Joe Thornton passed a legend on the NHL's all-time assists list.
Thornton set up Timo Meier's first-period power-play goal Friday against the Vancouver Canucks, and picked up the 1,034th of his career. That's the 11th-most assists in league history, and Thornton officially surpassed Mario Lemieux's career total.
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After adding another assist in the third period, 39-year-old is now six assists away from passing Marcel Dionne and entering the top 10, with 59 games remaining this regular season. Every player in the top 10, as well as Lemieux, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Ten days ago, Thornton became the 97th player to score 400 goals, and only the 11th in NHL history to also have 1000 assists. He needs 24 points to overtake Teemu Selanne for 15th all-time on the NHL's scoring list.
His assist Friday was his seventh point in 14 games. If he keeps up a half-point per game pace over the remainder of the season, passing Selanne is well within reach.
