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Some are calling the 2022-23 season of the National Hockey League one of the most notable in decades, as records fell while the action seemed hotter than ever. Strat-O-Matic gamers now can guide any one of dozens of great teams and stars to championships, records, and more.

Certainly, it was a season of surprises: The Western Conference champion Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers four games to one in the best-of-seven series to earn their first championship in only their sixth season in the league. It made the record books in more ways than one: This marked the first Finals since 2018 where neither squad had ever won a Stanley Cup.

The unexpected Stanley Cup finals combatants, however, were only the fraction of the story for the NHL, as scoring was fast and furious – and you can try to lead your choice of players and teams to top or equal some eye-popping stats. The season ranks as the highest-scoring in 29 years (6.4 G/GP).

The last days of the season brought about an occurrence almost unheard of in any sport: The league saw 13 of 16 playoff seeds, seven of eight First Round matchups, three of four division titles, and the final trios playoff teams decided in the final four days of the campaign. In fact, the last division winner and final two matchups were secured with a game-winning goal in the final two minutes of the final game of the NHL 1,312-game schedule.

Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers became only the sixth player in NHL history to notch a 150-point season, which ranks as the most productive season by an NHL player in a generation. It all led to his third consecutive and fifth career Art Ross Trophy, along with his first Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.  McDavid is only the fifth player in NHL history to lead the league in goals, assists, and points during a single season; the last player to do so was Wayne Gretzky in 1986-87.

More amazing stats: The NHL had 11 players with 100 or more points – one of whom was Eric Karlsson of the Montreal Canadiens, who became the first defenseman to reach triple digits in 31 years, and ranks as only the sixth player in history to reach the milestone.  There were also two players with more than 60 goals, and five players with more than 50 goals. Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins just skates on and on, just completing his 18th season and compiling 550 goals (ranking at #29 in league history) and 952 assists heading into this upcoming campaign.

GOALIES

As always, defense is paramount, and the league’s top goalies were key with their contributions to winning teams.  The Bruins’ Linus Ullmark led the NHL in save percentage with .938 – which topped the previous season’s Vezina Trophy winner, the Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin, whose .935 mark was among the Top 10 in league history at that time. Ullmark emerged with not only the Vezina Trophy, but also the William M. Jennings Trophy that he shared with teammate Jeremy Swayman.

Ullmark also tied the league lead in wins with 40, matching the mark set by Alexandar Georgiev of Colorado. Four goalies logged 37 wins during the campaign.  The top GAA for the season was also logged by Ullmark, capping his remarkable season (1.89).

Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders had the most shutouts by a goalie in 2022-23 with six as his impressive career rolls on.  Three goalies finished with five shutouts:  Alexandar Georgiev of Colorado, Darcy Kuemper of Washington, and Jake Oettinger of Dallas.

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