As the Metropolitan Division race heats up, the New York Islanders have been looking to rookie forward Mat Barzal for offense.
The Canadian born forward tied a 100-year-old record when he posted his third 5-point game this season. The last time it occurred was in 1917-18 by Joe Malone.
.@Barzal_97 is the first #NHL rookie to have 3 five-point games since 1917-18. Yes, 100 years. #Isles
— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) February 10, 2018
To add onto that and put into the context of the current league, within the past thirty years here is the list of players that have had multiple 5-point games in a season: Wayne Gretzky, Pat LaFontaine, Peter Forsberg, and Mario Lemieux.
Mathew Barzal is the 5th player in the last 30 seasons with multiple 5-assist games in a season. The others are Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Peter Forsberg, and Pat LaFontaine.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 10, 2018
That puts him in very elite company.
While Vancouver Canucks' forward Brock Boeser is hoping to compete for the Calder for the league's best rookie, it appears that Barzal is running away with it. At over a point per game this season, the sky is the limit for Barzal and his growth.
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