March 1: Gretzky sets NHL career record for assists

THIS DATE IN HISTORY: March 1

1988:Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers officially becomes the greatest playmaker in NHL history.

Gretzky sets up a first-period goal by longtime linemate Jari Kurri for his 1,050th assist, passing Gordie Howe for No. 1 on the League's all-time list. The record-setting assist comes late in Gretzky's ninth NHL season, 17 fewer than Howe.

Gretzky also scores a goal 18 seconds before assist No. 1,050, helping the Oilers defeat the visiting Los Angeles Kings 5-3.

MORE MOMENTS

1919:Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points of the Montreal Canadiens sets a Stanley Cup Playoff record by scoring five goals in a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points against the visiting Ottawa Senators. Lalonde still shares the record, which has been matched four times.

1968:The first-year Philadelphia Flyers find themselves without a home when the roof of the Spectrum blows off. The Flyers are forced to play the final month of the season on the road, with their "home" games moved to Toronto, New York and Quebec City. Despite that, they finish first in the West Division.

1969:Brothers Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points, Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points and Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points all play together for the first time for the St. Louis Blues against the Montreal Canadiens. The only brother to make the scoresheet is Bob, whose penalty 3:42 into the game leads to a power-play goal by Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points. The Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at the Forum.

1970:Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points becomes the final player/coach in NHL history when he dresses and plays for the Minnesota North Stars in an Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Met Center. The victory ends Minnesota's 20-game winless streak (0-15 with five ties). Burns remains Minnesota's player/coach for the final month of the season.

1989:Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points becomes the first player in Detroit Red Wings history with 60 goals in a season when he scores during a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Joe Louis Arena. He's the 11th player in NHL history to score 60 in one season.

1993: Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points becomes the first player in the 23-year history of the Vancouver Canucks to have 50 goals in a season. No. 50 is the first of his two goals as the Canucks Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points in a neutral-site game played at Hamilton, Ontario.

2003: Barry Trotz of the Nashville Predators sets an NHL record for the most games coached with an expansion team from its inception with a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points against the visiting Chicago Blackhawks. It's Trotz's 392nd game with the Predators, breaking Terry Crisp's record of 391 with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2008:Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points becomes the second player in NHL history to score 20 goals in a season for six different teams. Guerin reaches the mark by scoring his 20th of the season for the Islanders in a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Nassau Coliseum.

2014:Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points of the New Jersey Devils becomes the seventh player in NHL history to score 700 goals. Jagr reaches the milestone with his goal at 3:31 of the second period in a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Nassau Coliseum.

Jagr also ties Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points for ninth all-time with his 1,040th NHL assist when he set up a power-play goal by Devils defenseman Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at 8:07 of the second.

2018:David Poile becomes the winningest general manager in NHL history when the Predators Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Rogers Place. It's the 1,320th victory by a Poile-run team, one more than Glen Sather. It's Poile's 726th win with the Predators after 594 with the Washington Capitals from 1982-97.

2019: The Philadelphia Flyers set an NHL single-season record by using their eighth goalie. Cam Talbot makes 30 saves for the Flyers in a Video: Wayne Gretzky all-time leader in goals, points at Prudential Center.