The NHL, with over a century of history, is bound to have some oddities sprinkled amongst its well-known records. While everyone knows about Wayne Gretzky's insurmountable point totals or Alexander Ovechkin's pursuit of the goal-scoring record, some accomplishments are just plain strange. These aren't necessarily marks of skill or dominance, but rather bizarre occurrences, statistical anomalies, and unusual achievements that make hockey a sport full of surprises.

One such oddity is the record for the fastest goal in a game that ended 1-0. On February 2, 2011, Winnipeg Jets forward Michael Frolik scored just 20 seconds into the game against the Chicago Blackhawks. What makes this truly weird is that despite nearly 60 minutes of play remaining, neither team could find the back of the net again. Frolik's early marker stood as the game-winner, making it the earliest goal in NHL history to decide a 1-0 contest. It highlights the unpredictable nature of hockey, where a single, early goal can hold up for an entire game.

Another peculiar record involves penalty minutes. While fighting and physicality have always been part of hockey, one game stands out for its sheer amount of infractions. On March 11, 2004, a game between the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers saw a staggering 419 penalty minutes handed out. The first period alone featured 409 penalty minutes and included 14 fighting penalties and 12 game misconducts. Even the starting goalies, Robert Esche of Philadelphia and Patrick Lalime of Ottawa, got in on the action, receiving fighting majors. Jason Spezza of the Senators led all players with 35 penalty minutes, while Donald Brashear led the Flyers with 34. It was a night of pure mayhem and one that seems unlikely to be repeated in today's NHL.

Then there's the case of the longest stretch of play without a whistle. On December 22, 2008, in a game between the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, the two teams went a staggering 13 minutes and 45 seconds without a stoppage. The play ran uninterrupted from 19:21 to 5:36 of the first period. The extended play included nine shots on goal and 15 hits. Finally, a save by Capitals goalie Jaroslav Halak ended the run. What makes this even weirder is that the next whistle came just 26 seconds later, followed by another 18 seconds after that. It's a testament to the ebb and flow of hockey, where long stretches of continuous play can suddenly be broken by a flurry of stoppages.

Mario Lemieux, one of the greatest players of all time, holds a unique record. On December 31, 1988, Lemieux scored five goals in a single game against the New Jersey Devils, with each goal scored in a different way: even strength, power play, shorthanded, penalty shot, and empty net. "Super Mario" is the only player in NHL history to achieve this feat.

Finally, there is the strange case of Ken Daneyko's goal drought. Known as a defensive defenseman, Daneyko went 255 games without scoring a goal, which is an NHL record. Spanning more than three full seasons, Daneyko's inability to find the back of the net became something of a running joke. While stay-at-home defensemen aren't typically known for their scoring prowess, going that long without a goal is an unusual accomplishment. These are just a few examples of the weird and wonderful records and accomplishments that exist in the NHL. They highlight the unpredictable nature of the game and the unexpected ways in which players and teams can find their place in hockey history. While the focus is often on goals, assists, and championships, these oddities remind us that there's always room for the strange and unusual in the world of sports.