, 1983.
MORE MOMENTS
1918:
Joe Malone
extends his goal-scoring streak to 11 games (beginning with the NHL's inaugural game on Dec. 19, 1917) when he scores for the Montreal Canadiens in a
5-1 loss at Toronto
. It's the 25th goal of the season for Malone, who goes on to lead the new NHL with 44.
1937:The career of Canadiens star
Howie Morenz
comes to an abrupt end when he breaks four bones in his left leg and ankle as the result of a collision in a
6-5 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks
at the Forum. Morenz, who rejoins the Canadiens for the 1936-37 season two years after being traded to Chicago, is tripped and goes into the corner, where his skate gets lodged in the boards. Chicago Blackhawks defenseman
Earl Seibert
accidentally falls over him, causing the injury. Morenz appears to be recovering, though he's told he'll never play hockey again. He dies of heart failure on March 8, 1937.