Top 5: Sidney Crosby, the ninth highest scorer of all time

Last night, the Canadiens did not play, even though it was Thursday.

However, 20 teams were in action.

Here are the results and highlights:

That’s a wrap on a 10-game Thursday that featured four teams scoring six goals, two teams skating to shutout victories and Sidney Crosby climbing the NHL’s all-time points list.#NHLStats: https://t.co/BO04GUQWTY pic.twitter.com/qIjWnvI0E7

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 10, 2025

1. Sidney Crosby, the ninth all-time points leader

To become the ninth all-time points leader in NHL history, Sidney Crosby needed just two points.

And he collected those two points in the first period. The Penguins captain surpassed Joe Sakic with 1,642 points. Not bad!

Point No. 1,642 for Sid! pic.twitter.com/d9nyXb9GgY

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2025

He still has a long way to go before catching up to a certain Mario Lemieux.

By the end of No. 87’s career, where will he rank on this list?

Complete the sentence: Sidney Crosby will finish his career at _th place among the best scorers in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/Wouclmq7KJ

— RDS (@RDSca) January 10, 2025

As for the game against the Oilers, Pittsburgh started the match strong by scoring four goals in the first period.

And in the second period, Sid even scored the team’s fifth goal, bringing his total points to 1,643.

Have yourself a night, Sidney Crosby! pic.twitter.com/DbHhmR69xi

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2025

In the 5-3 loss, Leon Draisaitl became the first player of the 2024-2025 season to score 30 goals.

He ended the game with two goals, his 30th and 31st of the season.

30 for Leon

Leon Draisaitl is the first player in the NHL to reach 30 goals this season!

: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ https://t.co/4KjbdjVctF pic.twitter.com/6MvZyIpRTo

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025

Leon Draisaitl nets his second of the game. pic.twitter.com/2Xw6aK3FhA

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 10, 2025

2. 10 points in 10 games for Jonathan Drouin

Since joining Colorado, Jonathan Drouin has revived his career.

His 56 points last year earned him another contract in the NHL, and this year, even though he does not play much, he is making an impact. In the games he was in uniform, he collected points.

In 10 games this season, the Québécois has 10 points. Yesterday, in a 6-1 victory for the Avalanche in Minnesota, he registered two assists.

Colorado goal!

Scored by Mikko Rantanen with 07:00 remaining in the 2nd period.

Assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin.

Minnesota: 1
Colorado: 3#COLvsMIN #mnwild #GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/2AnfDRHR4z

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 10, 2025

It was a night to forget for the Wild at home.

First, the team only had one professional goalie in uniform.

You’re not gonna believe this, Dylan Ferguson – the goalie the #mnwild signed two days ago just in case Fleury or Gustavsson got hurt or sick – got hurt last night. So with Jesper Wallstedt hurt and Samuel Hlavaj making too much money, the Wild’s in a pickle w Fleury sick https://t.co/KaSwTfbNjL

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) January 9, 2025

And the only healthy goalie, Filip Gustavsson, allowed six goals on 27 shots.

One cannot say he was helped by his teammates…

That’s a belated holiday gift right there

Declan Chisholm fans on a puck and Ross Colton can’t believe his luck pic.twitter.com/FFaB6lTXtk

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 10, 2025

3. A first NHL goal for Denton Mateychuk

When thinking of future great NHL defensemen, Denton Mateychuk’s name rarely comes to mind.

But he should certainly not be forgotten, as he has a bright future ahead. Yesterday, he scored his first goal in his eighth NHL game.

DENTON MATEYCHUK SCORES HIS FIRST NHL GOAL pic.twitter.com/faekMZsR21

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 10, 2025

Just moments earlier, another defenseman from the Jackets made his presence felt.

Zach Werenski scored a goal, extending his point streak to 16 home games.

Zach Werenski does it again

That’s now 16 home games in a row with a point! #NHLStats: https://t.co/J9STRFRF4z pic.twitter.com/0fla6cRYUP

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025

The Jackets ultimately crushed the Kraken with a score of 6-2, and like the Penguins, they moved three points ahead of the Canadiens.

Columbus (tied with Pittsburgh) holds the last playoff spot.

4. Already 20 shutouts in Ilya Sorokin’s career

In the late evening game, the Islanders faced the Golden Knights.

New York won the game 4-0. Ilya Sorokin put in a 30-save performance, achieving the 20th shutout of his career.

He became the second-fastest goalie to reach this milestone (222 games).

30 saves for No. 30!

Ilya Sorokin becomes the second-fastest goalie to reach 20 career @pepsi shutouts (222GP)! pic.twitter.com/E92oOwavry

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025

There was nothing the locals could do: the Russian goalie was unbeatable.

Unlike Gustavsson (Wild), Sorokin had support from his teammates.

Anders Lee first opened the scoring in his 800th NHL game.

Lee nets one during his 800th #NHL game! #LGI | @Ford pic.twitter.com/HdznHFhHif

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 10, 2025

And in the second period, Bo Horvat tripled the lead for his team.

The Islanders are in full control at @TVASports pic.twitter.com/X1NV2Ahexc

— TVA Sports (@TVASports) January 10, 2025

5. A minus-3 for Matvei Michkov

It is important to mention that I am not the biggest fan of the plus-minus statistic (+/-).

It does not necessarily determine a player’s impact, especially if they play for a team that is too strong or too weak. But in Matvei Michkov’s case, we have to talk about it, as things are not going well in this regard.

Yesterday, he finished the game (a 4-1 loss) against the Stars with a minus-3.

And in his last 12 games, he has a minus-17. That’s cold…

Even though he had an extraordinary season, the Russian has slowed down lately, as he now has 29 points in 40 games.

He has no points in his last five games and only two in his last 13 outings.

If at the beginning of the season he was a favorite for the Calder Trophy, he has recently slipped.

Lane Hutson and Macklin Celebrini are ahead of him right now. It’s up to him to bounce back.

Overtime

– 600th point for Point.

POINT NUMBER 600 FOR POINT pic.twitter.com/KncaSSUpGv

— Spittin’ Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) January 10, 2025

– Jordan Staal takes care of the Leafs.

CAPTAIN CAROLINA

Jordan Staal, with a big game on Thursday night, collects his fourth career hat trick!

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

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025

– Not ideal in a playoff race.

Sens are 1-5-1 in their last 7.

— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) January 10, 2025

– The Rangers escape with a victory in overtime.

SAM CARRICK IS THE OT HERO!!

The @NYRangers take this one in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/4fMVdU1P9Y

— NHL (@NHL) January 10, 2025

– Six players with three points yesterday.

– Five games on the slate.