NHL Notebook: Ducks are flying high

Let’s recap some of the major headlines from the last week of play in the NHL.

Ducks down Canucks for seventh straight win

The Anaheim Ducks are the hottest team in hockey, having won seven straight games after crushing a free-falling Vancouver squad 5-1 on Sunday night. They’ve outscored their opponents 29-11 in that span.

Forward Troy Terry has come from nowhere to lead the team with 20 points, matching his previous career-high. And 36-year-old captain Ryan Getzlaf has seemingly found the fountain of youth, as he’s one assist off the league lead with 16.

All of this has come despite the controversy embroiling the Ducks’ front office regarding recently-resigned GM Bob Murray. 

Despite sitting just one point behind the Edmonton Oilers for the top seed in the Western Conference, the Ducks can be had at +15000 in the Stanley Cup futures market.

Alexander the Great

Alexander Ovechkin moved into sole possession of fourth place on the all-time goals list on Friday night, passing Brett Hull.

“It means a lot,” Ovechkin told reporters afterwards. “When you start playing hockey, when you come to the NHL, you never thought you’d be in that position with those names.”

Ovechkin’s 742nd career tally brought the Washington Capitals into a tie with the Columbus Blue Jackets, whom they would eventually go on to beat 4-3, part of their current four-game winning streak.

“Ovie” is within three goals of the league lead currently enjoyed by Leon Draisaitl.

Blue Jackets to retire Rick Nash’s No. 61

In a first for their organization, the Blue Jackets announced on Thursday that Rick Nash’s No. 61 will be retired on Saturday, March 5. 

Nash is Columbus’ all-time leader in games played, goals, assists, and power play goals.

“If future generations look up at the 61, I hope they can learn the story of what I tried to do to grow the game in Columbus, and what I tried to do on the ice each night was bring a good effort and excitement for our fans,” Nash told the Columbus Dispatch. 

Nash is the current director of player development with the Blue Jackets, and has been in the front office since retiring from the ice in 2019.

Hurricanes cool rivalry with Canadiens

The Carolina Hurricanes have been poking fun at the Montreal Canadiens on Twitter for over two years, but the organization did an about-face on Saturday when they donated to the Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. The gesture was in honor of World Kindness Day.

“The Hurricanes may battle teams across the league on the ice, but improving communities throughout the U.S. and Canada is a goal everyone can get behind,” the team said in a statement. “The Canes encourage all fans to make a donation to the Carolina Hurricanes Foundation, the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation, or the foundation of any other NHL team as we aim to spread kindness throughout the NHL community.”