Quick Read
- Buffalo Sabres have surged with a six-game win streak under new GM Jarmo Kekäläinen, entering playoff contention.
- Sidney Crosby, Auston Matthews, and Connor McDavid have each hit historic individual milestones in 2025.
- The Devils are 14-0-0 when leading after two periods, but 0-13-0 when trailing—an unmatched league record.
Buffalo Sabres: From Basement to Playoff Contender
It’s not every year that the Buffalo Sabres headline an NHL stats roundup, but 2025 has proven anything but predictable. Just weeks ago, the Sabres were the league’s easy punchline—buried deep in the Eastern standings, cycling through struggles and injuries, and seemingly destined for another lost season. But then came a seismic shift: Jarmo Kekäläinen replaced Kevyn Adams as general manager, and suddenly, the Sabres ignited a six-game winning streak, vaulting from the division basement into serious wild-card contention.
The team’s mood has changed palpably. As reported by The Athletic, Sabres beat writer Matthew Fairburn attributes the turnaround to leadership, healthier lineups—thanks to returns from Josh Norris and Michael Kesselring—and standout goaltending from Alex Lyon and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. The front office, now rounded out by Marc Bergevin and Josh Flynn, brings the kind of experience and confidence the franchise sorely needed. While Kekäläinen hasn’t yet altered the roster, his reputation suggests big moves could be looming, especially if the team keeps rolling.
It’s a Christmas miracle for Buffalo fans: after 14 years of disappointment, there’s finally reason to believe again. Even the playoff picture, once unthinkable, is now a possibility as the Eastern Conference remains unpredictable and muddled. For a team long defined by its struggles, the Sabres are suddenly the hottest ticket in town.
Milestones and Historic Feats Across the League
While Buffalo’s turnaround steals headlines, the 2025 NHL season is rich with individual and team achievements. Sidney Crosby just became the Pittsburgh Penguins’ all-time points leader, and Auston Matthews is one goal away from the Maple Leafs’ all-time goals record. Anze Kopitar and Patrick Kane are each chasing franchise and national records, respectively—proof that hockey’s brightest stars are still rewriting the record books.
Among the year’s more eye-popping stats:
- Sidney Crosby passed Adam Oates for eighth on the NHL’s all-time assist list with his 1,080th career helper (NHL Stats).
- William Nylander surpassed Auston Matthews for fourth-most game-winning goals in Maple Leafs history, and tied legends Syl Apps and Doug Gilmour for multi-point periods.
- Dylan Larkin scored his 11th career overtime goal, moving within one of tying Sergei Fedorov for most in Red Wings franchise history, and notched his fifth consecutive 20-goal season.
- Connor McDavid continues to dominate: most points entering the holiday break for the fifth time, matching Mario Lemieux and trailing only Wayne Gretzky. He’s also tied historic marks for multi-point games, assists, and four-point performances, joining names like Jari Kurri and Bobby Orr.
- Steven Stamkos, with his 17th career overtime goal, now shares the seventh spot on the all-time list and became the third player in franchise history with game-winning goals in three consecutive games.
Team milestones are just as impressive. The Dallas Stars have two 20-goal scorers at the holiday break for the first time since 1989-90. The Red Wings matched that feat for the first time since 1988-89. Colorado Avalanche tied the second-fewest games to reach 60 points in a season, and the Sabres recorded a seven-game winning streak for the first time since 2018.
Quirks and Oddities: Stats You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Digging deeper, the 2025 season has delivered its share of statistical quirks. According to The Athletic, the New Jersey Devils have a perfect record when leading after two periods (14-0-0), but are winless when trailing (0-13-0)—a feat unmatched by any other team. The Rangers, meanwhile, have failed to win the second half of back-to-back games despite being in that spot seven times. The Minnesota Wild are the only team without a bench minor all year, setting them apart in terms of discipline.
Other fun facts from the stats sheet:
- Lucas Raymond of the Red Wings is second in the league for game-tying goals, trailing only Nathan MacKinnon.
- The Panthers have completed three multi-goal, third-period comebacks this season—topping the NHL in that category.
- Sabres rookie Bowen Byram scored his first career overtime goal to cap their seven-game win streak.
- Lane Hutson of the Canadiens became the fourth-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 90 career assists.
Young Guns and Rising Stars
The league’s new generation is making waves. Ivan Demidov is on pace to become the fastest Canadiens rookie to 30 points since 1991-92. Macklin Celebrini matched Sidney Crosby’s record for most points by a teenager entering the holiday break, while Matty Beniers joined Wyatt Johnston as the second player from the 2021 NHL Draft class to reach 100 career assists.
On the team side, the Colorado Avalanche (14-0-2) are close to tying historic marks for season-opening home point streaks, and the Golden Knights have extended their point streak against the Sharks to 12 games.
Meanwhile, goaltenders and defensemen are having their own moments: John Gibson could set a Red Wings record for consecutive wins, and Matthew Schaefer is on the cusp of becoming the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach 25 career points.
Looking Ahead: Playoff Picture and Potential Shakeups
With the holiday break here, the league’s landscape is shifting rapidly. The Sabres’ surge is the season’s most surprising story, and with Kekäläinen at the helm, roster moves may be on the horizon. The Eastern Conference remains wide open, and teams like the Panthers, Avalanche, and Stars are poised for deep playoff runs based on their record-setting performances.
Star players are chasing legendary milestones, rookies are breaking through, and statistical oddities abound—making the 2025 NHL season one of the most unpredictable and engaging in recent memory.
Analysis: The 2025 NHL season is a testament to both the enduring power of leadership changes and the thrill of chasing history. Buffalo’s revival under new management shows how quickly fortunes can turn, while the league’s stars and rising talents continue to push statistical boundaries. For fans and analysts alike, this year’s NHL landscape is a reminder that, in hockey, the only constant is change—and sometimes, the numbers tell stories that transcend the box score.