Stamkos 95th NHLer to reach 1,000 points

Given the lengthy list of memorable and meaningful offensive plays Tampa Bay Lightning star Steven Stamkos had produced in his career, it doesn’t initially seem fitting that his 1,000th NHL point should come on a secondary assist.

But what makes Stamkos the player he is for Lightning is that he puts forth his best effort whether he is making a routine or spectacular play.

Stamkos earned his 1,000th point in his 945th NHL game Thursday night by sending a pass behind the net to Ian Cole. The Lightning defenseman then set-up Nick Paul’s second goal of the game. The tally helped Tampa Bay down the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1.

“It’s the most celebrated second assist in my career,” Stamkos said. “I thought I’d make the safe play behind the net.”

Stamkos is the 95th player in NHL history to reach 1,000 points. He is the 56th player to reach the milestone in fewer than 1,000 games.

The Lightning captain is one of nine active NHLers with 1,000 or more points. Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby tops that list with 1,441 points. The others: Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (1,435), Chicago’s Patrick Kane (1,197), Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar (1,088), Florida’s Eric Staal and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron (1,001).

Stamkos is the fifth on the active list to reach 1,000 in fewer than 1,000 games, joining Crosby (757), Malkin (848), Ovechkin (880) and Kane (953).

Wayne Gretzky holds the league record of reaching 1,000 points in 424 games. Mario Lemieux got there in 513 games.

With the assist against the Flyers, Stamkos extended his points streak to nine games. He has six goals and nine assists in that span.

🎓 Jason Robertson scored a hat trick last night extending his point streak to 17 games. By scoring his third career hat trick (watch) against the Anaheim Ducks, the 23-year-old forward became the first player in the NHL to register 20 goals this season, building a strong case for himself in Hart Trophy discussions.

🦑 The Kraken tie it late before winning in OT to extend their winning streak to seven games. Forward Yanni Gourde buried a rebound with just 2:27 left in regulation and Matty Beniers needed all of seven seconds in overtime to score the game winner (watch). The Kraken overcame a 2-0 deficit to win their fourth straight overtime decision.

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