This week, the NHL released a series of statistics and trends in review of the 2023 calendar year. Some of the names and numbers might be a bit unexpected!
'Tis the season for the NHL's 'Year in Review' according to league statistics, and while some the top players and records for the year might not necessarily be shocking, like Edmonton captain Connor McDavid racking up the most points in the league, there were definitely some notable areas to consider.
According to the NHL, scoring in 2023 increased to "a rate of 6.3 goals-per-game in consecutive calendar years for the first time in three decades." Comeback wins have always increased in occurrence, with 574 games last year resulting in the trailing team grabbing two points at the end of the game. 228 of those contests consisted of third-period comebacks.
More than 200 league-wide and franchise records were set last year, including one which Canadiens fans won't necessarily be pleased to hear. After finishing 2022 with 137 points, and garnering 125 points in 2023, the Boston Bruins set a new record for "the most regular-season wins and points over a two-year span" with 124 wins and 262 points. That honor was previously held by the Montreal Canadiens, who had 118 wins and 258 points in 1977 and 1978 combined.
In addition to McDavid's dominance, Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon hit the 135 point mark in regular season games in 2023, allowing for his name to join icons like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Guy Lafleur in hockey history.
How is that possible? Well, you're going to have to watch my latest edition of Habs Hockey Report to find out! Click the video below and I'll walk you through all the details, plus tell you how Radko Gudas, Quinn Hughes, and Brayden Point all made the last as well: 2023 NHL Statistics and Trends: The Results Might Surprise You!
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPOOulgnOsI[/embed]
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