HERTL, OVECHKIN HAVE DUELING HAT TRICKS AS SHARKS OUTLAST CAPITALS
The Sharks survived an Alex Ovechkin hat trick (3-1—4) and a multi-goal, third period deficit with help from Evander Kane’s game-tying marker with one second remaining in regulation and Tomas Hertl’s second hat trick in seven days (also 3-0—3 vs. PIT on Jan. 15). Hertl became the first player in Sharks franchise history to score a hat trick that included an overtime goal.

* The last time a player from each team had a hat trick in the same regular-season game was Jan. 23, 2016 when Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin(3-0—3) and Vancouver’s Jannik Hansen (3-0—3) did so in a 5-4 Penguins win. The Sharks were last involved in such a game on Jan. 18, 2014 in a 5-4 W vs. TBL when Joe Pavelski (3-0—3) and Martin St. Louis (4-0—4) both notched three-goal outings.

* Ovechkin is no stranger to dueling hat tricks, having been involved in one in the regular-season as part of an 8-6 W vs. OTT on Dec. 29, 2007 (Ovechkin: 4-1—5; Mike Fisher: 3-0—3) and memorably, in a postseason contest against the rival Penguins on May 4, 2009 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals (Ovechkin: 3-0—3; Sidney Crosby: 3-0—3).

* Kane (21 G) and Hertl (22 G) each surpassed the 20-goal benchmark, joining Joe Pavelski (27 G), who also scored on Tuesday. The 2018-19 campaign marks the third season in Sharks franchise history in which the club has featured three 20-goal scorers in 52 games or fewer. The others: 2011-12 (Logan Couture, Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski) and 2008-09 (Marleau, Ryane Clowe and Devin Setoguchi)

* The Sharks and Capitals marked the 15th time this season teams have combined to score 12 or more goals in a game, the highest total through 764 games of a season since 1995-96 (28).

* There have now been 131 instances of a team scoring six or more goals in a game this season – including both the Sharks and Capitals on Tuesday – the highest total through 764 games of a season since 2005-06 (132).

OVECHKIN: THE LEAGUE’S LEADING GOAL SCORER
Ovechkin notched his 23rd career hat trick to improve to 36-20—56 in 49 GP and become the first player to reach the 35-goal mark this season. His three-goal performance propelled him ahead of Teemu Selanne (22) and into a tie with Jari Kurri (23) for the 10th-most hat tricks in NHL history.

* It was Ovechkin’s first three-goal game against the Sharks, bringing his total to 15 different clubs against whom he has scored a hat trick. Only six players in NHL history scored a hat trick against more than 15 different clubs: Brett Hull (20), Mario Lemieux (19), Mike Bossy (19), Wayne Gretzky (18), Teemu Selanne (16) and Bernie Nicholls (16).

* Additionally, the 2018-19 campaign marked the fifth time in Ovechkin’s career in which he was the first player to reach the 35-goal mark. Only Bobby Hull and Maurice Richard have accomplished the feat on more occasions.

* The Capitals captain collected at least 35 goals before his 50th appearance for the fifth time in his career (also 2013-14^, 2009-10, 2008-09^ and 2007-08^). He is only the sixth player in NHL history to post five such instances in his career. The others: Mike Bossy (8x), Mario Lemieux (8x), Wayne Gretzky (7x), Bobby Hull (5x) and Guy Lafleur (5x).
^ Denotes Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy-winning seasons

* Ovechkin, who boosted his career totals to (643-535—1,178), surpassed Dave Andreychuk (640) for sole possession of 14th on the NHL's all-time goals list, while also moving within one point of tying Sergei Fedorov (483-696—1,179) for the most points in NHL history by a Russian-born player.

KUEMPER CONTINUES TO SHINE FOR COYOTES
Vinnie Hinostroza (2-1—3) factored on all three Coyotes goals, while Darcy Kuemper (25 saves) improved to 6-0-2 in his last eight appearances dating to Jan. 4 (2.07 GAA, .928 SV%, 1 SO). He is one of three NHL goaltenders without a regulation loss since New Year’s Day (min. 5 GP).

* The last Coyotes goaltender to record at least a point in more than eight consecutive appearances was Mike Smith in 2011-12 – he strung together 11 straight wins from Feb. 4-28 (all starts) to guide the club into the playoffs and eventually to the Western Conference Final. That marked the last time the Coyotes reached the postseason.

* The longest point streak by a goaltender in franchise history was a 12-game run recorded by Brian Hayward in 1984-85 when the club was based in Winnipeg (10-0-2 from March 8 - April 6).

AROUND THE RINKS

* Despite surrendering a game-tying goal with 43.4 seconds remaining in the third period, Mikael Backlund scored 15 seconds into overtime to help the Western Conference-leading Flames (33-13-5, 71 points) extend their point streak to nine contests (8-0-1 dating to Jan. 5). Only one other season in franchise history has witnessed the club reach the 70-point mark in fewer games: 50 GP in 1988-89, en route to capturing the Stanley Cup.

* Patrick Kane collected an assist in regulation and found the back of the net in the shootout en route to inching closer to the 900-point milestone (341-558—899 in 872 GP). Kane, who holds the League’s longest active point streak (9 GP from Jan. 3-22), is one shy of becoming the fifth American-born player in NHL history to reach 900 points prior to their 900th contest: Pat LaFontaine (752 GP), Joe Mullen (821 GP),Jeremy Roenick (860 GP) and Mike Modano (868 GP).

* Luke Glendening (2-0—2) recorded his third career multi-goal game to help the Red Wings earn their third win in their past five contests (3-2-0). Glendening is the 10th different Red Wings player to record a game-winning goal this season. The Predators pace the League with 16 such players in 2018-19.

QUICK CLICKS

* NHL debuts ‘House of Chel’ during All-Star Weekend

* Watch: Players talk '80s, '90s TV in latest Puck Personality video

* Kirby Dach, Dylan Cozens looking to impress at CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

* Five Questions with Panthers forward Mike Hoffman

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

30-GOAL SCORERS SET TO SQUARE OFF IN TORONTO
Fresh off climbing the NHL’s all-time goals list Tuesday, Alex Ovechkin and his League-leading 36 goals travel to Scotiabank Arena in Toronto to face off against John Tavares (30-23—53) and the Maple Leafs (29-17-2, 60 points).

* The last time two players each with 30 or more goals played against one another on or prior to Jan. 23 was over eight years ago, whenSidney Crosby (32 G) and the Penguins faced Steven Stamkos (31 G) and the Lightning on Jan. 5, 2011. Pittsburgh posted an 8-1 victory in that game – a battle between two clubs at the top of their division – though both Crosby and Stamkos were held without a goal.

* The Maple Leafs have collected at least 30 wins prior to the All-Star break on three occasions: 2013-14 (32-22-6), 2003-04 (30-14-11) and 1999-00 (30-15-9). The franchise mark for fewest games to record 30 wins in a season is 48 (1934-35).

FORSBERG, GOLDEN KNIGHTS BOTH AIM FOR FRANCHISE MARKS

In the final slate of games before the All-Star break, the Golden Knights (29-18-4, 62 points) set their sights on their 30th win of the season, while Predators forward Filip Forsberg closes in on another 20-goal campaign.

* With a win tonight, Vegas can become the first franchise in League history to reach the 30-win mark in each of its first two NHL seasons. TheGolden Knights’ 80 wins since 2017-18 are already the highest combined total by a franchise in their first two NHL seasons, 16 more than the Blues (64; 27 in 1967-68 and 37 in 1968-69).

* Meanwhile, Forsberg (18-11—29) looks to reach the 20-goal mark and become the first player in franchise history to hit the milestone in five different seasons. The only other Predators players with four: Craig Smith (4) and Patric Hornqvist (4).

the information above was provided by the NHL PR department