Top-3: Nikita Kucherov breaks a record… set by Martin St-Louis

Only four games were played in the NHL on Wednesday night.

Here are the evening’s scores and highlights.

Zach Hyman joined Auston Matthews (3), Frank Vatrano (2) and Brayden Point (2) as the fourth skater with multiple hat tricks this season as the @EdmontonOilers extended their win streak to five games.#NHLStats: https://t.co/O0F2KkDHIa pic.twitter.com/oRnOp3VxoO

– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 7, 2023

1: Nikita Kucherov breaks a Martin St-Louis record

Before yesterday’s games, Nikita Kucherov was the National Hockey League’s leading scorer.

And at the time of writing this morning, he still is.

Kuch had a good game against the Penguins, collecting a goal and an assist and helping his club win the game. The Russian now has 44 points (17 goals) in 26 games…

And with an assist in his eleventh consecutive duel, Nikita Kucherov surpassed the mark (10) he shared with Brad Richards and Martin St-Louis.

He’s dominating at the start of the season. He’s scoring goals all the time, and yesterday’s was magnificent:

KUUUCH! WHAT A SHOT!

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/JDAJHsQr0b

– NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2023

At this rate, Kucherov could finish the season with more than 135 points if he’s able to stay healthy.

I hope he does.

2: Connor McDavid and the Oilers are awake

Finally, finally and finally.

The Oilers are finally starting to play like the Oilers we know.

The club had a great test last night, as the mighty Hurricanes visited Edmonton. And, quite frankly, the Oilers succeeded in their mission, winning the game by a score of 6-1.

A real thaw, as the saying goes. After just five minutes of play, Alberta was already leading 3-0…

Captain Connor McDavid stood out with three assists in the win. He now has 19 points in his last seven games, which is good news for the Alberta club.

When McJesus is in form, he’s hard to stop.

Zach Hyman’s performance is also worth mentioning: the feisty little forward scored three goals to complete his second hat trick of the season.

He’s been having a lot of fun since he’s been in Edmonton:

The second hat trick of the season for @ZachHyman!

Hat Trick Challenge presented by @AstraZenecaUS pic.twitter.com/HCVUPlF5yI

– NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2023

The Oilers have made a poor start to the season and are still far down the standings in their division.

However, the club has just won five consecutive games and is heading in the right direction. Will they be able to come from behind and qualify for the next playoffs?

If McDavid continues to perform like he is right now, I think the Oilers have a good chance.

3: Golden Knights crush the Blues

The Vegas Golden Knights are one of the best teams in the NHL this season, and followed up their strong start with a 6-3 win over the Blues.

It was three quick goals midway through the second period that gave the Knights their confidence boost: Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault and Keegan Kolesar scored three goals in the space of 2 minutes and 36 seconds…

And the Blues were never able to come back from behind :

The @GoldenKnights have taken the lead after scoring THREE GOALS IN 2:36! pic.twitter.com/U5m8AdakdH

– NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2023

Jordan Binnington’s outing in defeat was noteworthy, however, as he stopped 43 of the 48 pucks directed at him.

The Golden Knights were really aggressive in the game.

In a gust

– Wow.

JORDAN KYROU, ARE YOU SERIOUS?!

This. Is. Incredible. pic.twitter.com/POH8athjUm

– NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2023

– Three straight games with at least one goal for Carter Verhaeghe.

Make that a goal in three straight games for Carter Verhaeghe!

: @NHL_on_TNT & @SportsonMax https://t.co/W9mpYG1lMO pic.twitter.com/DJcP56ETjE

– NHL (@NHL) December 7, 2023