NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 11, 2021

* The Avalanche became the first team since the Mario Lemieux-led Penguins in 1995-96 to score seven or more goals in three consecutive games. 
* Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin both recorded multi-point games in their 60th head-to-head meeting in the regular season and first-ever broadcast on ESPN+, with the Penguins captain emerging triumphant.  

* The Western Conference-leading Wild (19-6-1, 39 points) will put their eight-game win streak on the line during Saturday’s 12-game slate.

COLORADO SCORES SEVEN FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT GAME
Cale Makar (1-1—2) and Samuel Girard (1-0—1) led the charge from the blue line as Colorado (15-7-2, 32 points) scored seven goals for the third straight game. The Avalanche, who now lead the NHL with 105 goals for, have found the back of the net 76 times over their past 14 contests – which stands as the highest goal total in a 14-game span by any team since the Penguins in 1995-96 (76 in 14 GP from Nov. 1-30, 1995).

* With tallies from Makar and Girard, Colorado defensemen have now contributed 27 goals so far in 2021-22 (24 GP), pacing the NHL (next closest: ANA w/ 20) and besting the team’s total from last season (26 in 56 GP).

CROSBY TAKES INSTALMENT NO. 60 AGAINST LONG-TIME RIVAL OVECHKIN
Sidney Crosby (0-2—2) and the Penguins (13-8-5, 31 points) bested Alex Ovechkin (0-2—2) and the Capitals (16-5-6, 38 points) in their 60th head-to-head meeting, as well as their first-ever broadcast on ESPN+. Crosby extended his point streak to seven games dating to Nov. 26 (3-10—13) – only Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov (5-9—14 in 7 GP) has recorded more points over that span.

* The two captains recorded multiple points in a head-to-head meeting for the ninth time, with the last one coming on Feb. 2, 2018. Crosby (399) and Ovechkin (387) rank first and third, respectively, in terms of multi-point outings by active players. 

AROUND THE RINKS FRIDAY

* Roman Josi (1-1—2) notched his 110th career multi-point outing and tied Martin Erat (110 GP) for the second most in franchise history, behind only David Legwand (120 GP). If Josi surpasses Legwand, he would become just the second defenseman in NHL history to lead a franchise in multi-point games, joining Boston’s Ray Borque (388 GP). Of note, the defunct Montreal Wanderers concluded with a blueliner owning the most as well (Dave Ritchie w/ 2 GP).

* Nils Hoglander (2-0—2) recorded his third career multi-goal game and Elias Pettersson scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Canucks won three straight for the first time this season. Bruce Boudreau joined Willie Desjardins (3-0-0 in 2014-15) as the second coach in franchise history to earn a win in three consecutive contests to begin their tenure with the club.

* Patric Hornqvist (1-1—2) and Sam Bennett (1-0—1) scored 10 seconds apart as the Panthers (18-4-4, 40 points) became the first team in 2021-22 to record 40 points. Florida secured the fewest games to 40 points on a season in franchise history (26 GP), besting their previous mark of 27 contests achieved twice: 2020-21 and 1996-97.

* Adam Fox (0-2—2) recorded his 100th career assist — less than two weeks after Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes reached the milestone — to propel the Rangers (18-5-3, 39 points) to the top of the Metropolitan Division for the first time since Oct. 24. Fox (18-100—118 in 151 GP) tied Brian Leetch (151 GP) for the second-fewest games to 100 assists among defensemen in franchise history, trailing only Sergei Zubov (127 GP). 

NHL PODCAST WEEKLY ROUNDUP

* Fantasy on Ice (12/6): Guests David Satriano and James Harding highlight the best fantasy pickups 
* NHL @TheRink (12/8): Guest Keith Jones joins Dan Rosen and Shawn Roarke of NHL.com 
* The Chirp (12/9): Guest Ray Ferraro talks Trevor Zegras, Auston Matthews and more 
* Fantasy on Ice (12/9): Sportsnet’s Nick Alberga and FTN Network’s Chris Meaney take fan questions

WESTERN CONFERENCE-LEADING WILD LOOK FOR NINTH STRAIGHT WIN
Minnesota (19-6-1, 39 points), which owns the best record in the Western Conference, can extend its winning streak to nine contests during Saturday’s 12-game slate. The Wild have earned victories in nine or more consecutive games twice in franchise history.

Some other storylines to follow:

* Kirill Kaprizov (5-9—14 in 7 GP) carries a seven-game assist streak into Minnesota’s matchup with Los Angeles, while Wild goaltender Cam Talbot has earned wins in each of his last six appearances dating to Nov. 24 (1.79 GAA, .950 SV%). Kaprizov can match the franchise record for longest assist streak, a mark set by Jim Dowd from Feb. 27 to March 17, 2002 (1-9—10 in 8 GP).

* Steven Stamkos (13-19—32 in 25 GP) and the Lightning (17-5-4, 38 points) look to sweep their five-game road trip when they visit the Senators (7-16-1, 15 points) at Canadian Tire Centre. Tampa Bay can sweep a road trip of five or more contests for the first time in franchise history.

* Leon Draisaitl (23-22—45 in 25 GP) can reach 25 goals on the season as the Oilers (16-9-0, 32 points) host the Hurricanes (18-6-1, 37 points) in a rematch of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final. The last NHLer to hit the 25-goal mark in 26 games played or fewer was Jaromir Jagr with Pittsburgh in 1996-97 (26-10—36 in 26 GP).