Top Scorer of the Week
This title was decided on the very last day of play. Connor McDavid and his Edmonton teammates hosted Vegas, and he contributed a goal and two assists in a 4-3 win, finishing the week with 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in four games.
The NHL’s points leader averaged 22 minutes and 36 seconds of ice time and was especially dominant on the power play, where he collected seven points. Pittsburgh suffered the most, as he was involved in four goals against them.
Goalie of the Week
The only netminder to notch three wins was Linus Ullmark of Ottawa. He first helped his team edge out a dangerous Winnipeg squad in overtime, then shone with his first shutout of the season in a 4-0 win over Pittsburgh, and on Saturday, enjoyed a 6-2 victory over Boston - his former team.
He allowed just four goals on 70 shots, posting a save percentage of 94.3%. With 14 wins, he’s currently eighth in the league.
Story of the Week
Mid-December saw two major trades shake up the NHL, including a swap of starting goalies between Edmonton and Pittsburgh. By coincidence, the two teams faced off just days later, with the Oilers now starting Tristan Jarry in net and the Penguins turning to Stuart Skinner.
Jarry had already made a winning debut 6-3 against Toronto, but for Skinner, this was his first game for his new team against a Canadian opponent. It was clear that both goalies were still adjusting to their new roles. While both Canadians wore new jerseys, they were still using their old masks - a rare sight.
Skinner had a rough start, conceding his first goal in the 12th minute to Zach Hyman, with Leon Draisaitl picking up his second assist on the play and becoming the first German in NHL history to reach 1,000 points.
All his teammates immediately jumped onto the ice to celebrate, leaving Skinner to watch as the guys he’d shared a locker room with for years enjoyed the moment - while he could only look down at the ice in disappointment...
Edmonton won the game 6-4, and the man who had helped the Oilers reach the finals twice in the last two years was left answering questions postgame.
"It was really strange. Like I’d taken a nap and woken up on the wrong side of the ice. This definitely wasn’t how I wanted to start—I could have helped the guys more on a few of those goals," he told NHL.com.
And how does the trade look so far? Jarry has played three games and won them all, but had to leave the game against Boston with an injury and will likely be out for several weeks. Skinner, meanwhile, has struggled along with the Pens and is still searching for his first win with his new team.
Stat of the Week
Sidney Crosby continues to impress - this season is really going his way. On Sunday, he helped end Pittsburgh’s eight-game losing streak and made history once again. With 1,724 points, he became the highest-scoring player in Penguins history, surpassing his mentor and the man he lived with at the start of his NHL career - Mario Lemieux.
That, of course, means a historic leap - Crosby is now eighth all-time in the NHL, just 31 points behind seventh-place Steve Yzerman. He could very well catch him this season...
Social Media Highlight
Rookie goalie Jacob Fowler of Montreal is proving that goalies really are a unique breed. This ritual was a big moment for the talented youngster, whom the Canadiens hope will become their long-term starter. It led to a 4-0 win over Pittsburgh and the first shutout of his career.
Photo of the Week
Czech forward Martin Necas picked up two assists in Colorado’s 5-3 win over Seattle. He could have had a goal as well, but the crafty Czech from Colorado scored with his hand, so it didn’t count.
