Most productive player
Last week, 11 players collected six points each, so how do we pick a standout from them? Well, four of them scored three goals, but among this group, Connor McDavid played the fewest games - just three.
The Edmonton captain was also the only one to add a game-winning goal, sealing the victory against Seattle, where he netted a hat-trick in a dominant 9-4 win.
It was his 13th career hat trick in the NHL, and his first since October 2022. Over the week, he fired 13 shots and averaged 19 minutes and 47 seconds of ice time. Overall, McDavid sits third in the NHL scoring race with 42 points.
Goaltender of the week
The Dallas Stars are currently riding a 10-game point streak (8-0-2), thanks in large part to American netminder Jake Oettinger. The team’s star stopped New Jersey, San Jose, and Pittsburgh, posted a shutout, and turned aside 73 of 76 shots last week.
The 3-0 win over New Jersey also marked 12 straight road games with at least a point for the Texan club - a new franchise record. Oettinger now has 14 wins this season, the most among all NHL goalies.
Highlight of the week
Saturday’s game against Vancouver didn’t go well for goalie Jesper Wallstedt, as the 4-2 loss was his first regulation defeat of the season, coming in his 11th game. The talented Swede, whom Minnesota made a first-round pick a few years ago, has otherwise been dazzling this season.
For example, in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Edmonton, he posted his fourth shutout of the season, in just his 10th game. Even stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl were left shaking their heads.
"We’re playing great defence, and the guys are battling for each other. I’m really enjoying it - I've never had a run like this," Wallstedt told NHL.com.
The November Rookie of the Month has now recorded five shutouts in his first 15 career games (one came last season), a mark only Frank Brimsek reached faster - he did it in nine games. Brimsek, nicknamed 'Mr. Zero', accomplished that feat way back in 1938!
And a quick note about the game against the Canucks: Vancouver was the first Canadian team to score past Wallstedt this season. Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Calgary had all come up empty against him.
Stat of the week
Among the NHL’s top scorers is still 19-year-old forward Macklin Celebrini, who, along with other young talents, is leading the charge for San Jose.
He’s already surpassed the 40-point mark this season, needing just 27 games to do it. Only Wayne Gretzky and Sidney Crosby reached that milestone faster among teenagers.
Social media highlight
For several years now, defenseman Arber Xhekaj has set the tone in Montreal, earning a reputation as one of the NHL’s toughest players.
His brother Florian has also suited up for the Canadiens for a few games, and to help him adjust, his older sibling is passing on some hands-on experience - literally... without the gloves.
Photo of the week
During a 5-1 win over Calgary, Canadian rookie Ozzy Wiesblatt of Nashville scored his first career goal - and dedicated it to someone special.
The Alberta native comes from a big hockey family; besides him, his three brothers have all played the Canadian national sport.
Orca Wiesblatt, sadly, died in a tragic car accident in mid-September, so the Predators forward dedicated his first NHL goal to his late brother.