Patrick Kane Makes History, Avs Stumble, and Jack Hughes Injured Again: What You Need to Know Around the NHL
It was a night of highs, lows, and history across the NHL on Thursday. Let’s break it all down-from Patrick Kane’s record-setting moment in Detroit to the Avalanche getting steamrolled in Montreal, and more injury trouble in New Jersey.
Avalanche Blown Out in Montreal
Let’s start with Colorado. The Avalanche ran into a buzzsaw in Montreal, falling hard to a Canadiens team that brought the energy early and didn’t let up. Nick Suzuki was front and center in the offensive onslaught, helping lead a scoring surge that overwhelmed Colorado from the start.
For the Avs, this wasn’t just a bad night-it was a reminder of how quickly things can spiral when defensive structure breaks down and the offense can’t find its rhythm. Montreal came out flying, and Colorado didn’t have an answer. The Avs will need to regroup quickly and figure out how to tighten things up defensively, especially with the playoff race heating up.
Patrick Kane Becomes the Highest-Scoring American in NHL History
Meanwhile, in Detroit, Patrick Kane added another milestone to his Hall of Fame résumé. With his latest point, Kane passed Mike Modano to become the highest-scoring American-born player in NHL history. That’s not just a line in the record books-that’s a legacy-defining moment.
Kane has been a consistent offensive force for over a decade, and even now, he’s showing there’s still plenty left in the tank. It’s not just about the numbers-it’s about the way he continues to impact games with his vision, hands, and hockey IQ. This record may have been a long time coming, but don’t expect Kane to slow down anytime soon.
Penguins Stay Hot
Pittsburgh continues to roll. The Pens are finding their groove at the right time, stacking wins and climbing the standings.
Their core is clicking, the depth is contributing, and the goaltending has held strong. It’s the kind of stretch that can change the trajectory of a season-and right now, Pittsburgh looks like a team that believes it can make a run.
Jack Hughes Injured Again
And finally, in New Jersey, the Devils picked up a win-but it came at a cost. Jack Hughes is injured again, and that’s a tough blow for a team that’s already had to navigate stretches without its star center. Hughes is the engine of that offense, and when he’s out, the entire dynamic shifts.
The Devils will have to hope this absence is short-term. With Hughes healthy, New Jersey has the firepower to hang with anyone. Without him, things get a lot more complicated.
From historic achievements to tough injury news, Thursday night gave us a little bit of everything. We’ll keep an eye on how these stories develop, but one thing’s for sure: the NHL season is far from short on drama.