12/02/2021 – Page 5 – CanucksBanter

NHL Public Relations December 2, 2021

* Auston Matthews recorded his fourth career hat trick as the Maple Leafs unloaded eight and extended their win streak to five games, outscoring their opponents 26-7 over that run.

* Quinn Hughes became the first Canucks defenseman to record a four-point game since Alexander Edler (Feb. 7, 2009) and helped Vancouver skate to a six-goal outburst in Ottawa.

* Connor McDavid recorded his second four-point outing of the season to reach 40 points and improve to 4-10—14 through eight head-to-head meetings versus Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

MATTHEWS NETS HAT TRICK, LEADS MAPLE LEAFS IN EIGHT-GOAL WEDNESDAY
Hours after honoring his pledge by shaving his moustache on the back of raising $148,124 for Movember, Auston Matthews recorded his fourth career hat trick to help the Maple Leafs (17-6-1, 35 points) score eight goals in a game for the first time since Dec. 23, 2019 and overtake top spot in the NHL standings. Toronto improved to 5-0-0 in its last five outings and has outscored its opponents 26-7 over that run.

* Matthews, who was held to only one goal through the month of October, has scored 12 since Nov. 1, which trails only Leon Draisaitl (15) for the most among all players over that span.

* The Maple Leafs, who improved to 15-2-0 in their last 17 games, have won five straight for the third time in 2021-22. Toronto has recorded a win streak of five or more contests three times in a season only three other times in franchise history: 2018-19 (3x), 1999-00 (3x) and 1950-51 (3x).

HUGHES’ FOUR ASSISTS POWERS OFFENSE AS CANUCKS SCORE SIX

Quinn Hughes (0-4—4) set a new career high for assists and points in a game to help propel the Canucks to a six-goal outburst. Hughes, who became the first Vancouver defenseman to record a four-point outing since Alexander Edler on Feb. 7, 2009, improved his season totals to 2-18—20 in 23 games.

* Hughes’ 18 assists are tied with Adam Fox for the most among defensemen this season – he is averaging 0.68 assists per game throughout his career (104 in 152 GP), second among all active defensemen (min. 50 GP) behind Cale Makar (0.72).

MCDAVID NOTCHES FOUR, HITS 40-POINT MARK

Connor McDavid (1-3—4) recorded his second four-point outing of the season and the 21st of his career to help Edmonton snap Pittsburgh’s 19-game point streak against the Oilers (PIT: 15-0-4; EDM: 4-12-3). McDavid boosted his totals to 4-10—14 through eight head-to-head meetings against Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.

* McDavid (15-25—40 in 21 GP) joined teammate Leon Draisaitl (20-21—41 in 21 GP) as the second player this season to reach the 40-point mark, just two games after Draisaitl did so.

* Edmonton, which improved to 9-1-0 at Rogers Place in 2021-22, won nine of its first ten home games to start a season for the third time in franchise history (also 9-1-0 in 1985-86 & 9-0-1 in 1983-84).

RAYMOND SCORES ROOKIE-LEADING 10TH GOAL ON #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

On the latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates, Lucas Raymond netted his 10th goal of the season to help the Red Wings earn their fourth straight win – after being named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month earlier in the day – and Ducks rookie Trevor Zegrasrecorded his second three-point outing of 2021-22.

PREMIERE OF ROAD TO THE NHL WINTER CLASSIC FEATURES RYAN O’REILLY

Wednesday featured the premiere episode of the five-part “Road to the NHL Winter Classic” docuseries showcasing exclusive, behind-the-scenes access to the Blues and Wild as they prepare for an outdoor showdown on New Year’s Day at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn.

The first segment gives viewers a look at life on and off the ice for Blues captain Ryan O’Reilly, as he prepares to take on the Blue Jackets and spends time at home with his wife and kids.

QUICK CLICKS

* Ratings: Thanksgiving Showdown most-viewed NHL game of the season to date

* Leon Draisaitl, Jack Campbell, Nazem Kadri named “Three Stars” for November

* Islanders cleared to resume schedule, will play Sharks on Thursday

* Josh Norris of Senators reacts to school shooting in Oxford Township, Michigan
* Maple Leafs players try Timbiebs, Justin Bieber‘s new treats with Tim Hortons
* NFL’s Carolina Panthers running back & Edmonton native Chuba Hubbard takes in Oilers game

STREAKING STARS LOOK TO BENEFIT FROM ANOTHER QUICK START

Roope Hintz (10-5—15 in 20 GP) and the Stars (11-7-2, 24 points), with wins in each of their past five outings, welcome Oliver Bjorkstrand (6-13—19 in 20 GP) and the Blue Jackets (12-8-0, 24 points) to American Airlines Center.

* Dallas enters the contest having benefited from a quick goal in each of its last three games – Nov. 26 vs. Colorado (1:12), Nov. 27 at Arizona (0:54) and Nov. 30 vs. Carolina (1:13) – and can become the first team in NHL history to score within the opening 75 seconds of a contest in four consecutive outings.

* Meanwhile, Hintz has found the score sheet in each of his past five outings dating to Nov. 20 (7-2—9) and has accounted for each of the Stars’ last two game-opening goals. Dallas’ leading goal scorer in 2021-22 can also become just the second player in League history to score within the opening 75 seconds in three straight contests. Johnny Gagnon (3 GP from Jan. 24 – Feb. 1, 1931) is the only skater to accomplish the feat.

OVECHKIN EYES ANOTHER ACCOMPLISHMENT IN CAPITALS HOME GAME

Alex Ovechkin (19-18—37 in 23 GP), one goal shy of his 17th consecutive 20-goal season and 750 in his career, returns home to Capital One Arena to take on Patrick Kane (6-12—18 in 17 GP) and the Blackhawks (7-12-2, 16 points).

* With three-point performances in each of his last two outings at Capital One Arena (3-0—3 on Nov. 26 & 0-3—3 on Nov. 24), Ovechkin can become the third player in Capitals history to register at least three points in three consecutive home games. Michal Pivonka (3 GP from Feb. 7-22, 1992 & 3 GP from Nov. 16-23, 1990) and Calle Johansson (3 GP from Jan. 28 – Feb. 6, 1990) are the only Washington skaters to achieve the feat.

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MorningSkateDec2FINAL.pdf

Quinn Hughes moving puck up ice against Ottawa Senators

by Callum Fraser / NHL.com Independent Correspondent

OTTAWA — Quinn Hughes had four assists, and six players scored for the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-2 win against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Wednesday.

It was Hughes’ first four-point game in the NHL; he is the first Canucks defenseman to score four points in a game since Alexander Edler on Feb. 7, 2009.

“We were due for one of those nights for a long time,” Vancouver captain Bo Horvat said. “I think we’ve been playing a lot of good hockey. For us to kind of have a night like that where a lot of guys get on the score sheet definitely gives us confidence.

“But at the same time, we can’t get complacent with that too and get comfortable and think that that’s going to happen every night.”

J.T. Miller had a goal and two assists and Luke Schenn had a goal and an assist for the Canucks (8-14-2), who have won back-to-back games following a four-game losing streak. Thatcher Demko made 19 saves.

“When you go into a room after the game and you win like that, your guys are excited,” Vancouver coach Travis Green said. “I haven’t felt a whole lot of letdown from our team. I think they know that they’re right there. They’ve been there.

“We’ve lost so many one-goal games (eight) that it’s not like they’ve just been losing and being outplayed. They’ve done a good job keeping their belief and their confidence level high.”

udpated title — Miller flies by 3 defenders en route to PPG

Brady Tkachuk scored and Filip Gustavsson made 29 saves for the Senators (4-15-1), who have lost six straight in regulation.

“It’s really frustrating,” Ottawa coach D.J. Smith said. “Right now, we’ve just got to stick together and find a way out of this.”

Tanner Pearson gave the Canucks a 1-0 lead at 1:38 of the first.

Adam Gaudette scored his first goal for the Senators when he one-timed a cross-crease pass from Connor Brown on the power play to tie it 1-1 at 11:52. Gaudette was claimed off waivers from the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

“It was definitely good to get on the score sheet, but I think nerves settle in a little bit,” Gaudette said. “It’s been about a month since I played last (Nov. 9) and I just didn’t feel quite right out there, but I’ve got the first one out of the way now.

“Now I’ve just got out and not think and play hockey and play my game to be able to help this team win.”

Tyler Motte one-timed a pass from Conor Garland to make it 2-1 at 2:38 of the second.

Schenn drove to the net and chipped a shot into the top right corner to make it 3-1 with 29 seconds remaining in the period.

“I just tried to kind of move my feet a little bit, I had a step on [Senators forward Alex Formenton],” Schenn said. “A bit of a chip shot over the glove there. They don’t happen very often. I don’t know when the last time was that I scored one like that. Usually, I’m checking to see whose shin pad it went off of before it goes in.”

Horvat gave the Canucks a 4-1 lead at 4:02 of the third.

Alex Chiasson scores goal to make it 5-1 Vancouver.

Alex Chiasson scored on a rebound at the edge of the crease on the power play to make it 5-1 at 7:38.

Tkachuk tapped in a pass from Victor Mete to cut it to 5-2 at 13:42.

J.T. Miller slides puck past Gustavsson for 6-2 score

Miller skated with the puck from the Canucks blue line, worked his way past three defenders and tucked it past Gustavsson on the power play at 17:10 for the 6-2 final.

“I think we play hard most nights,” Smith said. “Tonight, I thought we played really hard until it got bad, and then we got really frustrated. So, as a coach, all you can do is push the guys to go harder tomorrow.”

NOTES: Hughes was plus-3 and had two shots on goal in 21:27 of ice time. … The Canucks went 2-for-6 on the power play; the Senators went 1-for-5. … Vancouver finished 2-3-0 on a five-game road trip. … Senators forward Drake Batherson played his first game since being placed in COVID-19 protocol Nov. 14. He had two shots on goal and three hits in 18:16.