• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Florida Panthers
Panthers History

Today in Hockey History: Dec. 10

By Greg Boysen December 10th, 2020

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The Great One proved that his nickname was well-earned twice on this date in National Hockey League history. This was also a very busy date in upstate New York. In addition, some cross-town rivalries were put into motion and the last game of two record-setting streaks occurred. It is time to take our daily trip back through the decades.

More NHL Firsts for Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky accomplished two feats on this date, back in the 1980s, that no player had ever done before and have only been repeated one time each since.

First, on Dec. 10, 1986, Gretzky scored three goals to lead the Edmonton Oilers past the Winnipeg Jets 7-4. This made him the first player in NHL history to rack up 40 career hat tricks. He finished his career with 50, which are still the most in league history. Pittsburgh Penguins’ legend Mario Lemieux is the only other player to ever score 40 hat tricks.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers
Gretzky was the first player to score 40 hat tricks. (Photo by B Bennett/Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images)

Three years later, on Dec. 10, 1989, and now a member of the Los Angeles Kings, Gretzky became the first player to ever score 1,900 NHL points. The milestone came with an assist during an 8-4 victory at the Quebec Nordiques. The only other player to reach the 1,900-point plateau in league history is Jaromir Jagr.

A Great Day for Hainsworth

On Dec. 10, 1931, goaltender George Hainsworth led the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-0 win at the New York Americans. This was the 64th shutout of his career and it moved him ahead of Alec Connell for the most in NHL history. Canadiens forward Pit Lepine was the only goal-scorer on the night as he put up the fourth hat trick of his career. Hainsworth ended his Hall of Fame career with 94 shutouts which are still the third-most ever recorded.

On this day in 1931, George Hainsworth in a 4-0 @CanadiensMTL win vs the visitor Detroit Falcons ties Alec Connell for the most career shutouts in NHL history (63). He'd finish his career in 1936 with 94- still 3rd most today behind only Martin Brodeur (125) & Terry Sawchuk (103) pic.twitter.com/oNRkRrQL3m

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) December 6, 2020

Exactly one year later, Hainsworth became the first goaltender to earn 150 victories as a member of the Canadiens. This milestone came in a 3-2 win against Connell and the visiting Ottawa Senators.

The Streaks Continue

Bernie Nicholls extended his team-record point-scoring streak to 25 straight games, on Dec. 10, 1984, as Kings lost 4-2 at the New York Rangers. He scored 21 goals and 40 points during his 25-game streak. Gretzky equaled this streak during the 1990-91 season, but the duo still shares the longest point streak in team history.

Bernie Nicholls
Nichols was dominate during the 1984-85 season. (nhl.com)

Eight years later, on Dec. 10, 1992, Mats Sundin extended his 30-game point streak with an assist in the Nordiques’ 5-4 win at the Kings. He scored 21 goals and 46 points during his franchise-record point streak. He joined Gretzky and Lemieux as the only players in league history to have a 30-game point streak and nobody has had one since. Patrick Kane’s 26-game point streak for the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2015-16 season was the longest since 1992.

Cross-Town Rivalries Begin

The first-ever game between the Montreal Maroons and their cross-town rivals, the Canadiens, took place on Dec. 10, 1924. Goaltending legend Georges Vezina earned his ninth career shutout in a 5-0 win over the Maroons. Aurel Joliat was the offensive hero by scoring four of the five Canadiens’ goals.

Nearly five decades later, on Dec. 10, 1972, the Rangers hosted the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden for the very first time. Blueshirts’ goaltender Peter McDuffe earned his first career victory in a 4-1 win over the invaders from Long Island. This was one of just seven starts McDuffe made for the Rangers.

Let’s Go, Buffalo

Usually, an 8-2 loss is not something to celebrate, especially for a goaltender. However, on Dec. 10, 1970, Joe Daley set a Buffalo Sabres franchise record by making 64 saves in the blow out defeat to the Boston Bruins. This was the Sabres’ first visit to Boston and the 72 shots allowed were the most given up in an NHL game since 1943. Daley’s 64 saves are still the most in team history and the third-most ever made in an NHL game since the start of the 1955-56 season.

On this day in 1970, @BuffaloSabres' Joe Daley made 64 saves in an 8-2 loss to the Bruins #Hockey365 #Sabres50 pic.twitter.com/uGihx0lkbu

— Mike Commito (@mikecommito) December 10, 2019

Gil Perreault scored a goal and added three assists, on Dec. 10, 1978, to lead the Sabres to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Memorial Auditorium. Defenseman Jim Schoenfeld had 12 shots in the game.

One year later, on Dec. 10, 1979, Don Edwards became the second goaltender to record 10 shutouts in team history as the Sabres beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-0 for their eighth consecutive victory.

The Sabres had a much better visit to Boston, on Dec. 10, 1983, as they beat the Bruins 4-2 the first of their NHL-record 10 straight road wins. Lindy Ruff led the scoring with a goal and two assists.

Dave Andreychuk collected his 500th NHL point, on Dec. 10, 1989, as the Sabres beat the visiting Washington Capitals 4-3. This was the Sabres 12th straight home win, tying a club record.

Finally, on Dec 10, 1993, Alexander Mogilny had three assists to lead the Sabres to a 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames.

Odds & Ends

Goaltender Johnny Bower played in his final NHL game, on Dec. 10, 1969, at the age of 45. He lost 6-3 to the Canadiens in his lone start of the 1969-70 season. He retired with a record of 250-192-90, with 37 shutouts, for the Rangers and Maple Leafs. He is also the American Hockey League’s (AHL) all-time leader with 359 wins. In that same game, Claude Provost’s empty-net goal made him the eighth player to ever score 250 goals for the Habs.

Gary Dornhoefer scored his third and final hat trick of his career, on Dec. 10, 1972, to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-2 win over the Maple Leafs. With his three tallies, he became the first player to score 100 goals in a Flyers’ uniform.

Marcel Dionne scored his sixth career hat trick, on Dec. 10, 1975, and Rogie Vachon recorded his 31st career shutout as the Kings beat the St. Louis Blues 5-0. Eight years later, Dionne scored his 557th career goal to Bruins legend Johnny Bucyk for fourth all-time in NHL goal-scoring. The milestone came in the Kings’ 6-4 win over the Nordiques.

On Dec. 10, 1992, the NHL announced expansion franchises had been awarded to Anaheim and Miami. The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and Florida Panthers began play at the start of the 1993-94 season and brought the league up to 26 teams.

Defenseman Michel Petit picked up an assist, on Dec. 10, 1997, in the Phoenix Coyotes’ 3-3 tie with the Blackhawks, to become the first player in NHL history to score a point for 10 different teams.

Capitals fired head coach Bruce Cassidy, on Dec. 10, 2003, and named assistant coach Glen Hanlon as his replacement. His dismissal came after just 110 games behind the bench where he went 47-47-9. He wouldn’t get another NHL head coaching job until the Bruins hired him during the 2016-17 season.

Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy
Cassidy had to wait nearly 14 years in between NHL head coaching gigs. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Jarome Iginla became the 16th player in league history, on Dec. 10, 2016, to play in 1,500 games. The night was rather forgettable after the opening faceoff as he was held scoreless in the Colorado Avalanche’s 10-1 loss in Montreal.

Happy Birthday to You

A total of 15 players have played in at least one NHL game were born on Dec. 10. The most successful of the group are Hall of Fame defenseman and current Kings general manager Rob Blake (51), Rene Bourque (39), Nate Guenin (27) and Jaycob Megna (28).


Sign up for our regular 'Hockey History Newsletter' for all the best and most significant pieces from the THW Archives.

  • Tags
  • George Hainsworth
  • Johnny Bower
  • Top Story
  • Wayne Gretzky
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 17th 1:42 PM
Archives

2013 NHL Entry Draft: Where Are They Now?

Jan 17th 1:37 PM
Archives

Most Games Played By A Goalie in One NHL Season

Jan 17th 12:10 PM
Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames Have Never Been Good at Building Through the Draft

Jan 17th 11:50 AM
Washington Capitals

What We Learned From the Capitals’ First Two Games

Jan 17th 11:25 AM
Calgary Flames

How It Felt for Flames’ Markstrom to Shut Out Canucks [Video]

Jan 17th 11:05 AM
Chicago Blackhawks

4 Takeaways From Blackhawks’ Rough Series With the Lightning

Jan 17th 10:55 AM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks See Improvements Early in 2020-21 Season

Jan 17th 10:45 AM
Anaheim Ducks

3 Takeaways From the Ducks’ Series Against the Golden Knights

Jan 17th 10:35 AM
Los Angeles Kings

Kings’ Dustin Brown Scores 300th Career Goal With More to Come

Jan 17th 10:25 AM
Calgary Flames

Flames’ Markstrom Dominant in Shutout Win Against Canucks

Editor’s Picks
World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

World Junior Championship All-Time Leading Scorers

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

2021 Guide To the World Junior Championship

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information