Today in hockey history november 19: Gretzky’s 1,000th point, Roy’s 400th win and other unforgettable moments

November 19 has delivered some of the most dramatic snapshots the NHL has ever produced. From Wayne Gretzky speeding past yet another milestone to Patrick Roy joining the 400-win club, the date has become a quiet anniversary that still makes goal-lights flash in fans’ memories. Below is a rink-by-rink tour of the biggest games, records and quotes that turned an ordinary fall day into a permanent bookmark in hockey lore.

Wayne Gretzky reaches 1,000 career points (1986)

Edmonton’s 7-3 win over the Los Angeles kings on november 19, 1986, will always be remembered for one statistic that flashed on the Coliseum scoreboard late in the second period: 1,000. Gretzky assisted on a Jari Kurri power-play goal at 15:30 of the middle frame, becoming the fastest player in league history—and the youngest—to four digits. The tally came in his 424th regular-season game, shaving more than 200 games off the previous best set by Guy Lafleur.

The building erupted for nearly two minutes while play continued. Kings goalie Glenn Healy later joked that he felt like “a wedding photographer” because everyone was looking at the press box instead of the puck. Gretzky, ever modest, told reporters after the game:

> “Individual numbers are great, but the two points for the standings feel better. We’ve got a dynasty to chase.”

The Oilers would indeed chase—and catch—another Stanley Cup that spring, underlining how milestones and team success often intertwine on nights like this.

Patrick Roy earns his 400th victory (2002)

Exactly sixteen years later, Colorado’s Patrick Roy became the first goaltender to post 400 wins in an Avs sweater. The 3-2 overtime decision against the Washington capitals at the Pepsi Center featured the usual Roy theatrics: a sprawling glove stop on Jaromir Jagr with 4:10 left in regulation and a shootout-style denial of Robert Lang in the extra frame. When Alex Tanguay roofed the winner at 3:57 of OT, Roy’s teammates mobbed him as if he’d scored the goal himself.

The victory pushed Roy past Tony Esposito into sole possession of third place on the all-time wins list, behind only Patrick Roy’s boyhood hero, Jacques Plante, and the eventual record holder, Martin Brodeur. Coach Bob Hartley called the moment “a testament to competitiveness wrapped in a goalie mask,” while Roy simply said:

> “Four hundred is a big number, but the next one is always the hardest.”

Other milestone moments on november 19

• Maurice Richard nets his 325th goal (1954) – The Rocket parked a rebound behind Rangers goalie Johnny Bower, moving him ahead of Nels Stewart into what was then the career goal-scoring lead. Richard finished with 544, a standard that stood until Gordie Howe cruised past in 1963.

• Ray Bourque plays his 1,200th game (1996) – Boston’s iron-man defenseman logged 28:13 of ice time in a 4-1 loss to Buffalo, becoming only the fifth blueliner to reach the plateau. Bourque’s streak of 16 straight seasons with 20-plus minutes per night remains one of the quietest dominance displays in league annals.

• Sidney Crosby’s 1,000th NHL point (2016) – Technically registered four days earlier, the official scoring change from the league back-dated an assist to november 19 after video review, making the date part of the paperwork for Sid’s entry into the four-digit club.

How november 19 shaped the standings and playoff races

Milestones are fun, but points in the table decide springtime fates. On this date in 2011, the Chicago blackhawks used a 5-4 shootout win over Anaheim to climb into a three-way tie atop the Central Division. Patrick Kane’s silky shootout winner—slowing to a near stop before tucking a backhand past Jonas Hiller—ended a nine-game road losing streak and reminded the league that even defending champs can hit mid-autumn skids.

Five years later, the New York islanders blanked the Los Angeles kings 4-0 at Barclays Center, a result that vaulted the Isles into the final wild-card slot. Thomas Greiss recorded his first shutout of the season, but the bigger story was the defensive structure installed by interim coach Doug Weight after Jack Capuano’s dismissal. The victory sparked a 15-5-4 run that carried the franchise to its first playoff series win since 1993.

Quotes that echo through the years

• Glenn Anderson after Gretzky’s 1,000th point: “We all skated to the bench like we’d scored. That’s what playing with greatness feels like—everyone owns a piece of history.”

• Patrick Roy on win No. 400: “Goalies don’t count wins, trainers do. I just try to stop the next shot.”

• Maurice Richard in 1954: “Records are like snow on the rink; beautiful until the next period starts.”

What it means for today’s game

Modern stars such as Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Cale Makar chase similar benchmarks every night, but the stories above remind us that context matters. Gretzky’s 1,000th point came during an era when 150-point seasons were plausible; Roy’s 400th win arrived when goalies still had the freedom to roam and innovate. Each milestone is a time capsule of rules, equipment and style of play.

For fans, november 19 offers a ready-made excuse to dive into highlight reels and debate which current record feels unbreakable. Will anyone match Gretzky’s speed to 1,000? With scoring up league-wide, the door is cracked, yet the 200-game gap he built remains a mountain. Meanwhile, Roy’s 400 wins look safer than ever in an age of goalie platoons and shootout decisions that can erase potential victories.

If you’re curious how today’s milestones stack up against the legends, check out our deep dive into the evolution of NHL scoring titles or revisit the top 10 goalie records that may never be broken for more context on where Roy’s mark sits in the modern landscape.

Sources and further reading

• NHL Public Relations game notes, november 19 editions (1986, 2002, 2011, 2016)
• The Hockey News archives, “Gretzky at 1,000: Inside the fastest climb ever,” Dec. 1, 1986
• Denver Post sports section, “Roy joins 400-win club,” Nov. 20, 2002