Henrik Sedin consecutive games streak to finally end at 679 games
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By Marcus Hondro Jan 20, 2014 in Sports
It had to happen eventually and it looks like now is the time. The Vancouver Canucks are playing in Edmonton against the Oilers Tuesday night and the team says that for the first time since Feb. 23, 2003, captain Henrik Sedin won't be in the lineup.
That translates to a streak of 679 consecutive games played, the sixth longest such streak in NHL history, just behind the only other active player in the top 10, St. Louis Blues Jay Bouwmeester, 5 games up on Henrik at 684.
Henrik Sedin: Played through injuries
Henrik spends a lot of time in the tough areas of the offensive zone and is a frequent target of large, belligerent defenceman. As a result he's had to play through pain and all manner of injuries but unlike brother Daniel during his streak, he's been fortunate enough to avoid a broken ankle or concussion. However, lately he has been unable to take face-offs or fire the puck due to a hand or finger injury.
Then in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes last week he was slashed in the ribs by Martin Hanzal. The refs missed the call but Hanzal didn't miss Sedin and in his next game, Saturday against the Calgary Flames, Sedin was visibly hampered by the injury. He played little and left the game in the second.
In their final game of the season last year then-Canuck coach Alain Vigneault allowed Sedin only one shift, resting him for the playoffs and avoiding injury in a meaningless game. Sedin intended to play and was subsequently disappointed to be taken out but that one 22 second shift kept his streak alive. In his 540 games coaching the Canucks, Vigneault never coached a game Henrik Sedin did not play in.
NHL consecutive games played leaders
The top 4 consecutive games steak in the NHL, in order, are: Doug Jarvis (964), Gary Unger (914), Steve Larmer (884) and Craig Ramsay (776), followed by Bouwmeester. The only other active player in the top 20 is Andrew Cogliano of the Anaheim Ducks who is in 16th place with 509 consecutive games played.
In 990 NHL games Sedin has 191 goals and 641 assists for 832 points. The 33-year-old Sedin is also a career plus 207, fourth among active players behind Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa.
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