{"id":98563,"date":"2021-01-21T09:30:04","date_gmt":"2021-01-21T14:30:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=98563"},"modified":"2025-12-01T20:18:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-02T01:18:23","slug":"today-in-hockey-history-los-angeles-kings-wayne-gretzky-2nd-in-points","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2021\/01\/21\/today-in-hockey-history-los-angeles-kings-wayne-gretzky-2nd-in-points\/","title":{"rendered":"Today in Hockey History: Los Angeles Kings Wayne Gretzky 2nd in Points"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/Hockey is finally back! <span data-contrast=\"auto\">Normally we\u2019d be closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is still going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here\u2019s our look at this date in hockey history for January 21st featuring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gretzwa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Wayne Gretzky<\/a>.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Today in Hockey History<\/h2>\n<h3>Wayne Gretzky Becomes Second in Points<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1989:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/kings\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> centre dishes out three assists in a 5-4 loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/hurricanes\/\" target=\"_self\">Hartford Whalers.<\/a> Gretzky moves past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dionnma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marcel Dionne<\/a> with his 1,771st point in 743 games. The Great One also reaches 100 points for a record 10th straight season.<\/p>\n<p>Gretzky is only behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/howego01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gordie Howe<\/a> at that point on the all-time point list. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2020\/10\/15\/today-in-hockey-history-kings-wayne-gretzky-passes-gordie-howe\/\" target=\"_self\">Gretzky passes Howe<\/a> on Oct. 15 later that year.<\/p>\n<h3>Other Notable Events<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1943:<\/strong> The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/bruins\/\" target=\"_self\">Boston Bruins<\/a> score four goals in a record one minute, 20 seconds in a 14-3 rout of the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/rangers\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Rangers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1985:<\/strong> Dionne moves past <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hullbo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Hull<\/a> on the all-time scoring list with his 611th career goal. His goal moves him into third on the all-time list, but the Kings lose 8-7 to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/oilers\/\" target=\"_self\">Edmonton Oilers<\/a>. Los Angeles had a 7-3 lead, but gave up the last five goals of the game.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1986:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/islanders\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Islanders<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/potvide01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Denis Potvin<\/a> ties <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/o\/orrbo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bobby Orr<\/a> with his 270th goal, which is the most for a defenceman. Potvin nets the game-winner in a 7-3 victory over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/flyers\/\" target=\"_self\">Philadelphia Flyers<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1995:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sundima01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mats Sundin<\/a> scores his first goal for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/leafs\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> in a 3-2 loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/sharks\/\" target=\"_self\">San Jose Sharks<\/a>. Sundin was recently acquired in a trade with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Quebec Nordiques<\/a>. He goes on to score a Maple Leafs record 420 goals in 13 seasons.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1997:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/penguins\/\" target=\"_self\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> goalie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/lalimpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Lalime<\/a> extends his career-opening record to 14-0 with two ties. He makes 49 saves in a 4-2 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/flames\/\" target=\"_self\">Calgary Flames<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2001:<\/strong> Pittsburgh tops the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/blackhawks\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago Blackhawks<\/a> 4-0 in the first game between European-trained coaches. The Penguins <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/hlinkiv01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ivan Hlinka<\/a> tops the Blackhawks Alpo Suhonen after <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/snowga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Garth Snow<\/a> gets a shutout.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2004:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dowdji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jim Dowd<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/p\/parkri01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Richard Park<\/a> score a record three seconds apart for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Wild<\/a>. The duo power the Wild to a 4-2 win over the Blackhawks.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2016:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/sedinda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daniel Sedin<\/a> becomes the leading goal scorer in <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/canucks\/\" target=\"_self\">Vancouver Canucks<\/a> history. He scores twice to pass <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/n\/nasluma02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Markus Naslund<\/a> with 348 in a 4-2 win over Boston.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2019:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/laviope01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Peter Laviolette<\/a> becomes the second American coach to 600 coaching wins in the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/predators\/\" target=\"_self\">Nashville Predators<\/a> 4-1 win over the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/avalanche\/\" target=\"_self\">Colorado Avalanhce<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Happy Birthday to You<\/h3>\n<p><strong>1887: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/v\/vezinge01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Georges Vezina<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1961: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/manthmo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Moe Mantha<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1965: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/b\/bradlbr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brian Bradley<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1967: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dahleul01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ulf Dahlen<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1971: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/w\/weighdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Doug Weight<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1978: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/z\/zyuzian01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andrei Zyuzin<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1981: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/heatlda01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dany Heatley<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1985: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/suterry01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Suter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1986: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/q\/quickjo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonathan Quick<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1987: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/h\/helmda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darren Helm<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1991: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/mcnabbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brayden McNabb<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1992: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/k\/kuhnhto01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Tom Kuhnhackl<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2000: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/m\/milleka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">K&#8217;Andre Miller<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>2001: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/d\/dachki01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kirby Dach<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"TvzF686USQFDDCS6CM46TQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.ca\/detail\/72351933\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'TvzF686USQFDDCS6CM46TQ',sig:'IGf71hjqBUqZdpewoHQrIg70db5Mba0ayFu5XHrMX5A=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'72351933',caption: true ,tld:'ca',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/category\/wild\/Hockey is finally back! Normally we\u2019d be closing in on the mid-way point of the regular season, however, we\u2019re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is still going to look back at each date\u2019s historical significance to the game. We\u2019ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2352,"featured_media":71672,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[24,8245,4547,4548,6331],"tags":[155,2179,4752,3534,369,3207,3505,78,2404,2314,1547,240,590],"class_list":["post-98563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kings","category-history","category-hockey","category-nhl","category-today-in-hockey-history","tag-daniel-sedin","tag-denis-potvin","tag-georges-vezina","tag-hockey-history","tag-jonathan-quick","tag-kandre-miller","tag-kirby-dach","tag-los-angeles-kings","tag-marcel-dionne","tag-mats-sundin","tag-peter-laviolette","tag-ryan-suter","tag-wayne-gretzky"],"modified_by":"Michael Kovacs, ADMIN","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2352"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98563"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":478886,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98563\/revisions\/478886"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}