November 9 NHL History
Two teams set NHL marks for fastest starts on this date.
1984: The Edmonton Oilers defeat the Washington Capitals 8-5 at Capital Centre to establish an NHL record for the longest undefeated streak from the start of the season (15 games; 12 wins, three ties). Wayne Gretzky scores twice and has four assists, and Jari Kurri gets his 11th NHL hat trick and an assist. The Oilers surpass the previous record of 14 games (11-0-3) set by the 1943-44 Montreal Canadiens.
2006: The Anaheim Ducks set a record by getting a point in their 16th straight game from the start the season when they defeat the Vancouver Canucks 6-0. The Ducks have 12 wins and four overtime/shootout losses.
More November 9 NHL History
1957: Claude Provost of the Montreal Canadiens sets an NHL record (later tied by Denis Savard and James van Riemsdyk) when he scores four seconds into the second period of a 4-2 victory against the Boston Bruins at the Forum. It’s the fastest goal from the start of any period in League history.
1972: Bruins left wing Johnny Bucyk becomes the seventh player in NHL history to have 1,000 career points. Bucyk reaches the milestone with a goal and an assist in an 8-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings at Boston Garden.
1973: Alex Delvecchio announces his retirement after 24 years with the Detroit Red Wings, and immediately is named their coach. He ends his NHL career with 1,281 points (456 goals, 825 assists) in 1,549 games.
1996: Craig MacTavish of the St. Louis Blues scores the final goal in NHL history by a player not wearing a helmet. It comes in the third period of a 3-2 road win against the Calgary Flames. MacTavish is the last of the players who are “grandfathered” and don’t have to wear a helmet after the NHL makes them mandatory for all incoming players in 1979.
2001: Luc Robitaille of the Red Wings scores during a power play 8:53 into the first period for the 600th goal of his NHL career, becoming the 13th player to reach the milestone. It turns out to be the only goal of a 1-0 road victory against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Dominik Hasek makes 19 saves for his first shutout with the Red Wings.
2005: Erik Cole of the Carolina Hurricanes becomes the second player in NHL history to be awarded two penalty shots in one game. He scores on the first one, helping the Hurricanes to a 5-3 road victory against the Buffalo Sabres. The victory is the eighth in a row for the Hurricanes, a franchise record. Cole is the first player since Mud Bruneteau of the Red Wings on Nov. 24, 1938, to be awarded two penalty shots in the same game. Bruneteau goes 0-for-2 against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Mike Karakas.