NHL 2019-20: Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak and 10 things we've learned so far this season

Jace Mallory

•
NHL 2019-20: Leon Draisaitl, David Pastrnak and 10 things we've learned so far this season image

 Here we are, a quarter of the way through the 2019-20 NHL season — and what a start it has been.

While it's still early, we are far enough into the season now to take a look at where everything stands. Sure, no team has clinched or been eliminated from postseason play — none of us needs a reminder of how things looked for the eventual Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues at this time last year — but frontrunners could already be emerging.

Regardless, as far as statistics go, 2019-20 looks to be a doozy with a plethora of records hanging in the balance should the following 75 percent of the season follow the first 25 percent's pursuit. From teams to individuals, it has been quite exciting through 317 games.

SN MAILBAG: Taylor Hall, John Carlson and the 2020 NHL Draft

Here are 10 things we have learned one-fourth of the way down the stretch, by the numbers.

1,956 goals scored

In the previous 23 years, only once has an NHL season seen more goals at this mark with 2,007 in 2005-06. It also marks the second-highest goals-per-game rate of 6.2 behind the 6.3 rate of the previously mentioned season.

This season has also seen 1,462 goals scored at even strength in regulation or overtime which is the most through one-fourth of a season in 27 years (1,529 in 1992-93).

160 points that Leon Draisaitl is on pace to reach

Leon Draisaitl's 43 points (16 goals, 27 assists) through 22 games has him producing at a rate of 1.95 points per game, putting him on pace to reach 160 on the season. Only Wayne Gretzky (9 times) and Mario Lemieux (4 times) have hit that mark.

Draisaitl's 43 points are the most at this stage since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96, who had 53 points in three fewer games — and was also the last to hit the 160-point plateau.

RELATED: Draisaitl, McDavid just cannot stop scoring

140 comeback wins

Forty-four percent of games have ended in comeback fashion this season. There have been 66 third-period comeback victories, marking the most ever at this stage of a season. As far as multi-goal comeback wins are concerned, this season's 45 is the second-most in NHL history, behind last season's 48.

87 overtime games

There have never been more overtime games through the first quarter of a season in NHL history but with the thrill of 3-on-3 hockey, who is complaining?

76 — NHL record for points in a season by a rookie defenseman

In 1980-81, Los Angeles Kings' Larry Murphy set the NHL record for points by a rookie defenseman with 76. Now, Colorado’s Cale Makar (5-17—22 in 20 GP) is on pace for 90 points in 2019-20, which would break the current record by 14.

With his performance, Makar seems like the obvious frontrunner for the Calder, and at this point, it's his to lose.

40 challenges this season

With the changes made to NHL failed challenge consequences this offseason, teams have been more hesitant to issue them this go-round, seeing the total number of challenges down 32 percent from 2018-19. However, the 58 percent success rate far surpasses last year's 32 percent.

MORE: Avalanche lose two coach's challenges in one night

14 — Longest point streak by a team this season

Heading into Tuesday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Islanders are riding the longest point streak of the season (13-0-1). They also hold the longest win streak by a team in 2019-20 with 10 wins, which spanned Oct. 12 through Nov. 5.

13 — Longest point streak by a player this season

Thrice has a 13-game point streak been accomplished this season. David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Nathan MacKinnon all recorded 13-game point streaks this season. The next name most likely to be added to the list? Leon Draisaitl. His point streak currently sits at 12 games heading into Tuesday's bout with the Sharks in San Jose.

Six teams in a playoff spot who missed the 2019 Stanley Cup Playoffs

All of the top three teams in the Pacific Division (Edmonton Oilers, Arizona Coyotes and Vancouver Canucks) missed the playoffs last season. The Montreal Canadiens, Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers round out the six who currently hold a postseason ballot but missed the dance last time.

Four: Largest deficit overcome to win a game this season

The Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers have all overcome four-goal deficits to win games this season. Currently sitting at three total occurrences, the 2019-20 season is one away from becoming the fifth season in which four or more games featured wins by teams who trailed by four or more goals.

Comebacks of this nature have only happened five times before, once in 1983-84 and 1985-86 and four times between 1984-85 and 1986-87.

Jace Mallory