NHL Public Relations

December 29, 2022

* The Red Wings rallied from a four-goal deficit completed by Jake Walman’s overtime winner which he celebrated with “The Griddy” – an NFL touchdown celebration converted to the ice.

* Andrei Vasilevskiy and Linus Ullmark each boosted their 2022 win totals to help the Lightning and Bruins earn victories Wednesday.

* Winnipeg forward Sam Gagner (190-326—516 in 999 GP) is set to become the 15th player to reach the 1,000-game milestone in 2022 as part of an 11-game Thursday.

RED WINGS EARN RARE FOUR-GOAL COMEBACK WIN IN PITTSBURGH
After falling behind 4-0 in the first period, Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin got his team on the board midway through the second frame to kickstart a four-goal comeback, capped by Jake Walman’s overtime winner. Four first-year Red Wings found the score sheet (Elmer Soderblom: 1-0—1, Jonatan Berggren: 1-0—1, Ben Chiarot: 0-1—1 & Andrew Copp: 0-1—1), while Magnus Hellberg stopped all 19 shots he faced in relief to earn his first win in his second stint with the club.

* The Red Wings claimed just their fourth four-goal comeback victory in franchise history and first in nearly 40 years, following Dec. 4, 1984 (7-6 W vs. TOR), Feb. 22, 1972 (5-4 W vs. TOR) and Nov. 3, 1960 (8-5 W vs. BOS). It also marked the first four-goal comeback victory on the road in Detroit’s 96-year history.

AS WE NEAR THE END OF THE YEAR…

Andrei Vasilevskiy and Linus Ullmark each earned wins Wednesday to add to their calendar year totals:

* Vasilevskiy stopped 25 of 26 shots to improve to 50-32-3 in 2022 (regular season & playoffs combined). This marks his second calendar year with at least 50 wins (also 64-21-4 in 2021) – only two goaltenders in NHL history have more 50-win years: Martin Brodeur (5: 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001 & 2000) and Patrick Roy (3: 2001, 2000 & 1996).

* Ullmark made 30 saves to help the Bruins (28-4-3, 59 points) extend their point streak to nine games (7-0-2) and boost their lead atop the NHL standings, seven points more than the next-closest team: Carolina (23-6-6, 52 points). Ullmark earned his 39th victory of 2022 and tied Tuukka Rask (39 in 2013) for the most wins in a calendar year by a Bruins goaltender. Boston still has one game remaining before the new year (Dec. 31 vs. BUF). 

ZEGRAS REACHES 100-POINT MILESTONE ON #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Trevor Zegras recorded his 30th career multi-point outing to surpass the 100-point milestone while John Gibson stopped 49 of 51 shots as a couple of Ducks landed themselves inside the latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates. Zegras also played a supporting role in creating a memorable night for Make-A-Wish recipient Jackson Lewis-Rodriguez, who led the Ducks onto the ice pre-game. The Ducks made Lewis-Rodriguez’s wish come true after signing him to a two-day contract and hosting him to a day full of epic experiences that included a tour of the practice facility, joining the team on the ice and spending time with his favorite players around the city. The young Ducks fan walked into the arena alongside Zegras, who sported a t-shirt with Lewis-Rodriguez’s reaction to meeting him last March.

QUICK CLICKS

* Maple Leafs fined $100,000 for violating collective bargaining agreement
*Sheldon Keefe of Maple Leafs fined $25,000 for demeaning conduct toward officials

* Winter Classic at Fenway stirs memories of first outdoor game in Boston

*Bobby Orr, Zdeno Chara to take part in ‘unique’ puck drop at Winter Classic

* World Junior Championship roundup: Connor Bedard‘s 7 points power Canada

SKATING INTO AN 11-GAME THURSDAY

Thursday is set to feature 22 teams in action, including Winnipeg forward Sam Gagner (190-326—516 in 999 GP) who will be skating in his 1,000th career game against Vancouver, which he played 81 contests with (11-23—34). Gagner remains the only active skater to record eight points in a single game (4-4—8 on Feb. 2, 2012) – tied for the second-most points in a contest in NHL history.

Storylines to watch out for Thursday:

* Erik Karlsson enters Thursday after establishing a franchise-record assist streak at 10 games in his last outing (2-14—16 in 10 GP). Should he extend his point streak to 11 contests, he will become just the fourth player in Sharks history to achieve the feat, joining Jonathan Cheechoo (12 GP in 2005-06), Rob Gaudreau (12 GP in 1992-93) and Todd Elik (11 GP in 1993-94).

* The Wild (20-12-2, 42 points) will aim to extend their home winning streak to eight games when they welcome their Central Division rivals to Xcel Energy Center – the Stars (21-9-6, 48 points) currently occupy first place in the division. Minnesota can tie the second-longest home win streak in franchise history (8 GP in 2016-17 & 2x in 2006-07) and would trail an 11-contest run from 2020-21.

* Washington has wins in each of its past five games and can post a winning streak of at least six contests for the first time since 2020-21 (7 GP from March 7-19, 2021). Erik Gustafsson has led the Capitals through their run (5-4—9 in 5 GP) and became the first Washington defenseman with five goals in a five-game span since Mike Green in 2012-13. He has posted nine points in a five-contest run just one other time in his career: 0-9—9 from Feb. 20 – March 2, 2019 with Chicago.

* Bo Horvat has four points in each of his past two outings and can become the first Canucks player to do so in three straight games. Only nine different players in NHL history have recorded four-plus points in three or more straight contests with the last instance occurring 30 years ago: Steve Yzerman (3 GP in 1992-93). The Canucks captain has also led his team through their seven-game road winning streak, tallying 6-7—13 dating to the start of their run on Nov. 15.

COURTESY NHLmedia.com