🧵 The sun has set on the regular season. A thread on the 10 images that defined an electric #NHL year. #1. AUSTON MATTHEWS (69 goals): Most 🚨 in 31 years. Adjusted to era, the 6th-greatest goal output since 1930. #LeafsForever Deep dive @DailyFaceoff: dailyfaceoff.com/news/10-visual…
🧵 #2: CONNOR McDAVID & NIKITA KUCHEROV (100 assists): Most 🍎 since Gretzky 33 years ago. #LetsGoOilers #GoBolts Era adjusted, only McDavid's 56-game projection in pandemic-shortened 2021 was better in the cap era.
🧵 #4: #ALLCAPS ALEX OVECHKIN moves within 41 🚨 of the all-time goals crown (894) 👑 After only 8 goals in team's first 46 games, a late-season surge leaves Ovechkin just a 25-goal year & a 17-goal year from passing Gretzky.
🧵#5. SIDNEY CROSBY ties a Gretzky record with his 19th point-per-game #NHL season (42 goals, 94 points at age 36) 🎯 Also: reaches top 10 in career points (1,596) & gets 1,000th assist. #LetsGoPens
🧵 #6. CONNOR BEDARD (61 points): leads all rookies in scoring despite missing 14 games. #Blackhawks Era adjusted, #4 in PTS/GP (0.88) by an 18-year-old in the cap era.
🧵#7. The #NHL's scoring climate (6.16 goals per game) holds steady ⚖️ The last 3 seasons collectively have been the highest scoring in 30 years, allowing superstars to thrive.
🧵 #9. League-wide SAVE % (.903) continues its decade-long decline 📉 #NHL goalies are exceptional. But players shoot more selectively & prioritize pre-shot movement. 3-on-3 OT + more efficient power plays also contribute to the trend. But what a shocking visual 👀