5 Best Stats in the NHL This Week

by

1. Martin Jones’ 9th Shutout

The San Jose Sharks’ Martin Jones has put up his ninth career shutout in just 37 career games. He hit the mark on Tuesday when the Sharks blanked the Ovechkin-less Washington Capitals 5-0.

That’s the fastest a goaltender has put up nine shutouts in their career since Frank Brismek grabbed his ninth shutout for the Boston Bruins back in the 1938-39 season. It took Brimsek just 28 games to hit the mark.

2. 4 Number One Picks Score

For the first time in NHL history, four number one overall draft picks scored in the same game for a single team. It happened in Saturday’s Battle of Alberta when Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Connor McDavid and Nail Yakupov all tallied for Edmonton.

Though, you probably could have guessed what team it was that did it without my saying so.

Also worth noting in that game, it was McDavid’s first multi-point game in the NHL. He put in a pair of goals and assisted on Yakupov’s first of the year.

RELATED: Connor McDavid Gets Comfortable in Big Weekend

3. 173:12 Between Goals

The Ducks have had a rough start to the season. For a team that should be a powerhouse, things haven’t clicked in the early going. They entered Sunday’s game against the undefeated-in-regulation Minnesota Wild 0-3-1. They had last scored when Sami Vatanen tallied under two minutes into the second period of a October 12 game against the Vancouver Canucks. They didn’t score again that game or in the next two games when the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche shut them out.

It was bleak. Four games into the season and Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler had yet to register a point.

That goalless streak came to an end on Sunday when Cam Fowler scored half way through the first period, kicking off a 4-1 win over Minnesota. In total, the Ducks went 173:12 without putting in a goal. It wasn’t until Rickard Rakell tipped in a goal at the end of the first that the Ducks got their first goal of the year from a forward.

4. 43 Years Old

There’s only one player in the NHL right now who is 40 or older. Jaromir “I’m bringing the mullet back” Jagr.

Jagr is tearing it up to start the season. He’s tied for fifth in the NHL in goals and has put up seven points in his first five games. With each successive goal he’s setting the bar a little higher for future hall of famers. He is now the third oldest player to ever score a goal in the NHL. Ahead of him? Chris Chelios at 45 and Gordie Howe at 51.

May there be many more years of Jagr.

RELATED: Tape2Tape: Jaromir Jagr Still Riding a Full Tank

5. Going 6-0

As of Monday morning the Montreal Canadiens are the NHL’s only undefeated team. They won six straight to open the season and that’s a franchise record, according to the NHL’s PR department.