Quinn Hughes, the Canucks' defenseman, is just one point away from hitting a significant milestone. If he scores in this game, Hughes will be the first defenseman this season to get 40 points. This achievement would put him in a special group, alongside John Carlson (2019-20), Bryan McCabe (2005-06), and Brian Leetch (2000-01), who all reached 40 points in 32 games or fewer in the past 30 years.
An interesting point of comparison is that if Hughes scores today, he will achieve the feat in one game less than it took Erik Karlsson last season, who went on to become the first defenseman to reach 100 points since Brian Leetch in 1991-92.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks' young talent, Connor Bedard, enters his 30th game with an opportunity to make history. Tied with John Tavares for sixth in points at this stage among active No. 1 picks, Bedard stands among the elite. Only Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Sidney Crosby, and Patrick Kane had as many points at this point. The hockey world eagerly anticipates these players making their mark in today's game.
POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17 | 42 ANSWERS Connor Bedard poised to channel his inner 'showtime' alongside two Canucks for NHL history Can Bedard make history today? | ||
Yes! | 27 | 64.3 % |
No | 15 | 35.7 % |
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