WHAT DA PUCK - WEEKLY RECAP

2023-01-17 · 4 min read · NHL/Hockey

Vince Dunn, Bruce Boudreau and Alex Ovechkin

Andy Devlin/NHLI | Brad Rempel and Joe Camporeale via USA Today

Another week, another NHL goals record for Alexander Ovechkin. This time he tied Legend Mike Gartner for the most 30 goal seasons in history when he reached his 17th this past week. The 37-year-old managed the impressive feat Saturday night against the Philadelphia Flyers, putting a backhander to the twine off his own rebound in the first period. With the goal Ovechkin has now scored at least 30 in all but one of his 18 seasons, the exception being when he scored 24 in 45 games during the 2020-21 season which the league shortened to a 56-game schedule due to the Covid pandemic.

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Gartner, who happens to have played his first 10 seasons with the Capitals scored 30 goals in 17 of his 19 before retiring in 1998. Ovechkin (2005-06 to 19-20) and Gartner (1979-80 to 93-94) share the NHL record of consecutive thirty goal Seasons at 15 with Jaromir Jagr (1991-92 to 2006-07), Jagr’s however ended due to him leaving the NHL for a multi-year KHL stint. Interestingly enough, adding another similarity to Ovie, Gartner's streak ended during the lockout shortened 1994-95 season, during which he scored 12 goals in 38 games. The Great Eight is also on a tear recently having scored 10 goals in his past 11 games, putting him on pace to pass the 50 goals mark this season.

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If Ovie can pass 50 he would also pass Wayne Gretzky for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history with 13, as well as Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most 50-goal seasons with 10.

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The Kraken have been released (sorry I had to), setting the record for the longest road trip sweep in NHL history this past week. On a seven-game road trip the Kraken swept their opponents becoming the first team in league history to win all games on a road trip of seven or more. On the same night they set the record, the Kraken also won a franchise-best 8th win in a row, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 8-5 at United Center on Saturday to set these records. They came out firing in that game scoring six goals on their first seven shots in the first period, including five in a span of 3:41.

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Interestingly, that is only the 15th fastest five goals by one team in NHL history; that record is held by The Pittsburgh Penguins who scored five times in 2:07 on Nov. 22, 1972, in a 10-4 win against the St. Louis Blues. The Seattle Kraken's eight-game winning streak ended against the Tampa Bay Lightning, losing 4-1 at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday. Yet a different Kraken streak was continued against Tampa Bay as defenseman Vince Dunn scored the Krakens only goal to extend his point streak to seven games. Dunn's point streak is the longest in his NHL career and ties Adam Larsson for the longest by a Seattle defenseman in their short history. Dunn has four goals and 11 points in those seven games, and he will look to make it eight Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers (Update Dunn scored another goal to extend his point streak).

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Despite their winning streak ending there is much to be excited about as a Kraken fan this season, from their exciting style of play to their impressive improvement on last year's team, it seems increasingly likely that we will see these Kraken in this year's playoffs, possibly for an extended run. The difference between this year's Kraken and last year's is perhaps best summed up by the fact they won their 26th game on January 14th, a mark they didn't hit in their inaugural season until April 20th, in their second last win of the year.

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A very interesting or possibly troubling situation has been brewing in Vancouver this season. From Tanner Pearson's unfortunate injury and the subsequent potentially questionable handling of his health, to Captain Bo Horvat as well as almost all other players on the roster reportedly being available for trade. Now we have a new development where multiple sources this past week claimed that the Canucks have spoken to and are quite interested in hiring former Tampa Bay Lighting and Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet when Boudreau’s tenure ends, with the main issue being Boudreau is seemingly in the middle of his tenure right now. There are even rumours that Tocchet has given notice in his current position as analyst at TNT, which is required to be given multiple weeks in advance of him leaving.

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After the Canucks 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers Saturday night Boudreau was asked about the rumours regarding his job. The veteran coach responded with a grunt and a grimace before remarking “I just wake up every day and go to work until they tell me not to”. Boudreau is in the second year of a 2-year contract, one he was signed to by the GM who had the job before Canucks current GM Jim Rutherford. Speaking of the Canucks GM he held an extremely interesting press conference Monday to address the state of the Canucks and the rumours that surround them. Rutherford was very blunt throughout the presser remarking “I’m disappointed in the job that I’ve done to this point.” The 73-year-old went on to say, “When I came here, I knew it was going to be a big challenge, and I thought we’d have to do minor surgery…We have to do major surgery.” Rutherford was then asked about Boudreau to which he quickly remarked “All I can say is that Bruce is our coach right now.”

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My favourite moment of the presser was definitely when Rutherford was questioned on the Canucks outlook on the season, and if he would consider tanking. “I thought we were tanking, we’re pretty close to the bottom.”, Rutherford said deadpan. He then elaborated “I'll say the obvious. We all want the first overall pick. This year of all years.” he added, alluding to potential franchise changer and North Vancouver native Connor Bedard.

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Quick Wristers

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson will be out for the remainder of the season after having shoulder surgery, the Leafs said on Monday. The 21-year-old forward sustained the injury when he was hit by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy in the first period of the Maple Leafs' 5-0 win on Dec. 8. Robertson was initially expected to miss 6-8 weeks after choosing to attempt to rehab the injury, but it was decided recently that surgery would be required. The expected recovery time is six months. Robertson, who was selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 53) of the 2019 NHL Draft, has five points in 15 games this season

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P.K. Subban was honoured by the Montreal Canadiens this week before a matchup with the Nashville Predators Thursday night. Subban played his first seven seasons for the Canadiens before he was traded in a summer blockbuster to the Predators for Shea Weber. Subban retired last year after a 13-season NHL career playing 434 games for the Canadiens, 211 for the Predators in the next three years and finally 189 his final three with the New Jersey Devils, having been traded on June 22, 2019, by Nashville to the Devils with Adam Helewka for two draft picks. Subban scored 115 goals with 352 assists for 467 points in 834 games, adding another 18 goals and 44 assists in 96 playoff games. Subban's foundation (P.K.’s helping hands) committed to helping raise 10 million for the Montreal children's hospital when he played there.

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One of the faces of the NHL and likely its best player Connor McDavid came out last week about his dislike of the shootout. In an interview this week McDavid said, “No one loves the shootout, it’s a crappy way to finish a game.” His comments have led to some other players and analysts asking if three on three overtime should be increased to 10 minutes from the current five. Interestingly, 3-on-3 overtime in the East Coast Hockey League changed to a seven-minute format prior to the 2019-20 campaign but didn’t eliminate shootouts. This proved fairly successful, with more contests ending in the extra frame. The NHL first adopted 3-on-3 overtime ahead of the 2015-16 season, with continuous 5-on-5 overtime remaining unchanged in the playoffs.

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