NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 23, 2018

THANKSGIVING SHOWDOWN HIGHLIGHTS 15-GAME SLATE Highlighted by the 2018 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown between the Rangers and Flyers, Friday marks the first of three 15-game days this (LAK are only idle team). The other 15-game days slated for 2018-19 are Saturday, Dec. 29 (CBJ idle) and Saturday, April 6 (ANA idle).

* There have been 13 previous 15-game days in NHL history, including five which took place last season.

* The most combined goals scored on a 15-game day is 99 (including shootout-deciding goals), a mark set Oct. 25, 2008 (6.6 G/GP) on the second 15-game day in League history. In fact, it is one of three days in NHL history to feature at least 99 combined goals - the last occurred Wednesday (99 G in 14 GP; 7.1 G/GP) while the NHL record for goals in a single day was set Jan. 23, 1993 (103 G in 12 GP; 8.6 G/GP).

* There have been 15 hat tricks scored on 15-game days, including seven in 2017-18. A player has scored four goals on a 15-game day twice, with both occurrences coming last season (Alex Ovechkin on Oct. 7, 2017 and Mark Jankowski on April 7, 2018).

* The most points recorded by a player on a 15-game day is four, a feat accomplished 12 times overall including five times on Oct. 7, 2017 of last season (Alex Ovechkin: 4-0—4; T.J. Brodie: 2-2—4; Mats Zuccarello: 1-3—4; : 1-3—4; Evgeny Kuzentsov: 0-4—4).

* The most goals by one team on a 15-game day is eight (including shootout-deciding goals), a mark set by the Maple Leafs on Oct. 7, 2017 (8-5 W vs. NYR).

* Click here for more statistical information on 15-game days in NHL history.

RANGERS, FLYERS FACE OFF IN MATINEE SHOWDOWN ON NBC The Rangers (12-8-2, 26 points) meet the Flyers (9-10-2, 20 points) for the first time this season when the teams face off in the 2018 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown at Wells Fargo Center in . The Rangers are making their NHL-leading fifth appearance in the Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown (2-2-0) while the Flyers are making their third such appearance (0-2-0).

* The Rangers and Flyers have met twice prior in Thanksgiving Showdown games with New York winning both times: 3-0 W on Nov. 28, 2014 and 3-2 W on Nov. 25, 2016.

* Longtime divisional rivals, the Rangers (131-117-45, 307 points) own a slight edge over the Flyers (125-122-46, 296 points) in the 293 regular-season games played between the clubs.

* Claude Giroux leads all active Flyers with 10-35—45 in his regular-season career against the Rangers (49 GP), tied for his second-highest total against one opponent (17-32—49 in 46 GP vs. NYI; 14-31—45 in 44 GP vs. PIT).

* is 35-16-4 in his regular-season career against the Flyers (2.50 GAA, .917 SV%, 4 SO). The Flyers are one of three teams against whom Lundqvist has earned 30 or more victories (also NJD: 36 and NYI: 30).

* Nineteen-year-old Filip Chytil has scored in five consecutive team games for the Rangers, two shy of the longest streak by a teenager in NHL history (Jimmy Carson: 7 games in 1986-87 w/ LAK).

DID YOU KNOW? Twelve teams remain within five points of a playoff position – seven in the Eastern Conference and five in the Western Conference. In each of the past two seasons, at least 12 teams were within five points of a playoff spot as of U.S. Thanksgiving.

* In 2017-18, five teams reached the after being outside of the postseason picture at U.S. Thanksgiving – tied for the most in one campaign since 2000-01 (also 5 in 2003- 04 and 2007-08). At least three teams have clinched a postseason berth after being outside the bracket on U.S. Thanksgiving in each of the past eight applicable seasons.

* ’s David Pastrnak has 17 goals to lead the League, with Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (15) and Buffalo’s Jeff Skinner (15) close behind. Since 2000-01, only four players who led the NHL in goals at U.S. Thanksgiving went on to capture the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy: in 2001-02, (tied) in 2003-04, Alex Ovechkin in 2013-14 and in 2016-17.

* Thirty-seven players have scored at least 10 goals this season. The last season to feature as many 10-goal scorers entering U.S. Thanksgiving was 1993-94 (40), when Toronto’s Wendel Clark paced the League with 22 goals in 22 games.

* Additionally, Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen (8-26—34) ranks first in the NHL in points with a three- lead over teammate Nathan MacKinnon (14-17—31) and Connor McDavid (13- 18—31). Since 2000-01, only five players who led the League in points at U.S. Thanksgiving went on to capture the Trophy: Jarome Iginla in 2001-02, in 2008-09, Sidney Crosby in 2013-14, in 2015-16 and McDavid in 2016-17.

* Twenty-three players have recorded at least 25 points this season. The last season to feature as many skaters with 25 or more points entering U.S. Thanksgiving was 1993-94 (28), which included Philadelphia’s (13-28—41 in 24 GP) and Los Angeles’ (9-32—41 in 21 GP) pacing the NHL.

ICYMI: Legendary (PHI) and Mike Richter (NYR) joined pop sensation Bazzi on the “Frozen Fall Fun” float presented by Discover in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

QUICK CLICKS

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