Key Highlights: Trouba’s Ducks Debut, Stephens’ 100th NHL Game, and More
Plenty of action and milestones marked the NHL games on December 9, 2024. Player debuts and career achievements were just some of the exciting moments fans witnessed on ice. Jacob Trouba is to make his much-awaited debut for Anaheim Ducks against Montreal Canadiens while Mitchell Stephens marked his 100th NHL game with Seattle Kraken. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from a thrilling day in the NHL.
Jacob Trouba could make his first game appearance for the Ducks when they take on the Canadiens at Bell Centre. The Ducks traded for the defenseman from the New York Rangers on Friday in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
Since entering the NHL in 2013, Trouba, who was Rangers captain since the 2022-23 season, ranks second among all NHL skaters in blocked shots (1,654) and 10th among defensemen in hits (1,578). The Ducks (10-12-3), who play the first of a four-game road trip, are 2-4-1 in their past seven.
Rookie defenseman Lane Hutson of Montreal had an assist during a 4-2 loss to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, pushing his point streak to six games, which tied a record for rookie defensemen for the Canadiens (seven assists).
The Seattle Kraken played the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 8. It was the Kraken who emerged victorious in the game, with a 7-5 win.
It was also a night to celebrate for one of their players. Mitchell Stephens played in his 100th NHL game. He did not start in the NHL until 2019-20, but what a season for him to start.
He played in 38 games with the Tampa Bay Lightning during that season, scoring three goals and picking up three assists for a total of six points. Though numbers don’t seem all that hot, he was still able to garner an even higher prize.
He was part of a Stanley Cup-winning team during his first season with a league. Stephens played in seven postseason games but did not score any points. For the 2020-21 season, he played seven games but only earned one assist.
Thomas Harley scored twice as part of a four-goal third period for the Dallas Stars, who pulled away to a 6-2 win over the Calgary Flames on Sunday at American Airlines Center. Jason Robertson and Sam Steel each had a goal and an assist, and Back had two assists for Dallas (17-10-0), which had lost two straight.
Jake Oettinger made 29 saves. Jonathan Huberdeau and Connor Zary scored for Calgary (13-10-5), which has one win in its last six games (1-5-1).
Dustin Wolf made 22 saves. Roope Hintz gave Dallas a 3-2 lead at 5:13 of the third period when he redirected a pass from Esa Lindell five-hole as he drove to the front of the net. Sam Steel extended the lead to 4-2 at 12:01 on a shot from the far edge of the right face-off circle. Harley then made it 5-2 at 13:02 when his point shot deflected in off the far post.
Harley scored again at 19:02 for a 6-2 end. Wyatt Johnston tied the game 1-1 at 4:26 after a short-handed goal. He forced a puck battle inside the blue line and got the puck past the Wolf glove side. At 7:47 of the second period, Robertson gave Dallas a 2-1 lead.
He scored from the right wing as the puck was passed through neutral zone to him by a Back pass from exit of the penalty box. Zary tied it 2-2 at 16:08 when Daniil Miromanov’s initial shot bounced in off his skates at the edge of the crease.
Image Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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