GOLDEN KNIGHTS EARN 34TH WIN TO ESTABLISH ANOTHER NHL RECORD

The Jets tied the game with 2:36 remaining in regulation, but David Perron (1-1—2) scored at 3:57 of overtime to power the Golden Knights to a 34-12-4 (72 points) mark this season. Vegas established an NHL record for most wins by a team in its inaugural season – with 32 games remaining in its 2017-18 campaign.

* The Golden Knights own the best record in the Western Conference standings and remained one point back of the League-leading Lightning (35-13-3, 73 points), who earned a win on Thursday. Vegas snapped Winnipeg’s home win streak at seven games and improved to 15-9-2 (32 points) as visitors, four road victories shy of the NHL record for most by a team in its inaugural season.

* Perron (4-6—10) and Erik Haula (4-5—9) each extended their point streak to seven games, tied for the second-longest active runs in the NHL behind only Sidney Crosby (3-17—20 in 10 GP).

* Marc-Andre Fleury (26 saves) earned his 389th career win to move into a tie with Dominik Hasek for 13th place on the NHL’s all-time list among goaltenders.

MAPLE LEAFS POST SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT . . .

Curtis McElhinney turned aside all 25 shots he faced to backstop the Maple Leafs to their second shutout victory in as many days (also 5-0 W on Jan. 31 vs. NYI) and fourth consecutive win overall. Toronto posted shutouts in consecutive days for the fifth time in franchise history.

. . . AS HOLL JOINS RARE COMPANY WITH SECOND CAREER GOAL

Maple Leafs defenseman Justin Holl, who scored in his NHL debut on Wednesday, found the back of the net again on Thursday.

* Holl became the sixth defenseman in NHL history to score a goal in each of his first two career games and first to do so in consecutive days. No defenseman in NHL history has scored at least once in each of their first three career games.

* Holl also became the seventh player in Maple Leafs franchise history to score a goal in each of his first two career games and second to do so in consecutive days. Only three players in franchise history have scored at least once in each of their first three career games.

BRUINS, RASK CONTINUE TO ROLL

Tuukka Rask made 32 saves to help the Bruins improve to 15-1-4 in their last 20 games.

* Rask improved to 17-0-2 in his last 19 decisions dating to Nov. 29 (1.62 GAA, .941 SV%, 2 SO). Rask became the fourth goaltender in franchise history to earn at least one point in 19 consecutive decisions.

* Patrice Bergeron scored the game winner and has recorded 10 goals since Jan. 1 (12 GP), trailing only Evgeni Malkin (12 in 12 GP) for the most in 2018.

LEAGUE-LEADING LIGHTNING ERUPT FOR SEVEN GOALS

The Lightning erupted for seven goals – including four in the third period – to improve to 35-13-3 (73 points) this season and maintain a one-point edge over the Golden Knights for first place in the NHL standings. Tampa Bay scored at least seven goals in a game for the third time this season (also 7-1 W on Oct. 21 vs. PIT and 8-5 W on Oct. 30 at FLA).

* Alex Killorn collected 2-2—4 and matched his single-game career high for points, a mark he set earlier this season on Oct. 12 vs. PIT (0-4—4).

* Andrei Vasilevskiy (42 saves) improved to 30-9-2 this season (2.23 GAA, .930 SV%, 7 SO) and became the first goaltender to reach the 30-win mark in 2017-18.

RINNE RECORDS SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT

Pekka Rinne turned aside all 19 shots he faced to record his second straight shutout (also Jan. 25 at NJD) and help the Predators improve to 7-1-2 in their last 10 games.

* Rinne posted consecutive shutouts in the regular season for the third time in his NHL career (also March 18-20, 2010 and Feb. 12-14, 2013) and extended his personal win streak to six games dating to Jan. 6 (1.48 GAA, .947 SV%, 2 SO).

QUICK CLICKS

· Evgeni Malkin, Patrice Bergeron, Jonathan Bernier named Three Stars for January

· Islanders’ Mathew Barzal named NHL Rookie of the Month for January

· VIDEO: NHL All-Stars make Super Bowl picks

· Alec Martinez fulfills promise to parents, completes degree (via Lisa Dillman)

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

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PENGUINS, CAPITALS FACE OFF IN METROPOLITAN SHOWDOWN

Two of the top three teams in the Metropolitan Division face off when the Capitals (30-15-5, 65 points) visit the Penguins (28-21-3, 59 points) at PPG Paints Arena.

* The Penguins enter the contest on a three-game winning streak and with an 8-2-0 record in their past 10 contests, while the Capitals – who lead the division – have won consecutive games as they continue their hunt for a third straight division title.

* Both teams continue to receive strong performances from their veteran captains: Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is the only player to reach 30 goals this season, the 13th consecutive time he’s hit the milestone, while Penguins forward Sidney Crosby enters the contest on a 10-game assist/point streak (3-17—20), the longest active stretch in the League.

the above information was supplied by the NHL PR department