On Wednesday goaltender Guy Hebert of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks posted his first shutout of the season when he stopped the Boston Bruins 3-0. This was the NHL’s 13th goose egg in the first 66 games for a shutout ratio just below 20 percent. At the current rate, goalies will topple last year’s league record of 160 shutouts with a month and a half to spare in the regular season.
ON A ROLL
Dallas defenseman Darryl Sydor has opened the season by matching a personal-best five-game consecutive point-scoring streak. This offensive-minded blueliner, who quarterbacks the Stars’ potent power-play unit, could ride this streak right into the record books with the league’s elite. The longest consecutive point-scoring streaks by defensemen are: %% %%
%% Points during streak
Games,Player Team Season Goals Assists Points
28 Paul Coffey Edmonton 1985-86 16 39 55
19 Ray Bourque Boston 1987-88 6 21 27
17 Ray Bourque Boston 1984-85 4 24 28
17 Brian Leetch N.Y. Rangers 1991-92 5 24 29
16 Gary Suter Calgary 1987-88 8 17 25
15 Bobby Orr Boston 1970-71 10 23 33
15 Bobby Orr Boston 1973-74 8 15 23
15 Steve Duchesne Quebec 1992-93 4 17 21
15 Chris Chelios Chicago 1995-96 4 16 20
%%
A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Wayne Gretzky got his 2,800th career point on on assist in the New York Rangers’ 3-3 tie with the Penguins in Pittsburgh last week. In his 20th NHL season the Great One continues to amaze. As of Wednesday he needed 14 goals to reach the 900-career-goal plateau. Only Gordie Howe (801), Marcel Dionne (731), Phil Esposito (717) and Mike Gartner (708) had even attained the 700-goal club.
CHASING EDDIE
On Tuesday the New York Rangers edged the Edmonton Oilers 3-2 to collect their first win of the season in their sixth game. The win moved goaltender Mike Richter into a tie with Gump Worsley for second place on the Rangers’ career wins list at 204. Richter is in good company as both the all-time New York leader. Eddie Giacomin (266 wins) and Worsley are Hall of Famers.
ON THE THRESHOLD
Paul Coffey and Doug Gilmour could reach milestones in career goals, assists and points while skating for the Blackhawks this season. %%
Paul Coffey Goals Assists Points
Career 383 1,090 1,473
Milestone 400 1,100 1,500
Needed to reach 17 10 27
Doug Gilmour Goals Assists Points
Career 382 799 1,181
Milestone 400 800 1,200
Needed to reach 18 1 19
%%
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
After spending the first 4 1/2 undistinguished seasons of his career with the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia left winger John LeClair has blossomed into the Flyers’ most consistent sniper and one of the league’s best power forwards. After his Feb. 9, 1995, arrival in the City of Brotherly Love, LeClair has more than doubled his points per game from 0.53 to 1.17 and tripled his goals per game from 0.22 to 0.63. His comparison performances are: %%
Montreal Philadelphia
Games 224 288
Goals 49 181
Assists 69 157
Points 118 338
Points/Game 0.53 1.17
Goals/Game 0.22 0.63 %%
