* Alex Ovechkin notched his third outing with three-plus points in 2021-22, including his 741st career goal to move into a tie for fourth place on the NHL’s all-time list.
* Igor Shesterkin improved to 8-0-0 when making at least 40 saves and helped the Rangers bring a halt to the Panthers’ season-opening point streak.
* The Kings now own the NHL’s longest active win streak after Jonathan Quick defeated former teammate Jack Campbell and the Maple Leafs.
OVECHKIN TIES HULL FOR FOURTH ON ALL-TIME GOALS LIST
Alex Oveckhin (1-2—3) scored his NHL-best 11th goal of 2021-22 and the 741st of his career to move into a tie with Brett Hull for fourth place on the League’s all-time goals list.
* Ovechkin also recorded his 600th career assist Monday and became just the second player in Capitals history to reach the mark, joining Nicklas Backstrom (722). He is also one of only nine active players to reach the milestone.
* Among players to start a season at age 36 or older, Ovechkin (11-10—21 in 12 GP) required the second-fewest games in NHL history to reach the 20-point mark in a season – tied with 40-year-old Gordie Howe (12 GP in 1968-69 w/ DET), 37-year-old Johnny Bucyk (12 GP in 1972-73 w/ BOS) and 36-year-old Maurice Richard (12 GP in 1957-58 w/ MTL). Thirty-seven-year-old Mario Lemieux (9 GP in 2002-03) is the only one to reach the mark in fewer contests.
GOALTENDERS HELP RANGERS, KINGS SNAP OPPONENTS’ STREAKS
The Rangers (7-3-3, 17 points) and Kings (6-5-1, 13 points) each brought an end to their opponent’s streak Monday thanks to pivotal performances.
* Igor Shesterkin (42 saves), who improved to 8-0-0 when making 40-plus saves in a game, withstood a late Panthers rally as the Rangers halted Florida’s season-opening point streak at 11 contests. He became the fourth goaltender since 1955-56 (when shots on goal began being tracked) to win each of his first eight or more games when making at least 40 saves, joining Tuukka Rask (11-0-0 from Feb. 9, 2010 – March 23, 2018 w/ BOS), Matt Murray (8-0-0 from Dec. 14, 2016 – Dec. 28, 2019 w/ PIT) and Roland Melanson (8-0-0 from Oct. 15, 1981 – Oct. 20, 1984 w/ NYI).
* Phillip Danault (2-1—3) recorded his eighth career outing with three-plus points and Jonathan Quick (33 saves) defeated former teammate Jack Campbell in their first head-to-head meeting as Los Angeles extended the NHL’s longest active win streak to five games. The Kings, whose winning ways come on the heels of a 1-5-1 start to 2021-22, brought an end to Toronto’s five-game win streak.
BOYLE SHARES STORY OF PERSEVERANCE IN RETURN TO NHL IN 2021-22
Brian Boyle, who remained unsigned through the entirety of the 2020-21 season and signed a one-year contract with the Penguins hours before opening night, spoke to NHL.com about how his perseverance as a cancer survivor played a big role in resuming his NHL career. Click here to read more.
HURRICANES, OILERS AIM FOR 10TH WIN OF THE SEASON
The Hurricanes (9-1-0) and Oilers (9-1-0) will each look to earn their 10th win of 2021-22 when they take on the Lightning and Red Wings, respectively, on a 10-game Tuesday. Carolina and Edmonton can both set franchise marks for the fewest games to 10 wins (CAR: 13 GP in 2020-21 & 2005-06) and (EDM: 12 GP in 1984-85 & 1985-86).
* Leon Draisaitl has recorded three or more points in each of his last three contests (5-5—10). He can become just the third player in Oilers history to register four or more consecutive games with three-plus points, a feat teammate Connor McDavid achieved in 2020-21 (4 GP).
* McDavid enters Tuesday with 10-game season-opening point streak (8-14—22), tied with Sam Gagner (10 GP) for the fourth-longest such run in Oilers history. Gretzky holds the top three spots (51 GP in 1983-84, 30 GP in 1982-83 & 16 GP in 1984-85).
