NHL Must Watch, Oct. 12-18: Frozen Frenzy returns with 16 games in one night
With 32 teams, games every night and countless narratives emerging, the NHL season can make one’s head spin, and it’s easy to miss out on the weekly storylines. Not to worry; every Monday from October to April, I’ll map out the major events, games, plotlines and milestones on tap for the next seven days.
So what’s happening the week of Oct. 12-18?
Oct. 13: Frozen Frenzy returns with all 32 teams in action
For the fourth time in NHL history, 32 franchises will compete on a single day. The loaded slate is staggered with games starting mostly every 15 minutes. The Detroit Red Wings host the New Jersey Devils at 6:00 p.m. to kick off the action. The final matchup of the day will feature the Boston Bruins visiting the San Jose Sharks at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Jamie Benn’s 1,000th point
It has been more than a decade since Benn’s peak as an Art Ross Trophy winner, Olympic gold medallist and elite power forward. But he has soldiered on as a veteran leader for the Dallas Stars and now sits second in franchise history behind only Hall of Famer Mike Modano in goals and points. Benn, 37, opens the week six points shy of 1,000 for his career. Hitting that benchmark and perhaps nabbing that elusive Stanley Cup could push Benn’s resume to the Hall of Fame bubble.
Patrick Kane eyes U.S. assists record
Last season, ‘Showtime’ surpassed Modano for the most points from a U.S.-born player in NHL history. Kane begins this week just one assist behind Phil Housley for the most ever by an American-born player, and Kane’s Chicago Blackhawks play three times this week. If you’re wondering about the goals mark: Kane’s 509 still put him comfortably behind Modano’s 561. At Kane’s goal-scoring rate in his late 30s, he’ll need to play another season or two to threaten that record.
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