Joe Malone scored five goals in the NHL’s first game on December 19, 1917.
Malone played for the Montreal Canadiens in the league’s inaugural game against the Ottawa Senators. Montreal won 7–4, with Malone scoring five times and Newsy Lalonde adding the other two Canadiens goals. The result established Malone immediately as the NHL’s first major scoring star.
The game was played soon after the NHL was formed in Montreal in November 1917. The new league began with four clubs, including the Canadiens and Senators, both of which had already competed in earlier professional leagues.
Malone’s five-goal performance is distinct from the NHL record for goals in a game. Several players have scored five, but Malone’s achievement remains unique because it came in the league’s very first contest. He later led the NHL in goals during its first two seasons.