* It will soon be time to open the roof at loanDepot park in Miami as the Panthers and Rangers will make history tonight when they compete in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic – the southernmost regular-season game in League history and first NHL outdoor game in the state of Florida.

* With an average high of 76°F/25°C on Jan. 2 (according to AccuWeather.com), it was thought the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic could be the warmest puck-drop temperature for an outdoor game in League history – however, the temperature was 58°F/14°C at ice level Tuesday when NHL officials opened the roof for a test with a similar forecast for tonight’s 8 p.m. ET start. Click here to view the puck-drop temperature for each of the 43 outdoor games to date.

* Before the puck drops on Friday’s slate, more NHL players will be named to rosters for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 as Team USA, Team Finland and Team Sweden are all scheduled to announce today. #NHLStats will provide a “By the Numbers” breakdown for each.

2026 DISCOVER NHL WINTER CLASSIC IN MIAMI WILL BE “HUGE GAME”

There will be two key points when the Panthers and Rangers clash at loanDepot park in Miami for the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic and, as told by NHL.com, the stakes are not lost on either team – even with a setting that will include pink flamingos, pink umbrellas and a pink lifeguard stand. The teams are separated by two points in the Eastern Conference standings and will lean on leading scorers and outdoor game veterans Brad Marchand and Artemi Panarin for the primetime showdown (8 p.m. ET; TNT, HBO MAX, truTV, SNW, SNO, SNE, TVAS & NHL in ASL).

* The end of 2025 and start of 2026 has been a memorable stretch for Marchand: he was honored Tuesday for reaching 1,000 NHL points, named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster Wednesday and will play in the Winter Classic today. From February 2025 to February 2026, Marchand will also have won the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, been traded to the Panthers, won his second Stanley Cup and make his first Olympic appearance.

* Marchand, 37, enters his fourth career outdoor game riding a nine-game point streak (7-7—14), his longest since joining the Panthers in 2024-25. Earlier this season, Marchand recorded a point in every appearance from Oct. 21 to Nov. 17 (10-7—17 in 11 GP; maxed out at official 8-game point streak).

* Panarin will look to help his club stay perfect outdoors and pull into a tie with the Panthers in terms of standings points by spoiling their outdoor debut. Panarin netted the overtime winner for New York in the 2024 Stadium Series to claim his first outdoor win in three tries and boost the Rangers’ record to 5-0-0.

* Mika Zibanejad enters his fourth outdoor game sitting one shy of tying the franchise record for career power-play goals and is one of two current Rangers who played for the club in their last Winter Classic appearance. The other is captain J.T. Miller who scored the overtime winner for the Rangers in the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field to defeat Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues and the Sabres.

WINTER CLASSIC QUICK CLICKS

* Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk ‘boost morale’ at Panthers practice on eve of Winter Classic

* Rangers aim to show ‘hockey world’ how good they can be at Winter Classic

* Winter Classic puts spotlight on Florida’s rise as home for hockey

* Interactive Information Guide

* #NHLStats Pack: 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic

2025 YEAR IN REVIEW

The #NHLStats: 2025 Year in Review looks at some of the most memorable moments and top trends from the year that was, ranging from Connor McDavid and the Tkachuk brothers at the 4 Nations Face-Off to Alex Ovechkin’s completion of The Gr8 Chase to the Panthers winning a Stanley Cup Final rematch to Sidney Crosby breaking a record long held by “Super Mario” to the emergence of teenage stars Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer.

RESULTS FROM NEW YEAR’S DAY ACTION

CANADIENS OUTLAST HURRICANES IN 12-GOAL MATCHUP

The highest-scoring game of New Year’s Day saw Montreal take a 2-0 lead, Carolina score four straight to go up 4-2 before the Canadiens responded with four consecutive of their own and remained in the lead to capture two points and reach 50 points on the season. Montreal (40 GP) required their fewest games to reach 50 points in a campaign since 2016-17 (37 GP) and earned its 12th comeback win of 2025-26, which is the second most among all teams behind Philadelphia (14).

* Nick Suzuki (1-0—1) improved to 14-31—45, which is the most points by a Canadiens player through 40 games in a season since Saku Koivu in 1996-97 (47).

* Lane Hutson (6-34—40 in 40 GP) collected a goal and an assist to become the third blueliner this season to reach 40 points (also Cale Makar w/ 45 & Zach Werenski w/ 40). Hutson has the third-most points by a Canadiens defenseman through 40 games of a campaign behind Larry Robinson (47 in 1985-86 & 1976-77) and Guy Lapointe (42 in 1974-75 & 41 in 1976-77). 

* Cole Caufield (1-0—1) and Hutson joined Suzuki as Montreal’s second and third 40-point scorers so far in 2025-26. The last time the Canadiens had three players with 40 points through 40 games of a season was 1992-93 (Kirk Muller, Stephan Lebeau, Vincent Damphousse & Brian Bellows).

* Sebastian Aho factored on all five of his club’s goals Thursday for his second career five-point game, which is tied for the third most in Hurricanes/Whalers history behind Ron Francis (8) and Eric Staal (4). Aho became the fourth player in franchise history to factor on all team goals in a single game (min. 5 goals), joining Staal (5 on April 8, 2010), Ray Whitney (5 on Feb. 8, 2007) and Nelson Emerson (5 on Jan. 25, 1997).

Guenther, Matthews start New Year with first, 14th career hat tricks
Dylan Guenther (3-1—4) and Auston Matthews (3-1—4) had three goals apiece Thursday, which marked the second New Year’s Day in NHL history to feature multiple hat tricks (also Troy Murray & Al Secord in 1986):
 

* Guenther generated three of Utah’s seven tallies as the Mammoth defeated the Islanders, whose star rookie Matthew Schaefer (18 years, 118 days) became the youngest defenseman in NHL history at the time of his 10th career goal. Guenther had his first career hat trick and needs three more tallies to become the first player to score 50 with Utah.

* Matthews scored his 14th career hat trick to climb a number of NHL lists, move to the brink of tying Mats Sundin for the Maple Leafs’ all-time goals record and help Toronto earn its second three-goal comeback win of 2025-26 – tied the Panthers for the most among all teams. Matthews passed Pat LaFontaine (13) for the most hat tricks by a U.S-born player in League history; he also tied Charlie Conacher for the third most in Maple Leafs history, trailing Darryl Sittler (18) and Babe Dye (16).

MORE OF LAST YEAR’S LEAGUE TRENDS CONTINUE IN 2026’S FIRST LIVE UPDATES
A total of 66 goals were scored across Thursday’s slate, filling the first Live Updates of 2026 with an abundance of #NHLStats. It marked the second-highest scoring New Year’s Day in NHL history behind 2022 (69).

* Tim Stützle assisted on the winner with 2:22 remaining in regulation to stretch his point streak to 11 games and help the Senators secure a multi-goal comeback win during the NHL’s first contest of 2026. Stützle and Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 teammate Leon Draisaitl account for all 13 double-digit point streaks among German players in NHL history (Draisaitl: 11; Stützle: 2).

* Nikita Kucherov (1-2—3) factored on three of Tampa Bay’s five goals to help the Lightning (24-13-3, 51 points) extend their winning streak to six games and climb within a point of the Atlantic Division-leading Red Wings (24-14-4, 52 points). Kucherov became the second player in franchise history with a six-game road multi-point streak, following Steven Stamkos (8 GP from Oct. 7 – Nov. 9, 2017).

* Sidney Crosby (2-1—3) and Kris Letang connected on the overtime winner as the Penguins quelled a multi-goal comeback attempt by the Red Wings.Crosby collected his 49th career overtime point to extend his NHL record, while Letang logged his 13th career overtime goal to pass teammate Erik Karlsson as well as Seth Jones (both w/ 12) and tie Scott Niedermayer for second place on the League’s all-time list among defensemen.  

QUICK CLICKS

* Ivan Demidov named NHL Rookie of the Month for December

* Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Macklin Celebrini named “Three Stars” for December

*Logan Thompson gifted homemade ornament by young Capitals fan

* Gavin McKenna living up to expectations with Canada at World Junior Championship

* Will Ferrell dresses up as NHL referee at Kings game

FULL SCHEDULE FOR FRIDAY’S SLATE

QUICK HITS

* The NHL will stage outdoor hockey in the state of Florida for the first time, with the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic set to be the southernmost regular-season game in League history – but maybe not the warmest puck-drop temperature for an outdoor game.

* To date, the League’s regular season outdoor games have attracted a total of 2,240,068 fans, including sellouts for each of the previous 16 Winter Classic games.

* Many players across the two rosters have NHL outdoor experience, including Panthers teammates Brad Marchand, Sergei Bobrovsky and Sam Reinhart – the latter two having faced New York in a previous Winter Classic – and Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller and Mika Zibanejad.

* Crucial points are up for grabs in the Winter Classic, as the Panthers (21-15-3, 45 points) and Rangers (19-18-5, 43 points) are separated by only two points in the Eastern Conference standings – with the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions sitting as the first team outside the playoff bracket on New Year’s Day.

QUICK CLICKS
* Outdoor Game List
* Outdoor Game Standings
* Outdoor Game Skater Records
* Outdoor Game Goaltender Records
* Outdoor Game Team Records
* Outdoor Game Skater Register
* Outdoor Game Goaltender Register

SUNSHINE STATE READY FOR FIRST TASTE OF NHL OUTDOOR ACTION

The state of Florida has seen a team reach the Stanley Cup Final six years running and is home to four of the past six Stanley Cup champions, with the Panthers and Lightning each making three straight Final appearances and claiming back-to-back Stanley Cup wins since 2020. The clubs will now take the roof off for a different sort of back-to-back, hosting the League’s next two outdoor games – with the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic set to be the first NHL regular-season outdoor game ever in the state of Florida. The historic first on Jan. 2 will see the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Panthers contest their first outdoor game, against the Rangers who are a perfect 5-0-0 in the great outdoors.
 

* With an average high of 76°F/25°C on Jan. 2 (according to AccuWeather.com), it was thought the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic could be the warmest puck-drop temperature for an outdoor game in League history – however, the current forecast for Friday night predicts a temperature of 61°F/16°C around puck drop. The current benchmark for warmest outdoor game is 65ºF/18ºC, set at the 2016 Stadium Series at Coors Field in Denver. Click here to see the temperature for every outdoor game in League history.

* Florida will become the 19th state to host an NHL regular-season outdoor game and the fourth to host multiple in the same calendar year, following New Jersey (2024), Nevada (2021) and New York (2014). The only Canadian province to host two in the same year is Ontario (2017).

* While they have a fierce rivalry on the ice – aided by four head-to-head playoff series since 2021 (after never meeting in their first 26 seasons together in the NHL) – the Panthers and Lightning will be part of a month-long celebration of the explosive growth of the game of hockey in the Sunshine State.

* The NHL, NHLPA, Panthers, and Lightning will celebrate hockey from mid-December through the beginning of February with numerous community events and initiatives including two NHL Unites Legacy Projects, an all-day NHL STREET ball hockey championship, a high school pep rally, a hockey-themed business case competition for Florida college students and NHL in ASL alternate broadcasts for both outdoor games.

* This season marks the 32nd campaign of NHL play for the Panthers franchise, which joined the League for the 1993-94 season, and the 33rd season of NHL play in the Sunshine State, since the Lightning made its debut in 1992-93.

* The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic is set to be the southernmost NHL regular-season contest in NHL history (indoors or outdoors). loanDepot park in Miami sits at latitude 25.77 degrees north, narrowly eclipsing Miami Arena (+25.78) – the home rink for the Panthers between 1993 to 1998.

* Hockey registration in Florida is up 49.63% in the span between the Panthers’ inaugural season in 1993-94 and the 2024-25 season. Last season, there were 22,888 registered hockey players in the state of Florida, including 1,876 female players and 27 Division 1 high school teams.

* The Panthers’ recent success on the ice has been accompanied by strong growth numbers in the youth ranks. USA Hockey reports that overall hockey registration state-wide increased by +7.97% from 2023-24 to 2024-25. During that same span, the state of Florida also saw hockey registration numbers increase by +13.01% among girls and women and +10.28% among players age 10 or younger.

* From 2020-21 to 2024-25, USA Hockey reports that participation in the state of Florida is +46.84% overall, +82.14% among girls and women and +67.96% among players age 10 or younger. That five-season stretch began just after the Lightning won their first of back-to-back Stanley Cups (September 2020) and spans through the Panthers’ third consecutive Final appearance and back-to-back championships (the sixth straight appearance in the Final for a team from Florida).

* There have been similar increases within the Panthers’ hockey programs as well. From 2023-24 to 2024-25, the Learn to Play initiative saw an +36.66% increase in participation. In that same timeframe, the Jr. Panthers saw a +20.8% increase in participation among girls – with the highest percentage growth (+39.3%) among girls ages 15-18 – and a +16.4% increase in overall youth hockey participation.

* On Dec. 11, Canadiens goaltender Jacob Fowler became the first Florida-born goaltender to play an NHL game. Montreal was the last opponent Florida faced before the Winter Classic.

* Through Dec. 30, a total of 10 Florida-born players have skated this season, guaranteeing a seventh straight campaign with at least eight Florida-born players. A dozen years ago, there had never been more than two in one season. Only three other seasons have had a double-digit count for Florida-born players (12 in 2021-22 & 2022-23; 11 in 2023-24).

https://flo.uri.sh/visualisation/26721699/embed

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The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic will be the 17th Winter Classic and the 44th NHL regular-season outdoor game. The Panthers will make their outdoor game debut, while the Rangers are set to make their sixth outdoor appearance (5-0-0) and third in a Winter Classic (2-0-0).

* Florida will become the eighth reigning Stanley Cup champions to play outdoors, following Chicago (2x; 6-1 L in 2016 SS and 5-1 W in 2014 SS), Vegas (3-0 L in 2024 WC), Tampa Bay (3-2 W in 2022 SS), Pittsburgh (4-2 W in 2017 SS), Los Angeles (2-1 W in 2015 SS) and Detroit (6-4 W in 2009 WC).
 

* New York will move into a tie with Pittsburgh (2-3-1 in 6 GP) and Philadelphia (1-4-1 in 6 GP) for the second most outdoor games, behind Chicago (1-6-0 in 7 GP).

* New York has won all five of its previous outdoor appearances – the most victories among all teams – with their most recent coming against the Islanders in the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium (6-5 OT W). The Rangers are one of nine teams that have yet to lose an outdoor contest.

* The Rangers will become the fifth team to play in at least three Winter Classic games behind only the Blackhawks (0-5-0 in 5 GP) and Bruins (3-1-0 in 4 GP). The Panthers, meanwhile, will be the 17th club to play in a Winter Classic and 12th to serve as the home team. A win by New York would tie them for the most Winter Classic victories.

***

* Brad Marchand has skated in three outdoor games – the most among all Panthers – and owns a perfect 3-0-0 record (2019 WC, 2021 LT-SUN & 2023 WC). Marchand can move into a tie for the second-most NHL outdoor wins among skaters.

* Marchand (1-3—4) also leads the Panthers in career outdoor assists and points. He is tied for sixth place in NHL history in terms of career outdoor assists, and for 10th place for career outdoor points.

* Marchand, 37, enters the Winter Classic with a nine-game point streak (7-7—14), his longest since joining the Panthers last season. A point outdoors would give him the fourth double-digit point streak of his career (13 GP twice in 2019-20 as well as 11 GP in 2024-25). The last player with a point streak of 10-plus games at age 37 or older was Sidney Crosby (12 GP in 2024-25).

* Earlier this season, Marchand recorded a point in every appearance from Oct. 21 to Nov. 17 (10-7—17 in 11 GP; maxed out at official 8-game point streak). He is now the third player at age 37 or older in League history to record a point in nine or more straight games played multiple times in a season, following Gordie Howe (2x in 1965-66) and Mario Lemieux (2x in 2002-03) who hit double digits in each of their stretches.

* The end of 2025 and start of 2026 has been a memorable stretch for Marchand: he was honored Dec. 30 for reaching 1,000 NHL points, named to Team Canada’s Olympic roster Dec. 31 and will play in the Winter Classic on Jan. 2. From February 2025 to February 2026, Marchand will also have: won the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, been traded to the Panthers, won his second Stanley Cup and make his first Olympic appearance.

* Marchand, Sam Reinhart and A.J. Greer are the only Panthers with an outdoor goal. Greer scored his in the 2023 Heritage Classic (w/ CGY), while Reinhart netted his against the Rangers during the 2018 Winter Classic (w/ BUF). Evan Rodrigues skated alongside Reinhart in that game (his lone outdoor appearance), while Kyle Okposo – who won a Cup with the Panthers in 2024 – assisted on Reinhart’s goal (and on both BUF goals in the 2018 WC vs. NYR).

* Sergei Bobrovsky’s only outdoor game was with the Flyers, against the Rangers in the 2012 Winter Classic. The 14 years between outdoor game appearances for Bobrovskywould be the longest by any NHL player (he would best the current 12-year mark shared by Jordan Staal and Andrei Markov).
 

* In his last game before the Winter Classic (Dec. 29 vs. WSH), Bobrovsky claimed his 446th career win to overtake Terry Sawchuk (445) for sole possession of eighth place in NHL history. Bobrovsky now sits eight victories back of tying Curtis Joseph (454) for seventh place and 13 from equaling Henrik Lundqvist (459) for both sixth place and for the most NHL wins among goaltenders born outside North America.

* Seth Jones will suit up in his 900th career regular-season game, with this set to be his second outdoors. Jones is set to become the first player to reach the 900 games milestone outdoors. Others to reach a notable games played benchmark outdoors include Cam Fowler (1,000 GP) and Claude Giroux (800 GP).

* Paul Maurice (1-1-0 in 2 GC) is set to become the 10th head coach to serve in at least three outdoor games, following a loss to the Oilers in the 2016 Heritage Classic and win against the Flames in the 2019 Heritage Classic (both w/ WPG). Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett made their lone outdoor appearances in that contest (W/ CGY), while Dmitry Kulikov played in his first of two.

* Fifteen current Panthers players have played in at least one NHL regular-season outdoor game, plus Daniil Tarasov who served as the Blue Jackets’ backup in the last NHL outdoor game (2025 SS). Their statistics in those contests are listed in the attached PDF.

***

* Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Jonathan Quick each have skated in three outdoor games, tied for the most on the Rangers. Panarin (1-3—4) has the most outdoor assists and points among current Rangers, while Zibanejad has one goal along with a perfect 3-0-0 record in his appearances (2014 HC, 2018 WC, 2024 SS) and can move into a tie for the second-most NHL outdoor wins among skaters. Quick is tied for the second-most outdoor appearances among goaltenders and for third in outdoor wins by netminders.

* Panarin scored 10 seconds into overtime of the 2024 Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium to set the record for fastest goal from the start of any period in an outdoor game (helping the Rangers improve to a perfect 5-0-0 outdoors).

* Panarin (595) enters the Winter Classic five shy of 600 NHL assists and four back of tying former Rangers forward Alex Kovalev (599) on the all-time list. Panarin (793 GP) is tracking toward becoming the fifth-fastest player born outside North America to 600 career assists; the current top five: Peter Stastny (628 GP), Peter Forsberg (670 GP), Nikita Kucherov (767 GP), Jaromir Jagr (769 GP) and Jari Kurri (815 GP). 

* Zibanejad is one of two current Rangers who played for the club in their last Winter Classic appearance. The other is J.T. Miller who scored the overtime winner for the Rangers in the 2018 Winter Classic at Citi Field to defeat Sam Reinhart, Evan Rodrigues and the Sabres.

* Zibanejad (115) needs one to tie the franchise record for career power-play goals, a mark currently shared by Camille Henry and Chris Kreider (116).

* Mike Sullivan (1-1-1 in 3 GC) is set to become the seventh head coach to serve in at least four outdoor games, after Peter Laviolette (1-3-1 in 5 GC), Joel Quenneville (1-4-0 in 5 GC), Alain Vigneault (3-1-0 in 4 GC), Mike Babcock (2-1-1 in 4 GC), Claude Julien (2-2-0 in 4 GC) and Todd McLellan (2-2-0 in 4 GC). Sullivan made his other appearances with the Penguins (2017 SS, 2019 SS, 2023 WC).
 

* Sullivan (498) needs one win to tie former Panthers bench boss Terry Murray (499, including 79 w/ FLA) on the all-time wins list among head coaches. Sullivan is set to become the 30th head coach in League history with 500 wins. Sullivan will serve as head coach of Team USA at the upcoming Olympics, with the roster to be unveiled the morning of the Winter Classic.

* Seventeen current Rangers players have played in at least one NHL regular-season outdoor game, including 12 that dressed in their most recent such contest: 2024 Stadium Series. Their statistics in those contests are listed in the attached PDF.
 

***

In honor of the 12 grapes New Year’s tradition in Miami, here are 12 #NHLStats you need to know ahead of the Rangers-Panthers showdown in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic:

14,596 – Sellout crowd at Miami Arena on Sept. 21, 1990, during the first NHL game ever played in South Florida. Wayne Gretzky had three assistsduring the preseason contest to help the Kings to a 6-4 win against the Rangers. After the game, Gretzky said: “The fans were tremendous. They were as good as anywhere I’ve been. Somebody in Florida is going to get a franchise, I hope. It would be nice for hockey.” Four seasons later, the Panthers began play at that same venue, Miami Arena.

13,007 – Sellout crowd at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas on Sept. 27, 1991, when Wayne Gretzky and the Kings again played a first-of-its-kind game against the Rangers. The first outdoor game between two NHL teams saw the Kings emerge with a preseason victory.

1993 – The year that both the Panthers and Miami Marlins entered the NHL and MLB, respectively. The 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic will be played at loanDepot park, home of the Marlins.

71 – Number of players who have skated for both the Rangers and Panthers, including current Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck and Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola. Trocheck played parts of his first seven NHL seasons with Florida (read more on NHL.com) and recorded his 600th NHL point in his last game before the Winter Classic (Dec. 31 at WSH).

44 – Regular-season outdoor games in League history, including the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic. The total is set to reach 45 with the 2026 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Raymond James Stadium (Feb. 1).

31 – The number of franchises to participate in an NHL regular-season outdoor game, including the Panthers who will make their debut Jan. 2. After the Winter Classic, Utah will be the only active NHL franchise yet to participate in an outdoor game.

15 – The number of regular-season outdoor games that have been played in baseball parks including the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic.

11 – Overall selection by the Panthers in the 2015 NHL Draft, the last time it was held in Florida. The club picked Lawson Crouse and while he never suited up for the Panthers, he has gone yard at loanDepot park. Crouse and fellow first-rounders Jack Eichel, Mitch Marner, Connor McDavid, Dylan Strome, Noah Hanifin took batting practice at the field before their names were called at the draft (with Crouse the only one to hit a homer – the day after his 18th birthday, no less).

7 – Goals scored by the Rangers in their first game of the 2014 Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium, which set the outdoor record for most goals in a game by one team. The mark has since been tied by the Bruins in the 2021 NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe, with a roster that featured current Panthers Brad Marchand and Jack Studnicka as well as current Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen (who all contributed at least one point).
 

5 – The number of one-goal games during the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, which saw the Panthers claim their first playoff series win against the Rangers – en route to claiming their first Stanley Cup. The score was tied or within one goal for 95% of playing time, one of the most tightly contested Conference Finals/Semifinals matchups in NHL history.

5 – Players from the Panthers or Rangers named to Olympic rosters to date: Brad Marchand (Team Canada), Sam Reinhart (Team Canada), Matthew Tkachuk (Team USA; injured), Aleksander Barkov (Team Finland; injured) and Uvis Balinskis (Team Latvia). Others could be added before the Winter Classic.

2 – The number of championships the Panthers and Marlins have both captured, with Florida having hoisted the Stanley Cup each of the past two seasons while Miami’s World Series wins came in 1997 and 2003.

Another year in the NHL was one for the books, with 2025 seeing decades-old League and franchise records fall as new stars of all ages made history. A few key takeaways before a month-by-month look at some of the biggest moments in the #NHLStats: 2025 Year in Review:

* Memorable moments ranged from Connor McDavid and the Tkachuk brothers at the 4 Nations Face-Off to Alex Ovechkin’s completion of The Gr8 Chase to the Panthers winning a Stanley Cup Final rematch to Sidney Crosby breaking a record long held by “Super Mario” to the emergence of teenage stars Macklin Celebrini and Matthew Schaefer.

* International competition was a storyline throughout the year, including the announcement of the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 and finalization of plans for the upcoming Olympic Winter Games – along with roster announcements in both June and December.

* NHL games were closer than ever before, with a calendar-year record 76% decided by a one-goal margin or multiple goals following an empty-netter – including 341 overtime games (eight shy of the League record of 349 set in 2013). Playoff races also went down to the wire for a first-of-its-kind clinching scenario in April.

* * *

* After closing the year with an outdoor game for the first time, the NHL rang in 2025 with a flurry of achievements and announcements in January. Alex Ovechkin scored in his first two games of the year to re-ignite The Gr8 Chase, while Sidney Crosby overtook Joe Sakic on the all-time points list. Connor McDavid had his number retired by the Erie Otters – and met their star defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who was picked No. 1 in the NHL Draft six months later – and five days after moved into second place on the Oilers’ all-time points list behind Wayne Gretzky. Other memorable moments included the first of two goalie goals in 2025 as well as Marc-Andre Fleury’s final NHL appearance in his home province. The NHL also unveiled Quarter-Century Teams for each franchise as part of a months-long celebration and closed January by announcing annual increases to the salary cap.

* Before we look back further on the year that was, a few #NHLStats to look forward to in 2026:

* * *

* The 4 Nations Face-Off – the first best-on-best tournament in nearly a decade – drew spirited competition on the ice and culminated in dramatic fashion with an overtime goal by Connor McDavid to lift Canada to a championship against the USA on American soil. The triumph avenged Canada’s loss in the round-robin portion of the tournament and gave the country its seventh championship in nine NHL International Tournaments (third in a row).

* Playing together on the international stage for the first time, brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk starred in the tournament and grabbed headlines – from appearances on Good Morning America to the New Heights podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce to eventually starting their own podcast, Wingmen. Kelce would later watch Matthew and the Panthers at the Stanley Cup Final, alongside Taylor Swift.

* The tournament also included an MVP caliber performance by Nathan MacKinnon, another championship as captain for Sidney Crosby and saw Zach Werenski become the first defenseman to finish as the outright points leader at an NHL International Tournament. Click here for a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the nine-day event.

* NHL action in February saw Mark Scheifele set the Jets/Thrashers franchise record for career goals (Feb. 24) during Winnipeg’s franchise record-setting 11-game winning streak. Scheifele added other club records to his tally before the year was out, climbing to the top of the career points (Oct. 18) and games played lists (Nov. 18). The on-ice achievements came during an emotional year for Scheifele, who scored a goal hours after the passing of his father, Brad.

* The first weekend back from the 4 Nations break included Skate for LA Strong, “A Celebration to Support the Fire Recovery Efforts in Los Angeles.” The game featured celebrities like Justin Bieber, Steve Carell and Snoop Dogg alongside NHL alumni like Mark Messier and Rob Blake to support relief efforts for the wildfires that devastated greater Los Angeles.

* * *

* The second outdoor game of the 2024-25 season and only one in the calendar year 2025 marked an NHL first as Ohio Stadium welcomed 94,751 fans – the second-highest attendance in NHL history – for the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series. The Blue Jackets earned an emotional win against the Red Wings during the NHL’s first outdoor game in the state of Ohio, with special pre-game moments to honor the lives of Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau. Meredith Gaudreau, joined by her children Johnny Jr. and Noa, mother-in-law Jane as well as her late husband’s teammates Sean Monahan and Erik Gudbranson,led Columbus during itswalk to the ice – after players from both the Blue Jackets and Red Wings arrived in attire honoring the brothers.

* 1.6 million viewers watched the Stadium Series game on ESPN, the second most-watched Stadium Series since 2019. The event also set a single day retail sales record for concession retail sales, up 19% over the previous record holder (2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series between the Rangers and Islanders on Feb. 18, 2024).

* March also saw Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf set a franchise record for shutouts by a rookie (March 8), on his way to a runner-up finish in Calder Trophy voting; Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour set the NHL record for fastest overtime goal (March 12); and Canucks forward Keifer Sherwood set a new benchmark for the most hits on record in a single season (March 22).

* * *

* Just over 26 years after Wayne Gretzky scored his 894th and final NHL goal against the Islanders, Alex Ovechkin netted No. 895 against the same club to break the NHL all-time goals record – a benchmark that was thought to be untouchable. #NHLStats had in depth coverage as the title of NHL All-Time Goals Leader changed hands for the first time in more than 31 years, with “The Great 8” becoming the 10th player in the NHL’s 107-year history to claim the honor – and just the fourth to own the distinction in the past 72 years, following Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Maurice Richard.

* April also saw the League’s active goals-per-game leader Auston Matthews become the fastest U.S.-born player to score 400 goals, hitting the mark on a milestone night that included Mitch Marner securing his first 100-point season and the Maple Leafs clinching their third division title in the NHL’s expansion era.

* Exactly two weeks after the NHL and Rogers announced a 12-year national rights media deal (April 2), the Canadiens clinched the 16th and final playoff spot (April 16) – putting a Canadian team at both the top and bottom of the playoff bracket after the Jets secured their first Presidents’ Trophy (April 13). Overall, five Canadian teams secured a playoff spot in 2025, tied for the most since 1993 (6). 

* The $11 billion CDN agreement between the NHL and Rogers starts in 2026-27, following the conclusion of the current landmark 12-year deal, extending the strategic partnership to over two decades.

* The Jets and Capitals proved that a lot can change in a year, as they finished as the No. 1 seed in their respective conference after combining for one playoff win the year prior – a first-of-its-kind feat. In-season turnarounds also were a story in April as the Blues and Canadiens overcame large standings deficits to secure playoff spots. Both clubs clinched in game No. 82, as did the Wild, making 2024-25 the first season under the 16-team playoff bracket in which three teams clinched a playoff spot in their last game.

* The NHL set a regular season attendance record for the 2024-25 season – the highest total attendance for a regular season in the League’s 108-year history. Total attendance for the full, 1,312-game regular season was 23,014,458, surpassing the 23-million mark for the first time and representing 96.9% of capacity. The record marked the third consecutive regular season the NHL has set a total attendance record, following all-time marks established in 2022-23 (22,436,532) and 2023-24 (22,873,142).

* The First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs had rivalry at its core, including the first postseason “Battle of Ontario” in 21 years, the “Battle of Florida” for the fourth time in five years, as well as the Kings and Oilers meeting in the opening round for a fourth straight year.

* * *

* The First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs ended during the first weekend of May, with back-to-back historic Game 7s. On May 3, Stars forward Mikko Rantanen eliminated his former team by scoring the first single-period hat trick in Game 7 history. Less than 24 hours later, Jets forward Cole Perfetti scored the latest tying goal in Game 7 history (59:57).

* Like May in recent years, May 2025 saw the Stars, Oilers, Hurricanes and Panthers make deep runs as three of those clubs made at least a second straight appearance in the Conference Finals (DAL, EDM & FLA) while the other reached the final four for the third time in seven seasons (CAR: 2019, 2023 & 2025). All four eliminated a division champion to get there.

* Unlike May in recent years, the broadcast of the 2025 NHL Draft Lottery featured the drawings live for the first time in the event’s 30-year history, allowing viewers to learn the results at the same time as the Draft Lottery participants. The Islanders and Utah Hockey Club made dramatic moves, with New York jumping from No. 10 to No. 1 and Utah climbing from No. 14 to No. 4.

* Two days after winning the second drawing of the draft lottery and after playing its inaugural season as the Utah Hockey Club, the new franchise officially became the Utah Mammoth on May 7. The year also brought franchise firsts by captain Clayton Keller (five points Feb. 27) and Logan Cooley (four goals Nov. 24) – the latter achievement witnessed by Tusky, the new mascot unveiled before their home opener.

* On May 21, the 4 Nations Face-Off was named Sports Event of the Year at the 2025 Sports Business Journal Sports Business Awards. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Executive Director Marty Walsh accepted the honor onstage together. The NHL is a 17-time SBA nominee and five-time winner, including two previous Event of the Year victories (for the Winter Classic in 2009 and 2014).

* * *

* Just like last year, the only two teams to play into June were the Oilers and Panthers, who met for just the second Stanley Cup Final rematch in 40 years.

* The Oilers’ trip to a second straight Stanley Cup Final saw them rally from a 2-0 series deficit to eliminate the Kings for a fourth straight year, become the first team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to capture six consecutive comeback wins (from R1 vs. LAK to R2 vs. VGK) and win a Western Conference Final rematch against Dallas.

* The Panthers’ venture to a third straight appearance in the Final included a series win against the state rival Lightning (R1), a rally from their own 2-0 series deficit (R2 vs. TOR) and an Eastern Conference Final victory against Carolina for the second time in three years.

* Highlights of the Stanley Cup Final included three overtime games, Leon Draisaitl’s record-setting fourth OT goal of the 2025 playoffs and Sam Reinhart making history by becoming the second NHL player with four goals in a Cup-clinching game. The season culminated June 17 when the Panthers claimed a repeat on home ice – less than one year after winning their first championship in Sunrise.

* The Panthers (61 wins in 2025) became the fifth franchise in NHL history with at least 60 wins in three consecutive years (including playoffs), joining the Oilers (5 from 1983 to 1987), Islanders (4 from 1980 to 1983), Red Wings (3 from 2007 to 2009) and Canadiens (3 from 1976 to 1978).

* The day before the Cup was presented, 60 NHL players were named to preliminary rosters for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (June 16). At the time, the Devils topped all teams with six players named including five still with the team: Ondrej Palat (Team Czechia), Simon Nemec (Team Slovakia) and the Team Switzerland trio of Nico Hischier, Timo Meier and Jonas Siegenthaler.

* The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs reached 25.7 million Canadians, averaging 1.8 million viewers per game.

* For the first time, many NHL Awards were presented with special surprise deliveries. The unique moments included Aleksander Barkov receiving two awards from patients at the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Lane Hutson picking up the Calder Trophy during a surprise party; Cale Makar (second Norris Trophy) and Anze Kopitar (third Lady Byng Trophy) each collecting their hardware during a round of golf; as well as Connor Hellebuyck accepting both the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy from family and friends – including goaltending partner Eric Comrie – after a morning of fishing.

* The final individual award of the season went to Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who was named playoff MVP after leading the League in goals (15) and establishing an NHL record for road goals in one playoff year (13).

* * *

* The trade winds were swirling in the early days of summer, including a July 1 deal that sent Mitch Marner to the Golden Knights. That deal came eight days after the Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from the Ducks – who had made a splash in mid-June by picking up Chris Kreider from the Rangers. Entering January, Marner and Zegras are the top two scorers among players on new teams this season, while Zegras shares the lead in goals for that cohort – tied with Mammoth forward JJ Peterka – who was acquired in a deal that sent Josh Doan to the Sabres (he also is among the League leaders for players on new teams this season).

* Big trades weren’t limited to the offseason as marquee players were on the move in-season as well, including Mikko Rantanen who was dealt twice in a span of six weeks (Jan. 24 and March 7); former captains Brad Marchand (March 7) and Quinn Hughes (Dec. 12); new captain J.T. Miller (Jan. 31); and a starter-for-starter deal that saw Stuart Skinner and Tristan Jarry swap teams (Dec. 12) before going head-to-head less than a week later.

* Exactly three weeks after the Stanley Cup was awarded (June 17), the NHL and NHLPA ratified a four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement (July 8), more than a year before the expiration of the current contract. Other summer announcements included a multi-year partnership with DAZN, a groundbreaking collaboration with Lega Serie A, an NHL Street Hockey program in the U.K. as well as Matthew Tkachuk named as cover athlete for EA SPORTS NHL 26 – alongside his brother, Brady, and father, Keith, for the deluxe edition.

* As players returned to the ice for training camp, Kings captain Anze Kopitar announced that 2025-26 would be his final NHL season. Kopitar, the only Slovenian in the NHL, is on track to hit 1,300 career points (2 away) and become the franchise scoring leader (10 away from breaking a record held by Marcel Dionne for nearly 45 years).

* * *

* The start of the 108th NHL season was accompanied by a number of major moves off the ice, including the premiere of Season 2 of FACEOFF: Inside the NHL on Prime Video; the launch of a redesigned NHL EDGE platform; and a landmark media partnership between Nine and the NHL airing a live NHL game every Saturday morning to fans in Australia.
 

* Once the puck dropped, new faces began to make an immediate impact, including 18-year-old No. 1 pick Matthew Schaefer. After an emotional moment on stage at the NHL Draft in June, the historic start to Schaefer’s career has seen him become the youngest defenseman in NHL history with a point in his debut, to net a game-winning goal and to score in consecutive games; tie an NHL record by starting his career with a six-game point streak; and become the youngest player ever with a regular-season overtime goal (besting Sidney Crosby). After being named Rookie of the Month for October, Schaefer kept rolling in November by becoming the third 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history with five goals in one month. He also made a touching tribute to his late mom, Jennifer, during the Islanders’ Hockey Fights Cancer Night on Nov. 22, which happened to fall on her birthday. In December, he became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 points and signed on as a Hockey Fights Cancer champion.

* October also marked the start of Centennial celebrations for the last members of the Original Six to celebrate 100 years: the Rangers guided by new captain J.T. Miller (back with the team in time for their next Winter Classic appearance), the Blackhawks back in the playoff hunt thanks to the scoring prowess of Connor Bedard, and the Red Wings surging to the top of the standings in a campaign likely to see Patrick Kane become the all-time NHL scoring leader among U.S.-born players (9 away).

* The NHL started the 2025-26 season with its sponsorship business at the best it’s ever been, adding at least a half dozen new sponsors to its already robust list of corporate partners, and revenues projected to exceed $7 billion. It also started hot out of the gates across ESPN and TNT Sports, with audiences up 26% from this point last year at the end of October.

* * *

* On Nov. 5, 2005, “The Great 8” Alex Ovechkin had eight career NHL goals as a 20-year-old rookie. Fast forward exactly 20 years to Nov. 5, 2025, when he became the first player in NHL history with 900 career regular-season goals. He added 10 goals to his tally in November – the third 40-year-old in NHL history with as many in one month – during the league-wide celebration month for Hockey Fights Cancer Hockey Fights Cancer, as he continued THE GR8 CHASE for Victory Over Cancer.

* At the other end of the NHL’s age spectrum, 20-year-old Connor Bedard and 19-year-old Macklin Celebrini both were among the top scorers in November – putting the Blackhawks and Sharks in the thick of the playoff race. Celebrini, the NHL scoring leader Nov. 7, finished the calendar with 98 points to match Dale Hawerchuk (1982) for the third most regular-season points by a teenager in a calendar year – behind only Wayne Gretzky (140 in 1980) and Sidney Crosby (118 in 2006). Celebrini did so hours after finding out that he would be joining Crosby on Team Canada’s Olympic roster – as he is set to become the first teenager to represent that country at Olympics involving NHL players.

* Bedard, among the November Stars of the Month, was sidelined for the final weeks of 2025 but still recorded the most regular-season points in a calendar year by a Blackhawks player age 20 or younger since 1990 (78; Jeremy Roenick: 80).

* Overall in 2025, players age 20 or younger accounted for 361 goals (including playoffs) – the most in a calendar year since 2018 (493). Ducks forward Leo Carlsson, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Boxing Day, had 74 regular season points as a 20-year-old – by far the most by a Ducks player at that age or younger in one calendar year.

* Not to be outdone by the emerging young stars, the NHL’s active points leader Sidney Crosby is among the crew of players age 37 or older that combined for 273 goals and 707 points (including playoffs). The goal count was the second-highest ever by players in that age group (tied with 2011 & 2009, behind 287 in 2008), while the point total was the highest since 2013 (716 points). Crosby had two points Dec. 21 to break Mario Lemieux’s franchise record for career points, also overtaking him for eighth place in NHL history. Click here for more on Crosby.

* It was also a November to remember for Predators forward Filip Forsberg, who scored a late tying goal to help secure a win during his first NHL game in his home country during 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden presented by Fastenal (Nov. 14). Likewise for his countryman Jesper Wallstedt, who was named Rookie of the Month after posting a 6-0-0 record including three shutouts. The Wild goaltender foreshadowed more positives for the club, which made a splash Dec. 12 by acquiring Quinn Hughes – the first Norris Trophy winner to play for the franchise – who scored in his debut two days later in a contest that also saw Kirill Kaprizov set a franchise record for career 20-goal seasons and move closer to becoming the club’s all-time goals leader (12 away).

* On Nov. 10, as part of the festivities leading up to the 2025 NHL Global Series, the NHL announced the opening of its new office located in Zürich, Switzerland. The office, having officially opened its doors in August 2025, will expand the League’s footprint across Europe, focusing on international operations, strategy, and development, including media and sponsorship sales. The Zürich office bolsters the League’s commitment to evolving its international business and continues to fuel the excitement around its global calendar of events, including the 2025 NHL Global Series Sweden presented by Fastenal, NHL player participation at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, and the World Cup of Hockey 2028.

* * *

Most Goals (Regular Season Only): Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon led all players with 52 goals ahead of Bruins forward Morgan Geekie (50), Stars forward Jason Robertson (49), Bruins forward David Pastrnak (47) and Sabres forward Tage Thompson (46). Geekie had more goals during the 2025 calendar year than he did in his NHL career before the calendar flipped (47 in 290 GP through Dec. 31, 2024).

Most Points (Regular Season Only): MacKinnon (52-73—125) became the first player since Wayne Gretzky to top the NHL in regular-season points in three straight calendar years – and fifth to do so all-time: MacKinnon (3 from 2023-2025), Gretzky (8 from 1980-1987), Guy Lafleur (4 from 1975-1978), Phil Esposito (6 from 1969-1974) and Gordie Howe (4 from 1950-1953). MacKinnon also became the first player since Nikita Kucherov in 2017 to finish a calendar year as the outright leader in regular-season goals and points.

* Kucherov (38-80—118), who finished the season with the second-most points, recorded 100 or more regular-season points in a calendar year for the seventh time, tied with Jari Kurri for the most among players born outside of North America.

* For the second straight year, MacKinnon and Cale Makar (31-60—91) finished with the most points among forwards and defensemen, respectively, after also doing so in 2024. It marks the first time in more than 35 years that teammates led forwards and defensemen in regular-season points in consecutive years (Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey with the Penguins in 1988 and 1989).

Most Goals (Including Playoffs): MacKinnon also topped the list with 59 total goals in 2025, ahead of Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (56), Robertson (53), Geekie (50) and last year’s leader Sam Reinhart (50). Draisaitl accumulated 50-plus goals for a fifth straight calendar year, with his 2025 count including a Stanley Cup Playoffs record four overtime goals. 

Most Points (Including Playoffs): Oilers captain Connor McDavid (42-107—149) topped the list for total points, just ahead of Draisaitl (56-84—140) – aided by a 34-point December, the highest single-month total by any player since Mario Lemieux in December 1995. McDavid became the fourth player in NHL history to lead the League in total points (tied or outright) in five straight calendar years, following Wayne Gretzky (8 from 1980-1987), Guy Lafleur (5 from 1975 to 1979) and Phil Esposito (6 from 1969 to 1974).  

* Eleven players hit the 100-point milestone in 2025, marking the fourth straight calendar year with 10 or more skaters with 100-plus points (including playoffs) – a first since 1980 to 1993 (14 years). 

* Leaders Among Defensemen: Makar led NHL blueliners in regular-season points, while Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard (21-78—99) topped the list when including playoffs (Makar: 32-64—96). Makar also paced all blueliners in goals, 31 for regular-season only and 32 including playoffs. Among the defensive scoring leaders was Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (15-55—70), who had the second-highest calendar year point total of his career (behind 71 in 2022) despite taking personal leave in the months after he penned a letter to fans discussing the heart transplant that his fiancée, Carolina, underwent in the summer. Dahlin’s Sabres enter January riding a franchise record-tying 10-game winning streak that has propelled them from last place in the Eastern Conference standings before the streak into a Wild Card spot on New Year’s Day.  
 

* Leaders Among Goaltenders: The distinction of regular-season wins leader came down to the wire, with Andrei Vasilevskiy (37) securing that title for the third time in his career (also 2021 and 2020). Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky topped the League in wins including playoffs (49, five ahead of Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger) as well as shutouts (7 for regular-season only, 10 including playoffs). 
 
* Leaders Among Teams: The Stars led all teams with 62 wins (including playoffs), just ahead of the Panthers (61), Oilers (60), Avalanche (59) and Hurricanes (58). The Stars hit 60 wins in a calendar year for the second straight year and third time in franchise history (63 in 1999, 62 in 2024). 

* * *

Check out the NHL.com Year in Review of NHL EDGE stats, with a snapshot of leaders below (regular season and playoffs):

High-Danger Zone

• Goals – Jake Guentzel (33)
• Shots on Goal – Zach Hyman (138)
• Saves – Ilya Sorokin (435)
• Save Percentage – Jet Greaves (.878; min. 200 shots faced)

Mid-Range Zone:

• Goals – Nathan MacKinnon (26)
• Shots on Goal – Nathan MacKinnon (163)

Speed Bursts:

• Max Skating Speed – Miles Wood (24.82 mph on April 10, 2025)
• 20+ MPH – Connor McDavid (756)
• 22+ MPH – Connor McDavid (158)\
  • McDavid had 243 and 92 more than the next closest player in the respective categories (Nathan MacKinnon: 513 and 66).

Total Skating Distance:

• Connor McDavid (387 miles)

Shot Speed

• Hardest Shot – Gustav Forsling (105.05 mph on March 20, 2025)
• 90+ MPH Shots – Evan Bouchard (87)
• 100+ MPH Shots – Colin Miller (4)

NEW YORK – Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon and San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini – three No. 1 picks selected for Canada’s roster at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 – have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of December presented by GEICO.

FIRST STAR – CONNOR McDAVID, C, EDMONTON OILERS

McDavid led the League with 13-21—34 in 15 contests – the most points by any NHL player in a single calendar month since Mario Lemieux in December 1995 (12-22—34 in 14 GP w/ PIT) – to lift the Oilers (20-15-6, 46 points) from sixth to first place in the Pacific Division via a 9-5-1 December. McDavid failed to find the scoresheet in his first appearance of the month (Dec. 2 vs. MIN), but closed December with points in 14 straight outings – his seventh career run of at least 14 games and first since March 11 – April 13, 2023 (10-19—29 in 16 GP). He produced nine multi-point efforts over his final 14 contests, including five straight from Dec. 4-13 (7-8—15), his 13th career hat trick (Dec. 4 vs. SEA: 3-1—4), and his second career five-assist and 12th career five-point performance (Dec. 23 vs. CGY: 0-5—5). McDavid additionally placed among the top December performers in power-play assists (1st; 12), power-play points (1st; 16), assists (t-1st; 21), power-play goals (t-1st; 4), goals (2nd; 13), shots on goal (2nd; 71), even-strength goals (t-3rd; 8) and even-strength points (t-3rd; 17). The 28-year-old McDavid, who sat eight points behind MacKinnon for the League scoring lead at the end of November, now shares first place with 24-46—70 through 41 total appearances this season. The five-time Art Ross Trophy winner also paces the NHL in assists (46), power-play assists (23) and power-play points (30) in 2025-26, while ranking fourth in goals (24), even-strength points (38) and shots on goal (145).

SECOND STAR – NATHAN MacKINNON, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

MacKinnon, the “First Star” of November, placed second in December with 14-12—26 across 14 games to power the League-leading Avalanche (30-2-7, 67 points) to a 12-1-1 month as they created a 10-point cushion in the Presidents’ Trophy race. MacKinnon registered points in 12 of his 14 December outings, highlighted by an NHL-best 10 multi-point performances – including a four-game stretch from Dec. 9-16 (4-5—9) and a three-game run to end the month (Dec. 27-31: 4-5—9), capped by his 400th career goal and 32nd career four-point effort Dec. 31 vs. STL (2-2—4). He also scored in nine of his 14 contests to top the League in both goals (14) and even-strength goals (13) while ranking among the December leaders in shots on goal (1st; 72), plus/minus (1st; +21), even-strength points (2nd; 21) and game-winning goals (t-2nd; 3). The 30-year-old MacKinnon, who has finished as the runner-up in the Art Ross Trophy race each of the past two years, matches McDavid with 34-36—70 through 39 total games this season – the first time since 1995-96 that multiple NHL players have accumulated at least 70 points before New Year’s Day. MacKinnon, who currently has a nine-goal edge in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race (34), also sits among the 2025-26 leaders in points per game (1st; 1.79), even-strength goals (1st; 27), even-strength points (1st; 54), shots on goal (1st; 180), even-strength assists (2nd; 27), game-winning goals (t-2nd; 5), assists (5th; 36) and power-play points (t-10th; 16).

THIRD STAR – MACKLIN CELEBRINI, C, SAN JOSE SHARKS

Celebrini finished fourth in the NHL with 8-17—25 in 14 contests to propel the Sharks (20-17-3, 43 points) into the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference on the strength of an 8-6-0 December. Celebrini found the scoresheet in 11 of his 14 appearances, including a nine-game run to close the month (Dec. 11-31: 7-12—19). He also notched eight multi-point performances, spurred by a pair of three-game stretches (Dec. 13-18: 3-6—9 and Dec. 27-31: 3-4—7), and produced five contests with at least three points. Celebrini additionally ranked among the December leaders in even-strength assists (1st; 16), even-strength points (1st; 24), assists (t-3rd; 17), even-strength goals (t-3rd; 8), goals (t-7th; 8), shots on goal (t-9th; 51) and plus/minus (t-12th; +10). The 19-year-old Celebrini, who registered 25-38—63 during his rookie campaign (70 GP), sits third in League scoring with 22-40—62 through 40 overall appearances in 2025-26 – a point total surpassed by just two teenagers in NHL history through their first 40 games of a season: Wayne Gretzky (21-49—70 in 1980-81 w/ EDM) and Sidney Crosby (21-45—66 in 2006-07 w/ PIT). Celebrini – who has factored on 50.8 percent of his team’s total goals this season (62 of 122), second only to McDavid (51.1%) – also places among the 2025-26 leaders in even-strength assists (1st; 28), assists (2nd; 40), even-strength points (2nd; 46), even-strength goals (t-2nd; 18) and goals (t-8th; 22).