A pair of high-scoring blueliners on pace to record 120-plus points will go head-to-head when Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (8-22—30 in 19 GP) and Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (4-23—27 in 17 GP) take to the ice at 10 p.m. ET.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Hughes and Makar’s strong starts to 2023-24 come on the heels of Erik Karlsson’s 101-point, Norris Trophy-winning campaign in 2022-23. There have been only three stretches in NHL history to feature a 100-point defenseman in consecutive seasons: 1988-89 to 1991-92, 1983-84 to 1985-86, and 1969-70 to 1974-75.

* Hughes was the first player to reach the 30-point mark in 2023-24 following a 1-1—2 performance that helped Vancouver win its 11th consecutive game against the Sharks dating to Jan. 18, 2020. The Canucks captain is one of just two defensemen in NHL history to be the first player to 30 points in a season, following Bobby Orr in 1974-75.

* Makar, with 0-3—3 in each of his past three outings, can become the fifth player in NHL history – and first defenseman – to collect at least three assists in four consecutive games. Hockey Hall of Fame members Mario Lemieux (4 GP in 1996-97), Jari Kurri (4 GP in 1992-93), Adam Oates (4 GP in 1990-91) and Wayne Gretzky (4 GP in 1985-86) are the only players to achieve the feat to date.

Source: NHL Public Relations