* A total of 20 teams are in action on Oct. 31, marking the NHL’s busiest Halloween since 2015 (10 GP). The schedule includes six matinees, starting at 1 p.m. ET, and is highlighted by four games on Sportsnet: Connor McDavid and the Oilers put their franchise-record season-opening road winning streak on the line against Matthew Schaefer and the Islanders (2 p.m. ET); Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs visit Halloween-hat-trick-scorer Elias Pettersson and the Canucks (7 p.m. ET); Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins into Montreal (7 p.m. ET); and the final treat of the night features Nathan MacKinnon and the reigning Presidents’ Trophy-winning Avalanche hosting the Flames (10 p.m. ET).
* The most points during a game on Halloween is six, by Tage Thompson (2022; 3-3—6), Wayne Gretzky (1989; 3-3—6) and Bobby Clarke (1976; 2-4—6). Corey Perry (2008; 1-4—5) is the only other active player with at least five points on Halloween.
* The most goals during a game on Halloween is four, by Kevin Dineen (1993) and Wayne Gretzky (1981). Elias Pettersson (2023) had the most recent Halloween hat trick, one of 23 in NHL history.
* Since 1955, the most saves by a goaltender during a game on Halloween is 50, by Ondrej Pavelec (2009). Lukas Dostal (43 in 2024) has the most among active goaltenders.
* The most goals by one team during a game on Halloween is 11, by the Oilers (1981). That game against the Nordiques also set a record for total goals on Halloween, with the 15 combined tallies matched only once since – the other was a 9-6 Flyers win against the Blackhawks in 1993.
* The most career points during games on Halloween is 21, by Wayne Gretzky (12-9—21 in 8 GP), seven more than the next-closest players Rod Brind’Amour (2-12—14 in 11 GP) and Paul Coffey (2-12—14 in 9 GP). Martin Necas (3-8—11 in 4 GP) has the most among active players.
* The most career goals during games on Halloween is 12, by Wayne Gretzky (8 GP), five more than the next-closest player Doug Gilmour (7 in 5 GP). Patrick Kane (4 in 3 GP), Chris Kreider (4 in 4 GP) and Corey Perry (4 in 5 GP) share the most among active skaters.
* The most career wins by a goaltender during games on Halloween is five, by Patrick Roy (5-2-0 in 7 GP). Frederik Andersen (3-0-0 in 3 GP) has the most among active netminders.
* The most wins by a team during games on Halloween is 15, by the Maple Leafs (15-10-3). The Flames (10-2-0, 20 points) have the highest winning and points percentages (both .833).
* A total of 23 players in NHL history were born on Halloween (min. 1 GP, regular season or playoffs), including Hockey Hall of Fame member Newsy Lalonde and current Wild veteran Nick Foligno.
* The first games during the month of October in League history took place on Halloween in 1942, when the Canadiens edged the Bruins at the Montreal Forum (3-2) and the Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers (7-2) to open the League’s 26th season. With some NHLers called to duty for World War II, Don Gallinger (17 years, 198 days) made his League debut with Boston – which had several skaters enlist including its famous “Kraut Line” – and became the youngest player in NHL history. Gallinger was bested on that list less than two weeks later by teammate Bep Guidolin (16 years, 338 days on Nov. 12, 1942).
* Several players have first or last names that fit the Halloween theme, including: Jim Boo, Boo Nieves, Claudio Scremin and Petri Skriko. A few other spooky-sounding monikers: Adam Deadmarsh, Shayne Gostisbehere, Yanni Gourde, Adam Graves, Kaiden Guhle, Ron Hextall, Miroslav Satan, Steve Webb and Dustin Wolf.
* Several players and executives in NHL history share the same name as notable horror characters, directors or writers, including: Bates Battaglia, Bobby Carpenter, Murray Craven, Scott Gomez, Ken Hitchcock, Steve Kasper, Steven King, Marcus Kruger and Tyler Myers. There are also a few horror-inspired nicknames like Johnny “Black Cat” Gagnon, Stu “The Grim Reaper” Grimson, Curtis “CuJo” Joseph and Brady “Chucky” Tkachuk.
