LAINE SETS NHL RECORD FOR LONGEST POINT STREAK BY A TEENAGER

Patrik Laine collected an assist on one of Winnipeg’s five first-period goals to help the Jets (42-19-10, 94 points) improve to 25-7-2 (52 points) at Bell MTS Place this season. Winnipeg is second in the Central Division, eight points back of Nashville (46-14-10, 102 points) for first place.

* Laine extended his franchise-record point streak to 14 games (16-8—24), the longest by a teenager in NHL history.

* The Jets established a franchise record for most home wins in a season (25), eclipsing the mark of 24 set by the Thrashers in 2005-06 (24-13-4, 52 points). Winnipeg moved within one win of matching its franchise record for most in a season overall (43), a mark set by the Thrashers in 2006-07 (43-28-11, 97 points) and matched by the Jets in 2014-15 (43-26-13, 99 points).

ATKINSON (HAT TRICK) HELPS BLUE JACKETS EXTEND WIN STREAK

Cam Atkinson (3-0—3) scored three of Columbus’ five goals as the Blue Jackets (38-28-5, 81 points) earned their sixth consecutive victory, the longest active win streak in the NHL.

* Columbus leapfrogged New Jersey (36-26-8, 80 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference standings and tied Philadelphia (35-25-11, 81 points) for the third-most points in the tightly-contested Metropolitan Division, where seeds 3-5 are separated by just one point.

* Atkinson scored the fourth hat trick of his NHL career (all w/ CBJ) to move within one of tying Rick Nash (5) for the most in franchise history.

MALKIN CONTINUES CHASE FOR ART ROSS, RICHARD IN PENGUINS WIN

Evgeni Malkin collected 1-1—2 to reach the 40-goal mark for the third time in his NHL career and help the Penguins (41-26-5, 87 points) improve to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. Pittsburgh is second in the Metropolitan Division standings.

* Malkin continues to lead the NHL with 26-27—53 in 2018 (32 GP). Since Jan. 1, he has moved from a share of 22nd to second place in the tightly-contested Art Ross Trophy race – where only five points separate Nikita Kucherov, Malkin and Connor McDavid.

* Malkin’s 40 goals trail only Alex Ovechkin (42) and Patrik Laine (41) for the most in the NHL this season. Only one player in franchise history has concluded a season leading the League outright in both goals and points: Mario Lemieux in 1987-88, 1988-89 and 1995-96.

MacKINNON, AVALANCHE EXTEND STREAKS IN WIN

Nathan MacKinnon (2-1—3) scored twice – his ninth and 10th goals in the last 10 contests – to help the Avalanche (38-24-8, 84 points) extend their point streak to nine games (6-0-3).

* Colorado leapfrogged Dallas (38-26-7, 83 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference standings and moved within one point of Minnesota (39-24-7, 85 points) for third place in the Central Division.

* MacKinnon extended his point streak to 10 games (10-10—20) and is fourth in the NHL with 35-50—85 this season (62 GP). He leads the League lead with 1.37 points per game in 2017-18.

* Tyson Barrie (0-1—1), meanwhile, extended his career-high point streak to eight games (4-7—11). Only four different defensemen in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history have recorded longer point streaks.

REIMER POSTS 46-SAVE SHUTOUT AS PANTHERS REMAIN HOT AT HOME

James Reimer turned aside all 46 shots he faced to backstop the Panthers (35-26-7, 77 points) to a 9-1-0 record in their last 10 home games. Florida moved within three points of New Jersey (36-26-8, 80 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference standings.

* Reimer, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Thursday, made at least 46 saves in a shutout for the second time in his NHL career (also 49 on Feb. 4, 2012 w/ TOR). Only one goaltender in franchise history has recorded more in a shutout.

LEAGUE-LEADING PREDATORS EXTEND OVERALL, ROAD POINT STREAKS

Kyle Turris (1-2—3) factored on all three goals to help the League-leading Predators (46-14-10, 102 points) extend their point streak to 13 games (12-0-1).

* The Predators’ 13-game run is one shy of the longest point streak in franchise history (14 GP), a mark set in 2015-16. Nashville extended its road point streak to 13 games (10-0-3) and matched the longest such run in franchise history, a mark also set in 2015-16.

* Pekka Rinne (32 saves) improved to 10-0-0 in his last 10 appearances (1.80 GAA, .945 SV%, 2 SO) to move within one victory of matching the longest win streak of his NHL career (11 GP), a mark he set in 2011-12.

CAPITALS, MAPLE LEAFS ALSO EXTEND WIN STREAKS

The Capitals (40-23-7, 87 points) and Maple Leafs (42-22-7, 91 points) each secured victories to extend wins streaks:

* The Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals erupted for a season-high seven goals to earn their third consecutive win. Philipp Grubauer (35 saves) improved to 7-1-0 in his last eight decisions dating to Feb. 15 (1.57 GAA, .947 SV%, 1 SO).

* James van Riemsdyk collected 2-1—3 to eclipse the 30-goal mark for the first time in his NHL career and help the Maple Leafspick up their third straight win. Toronto is third in the Atlantic Division, five points behind Boston (44-17-8, 96 points) for second place.

BARZAL REACHES 70-POINT MARK

Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (18-52—70) collected an assist to become the first rookie to reach the 70-point mark in 2017-18. He became the third rookie in franchise history to record at least 70 points in a season.

* Barzal also eclipsed the 2016-17 point total of Toronto’s Auston Matthews (40-29—69 in 82 GP), who won the Calder Trophy last season.

QUICK CLICKS

· Jason Chimera hopes to fulfill Stanley Cup dream with Ducks (via Lisa Dillman)

· NHL Draft: Serron Noel combines size, strength with improved skating

· Alex Ovechkin, Patrik Laine, Evgeni Malkin among Richard Trophy favorites

· Impassioned speech from youth hockey player lauded by Bryan Berard

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