KUCHEROV’S HISTORIC SEASON CONTINUES WITH 100TH POINT
With just under nine minutes remaining in the second period, Nikita Kucherov (1-0—1) converted a two-on-one to become the first player to reach the 100-point plateau this season (30-70—100 in 62 GP) - requiring the fewest games to hit the mark since Mario Lemieux in 1996-97 (61 GP). In the process, Kucherov also became the first player in Lightning franchise history to record 100 points on multiple occasions (also 39-61—100 in 2017-18).

* Ten percent of the League had not yet been born when Lemieux reached the 100-point mark on March 8, 1997 - the last time a player reached 100 points in fewer than 65 games before Kucherov achieved the feat Thursday.

* Only two players in NHL history have reached the 100-point mark in 40 or fewer games: Wayne Gretzky (34 GP in 1983-84, 35 GP in 1984-85, 38 GP in 1981-82 and 39 GP in 1985-86) and Lemieux (36 GP in 1988-89, 38 GP in 1995-96 and 38 GP in 1992-93).

* Kucherov (3 years, 264 days) hadn’t yet celebrated his fourth birthday when Lemieux became the first player to 100 points in 1996-97 (44-56—100 in 61 GP), reaching the milestone with the primary assist on Glen Murray’s tying goal on March 8, 1997 in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Flyers. That happened to be Murray’s last goal in a Penguins uniform - he was traded to the Kings 10 days later for Eddie Olczyk.

* Lemieux went on to claim his sixth and final Art Ross Trophy, leading all scorers with 50-72—122 (76 GP) in his final campaign before a three-season hiatus from the NHL. Kucherov currently is on pace for 40-93—132.

* Only two current NHL players had been drafted at the time Lemieux hit the mark, with Matt Cullen (35th overall) and Zdeno Chara (56th overall) selected by the Mighty Ducks and Islanders in the second and third rounds of the 1996 NHL Draft, respectively. Neither had made his NHL debut.

* A closer look at some of the other happenings over the nearly 22 years since Lemieux hit the century mark in 1996-97.

GALLAGHER’S FIRST HAT TRICK POWERS CANADIENS OVER FLYERS
Brendan Gallagher netted his first career hat trick and Carey Price recorded 29 saves to lead the Canadiens (33-21-7, 71 points) to their second victory in as many contests. Montreal moved within three points of Toronto (36-20-4, 76 points), its opponent Saturday, for third place in the Atlantic Division.

* Gallagher recorded the 69th hat trick of 2018-19 (939 GP), the highest such total at this stage of a season since 1995-96 (86). Pittsburgh and Winnipeg account for the most such performances (6), while four teams have yet to record such an outing: Dallas, Edmonton, Minnesota and Ottawa.

* Price improved to 7-0-1 (1.74 GAA, .941 SV%) in his last eight decisions at Bell Centre dating to Jan. 12. In the last 20 years, there have been five instances of a netminder recording a point streak of eight or more home games, with Price recording two others (11 GP in 2016-17 and 10 GP in 2008-09).

* Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored his 11th goal of the season, all of which have occurred at the Bell Centre. The third-overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft became only the third player in NHL history to score his first 11 career goals in a home game. The two others to do so: Bobby Sheehan (13 - 8 w/ MTL, 5 w/ CGS) and Sheldon Souray (11 - 4 w/ NJD, 7 w/ MTL).

* Meanwhile, veteran Tomas Tatar scored to join Max Domi as the second Canadiens player to reach the 20-goal mark in 2018-19. This marks only the sixth time in Canadiens NHL history in which two players in their first year with the club recorded at least 20 goals. Brian Gionta and Michael Cammalleri were the last to do so in 2009-10, while Joe Malone and Newsy Lalonde first accomplished the feat over 100 years ago in 1917-18, the League’s inaugural season.

BURNS, JONES PROPEL SHARKS TO SIXTH STRAIGHT ROAD WIN
Brent Burns collected three points (1-2—3) and Martin Jones turned aside 26 shots to collect his second shutout of the season (21st career) to propel the Sharks (36-17-8, 80 points) to their sixth straight road win, including an 8-1-1 run in their last 10 contests.

* Burns, who leads all blueliners with 12-56—68 in 61 GP this season, collected his fifth shorthanded point of the season. Only three defensemen in the last 20 years have collected more in a single season: Victor Hedman (6 in 2013-14), Steve Staios (6 in 2002-03) and Chris Phillips (6 in 2005-06).

* The Sharks leading scorer also finished atop scoring among defensemen in 2016-17 (29-47—76 in 82 GP) and now sits two points shy of his third 70-point season (also 2015-16). The last blueliner to record his 70th point prior to his 65th team game was Ray Bourque, during the 1993-94 campaign (16-55—71 in 61 GP).

* Jones (15-3-1) sits tied with Tampa’s Andrei Vasilevskiy for wins since Christmas and improved to 29-11-5 this season (2.89 GAA, .898 SV%, 2 SO) to move into a tie with Vegas’ Marc-Andre Fleury for most victories in 2018-19. Only two seasons in franchise history have featured a Sharksnetminder either finishing tied or in sole possession of the League-lead in wins: 2007-08 (Evgeni Nabokov, 46) and 2012-13 (Antti Niemi, tied w/ 24).

* Additionally, the North Vancouver, B.C. native is one win shy of his fourth career and consecutive 30-victory season. No goaltender in Sharksfranchise history has ever posted four straight campaigns with at least 30 wins.

THOUGHTS FROM A THURSDAY

* Alex Ovechkin (43-27—70) opened the scoring for the Capitals on the power play with his 650th career goal and now sits six shy of tying Brendan Shanahan (656) for 13th place all-time. His 243rd regular-season power-play tally also moved the League’s leading goal scorer within three of tying Phil Esposito (246) for fifth on the NHL’s all-time list.

* Captain Roman Josi (1-1—2) factored on both Predators goals to eclipse the 50-point mark this season (14-37—51 in 63 GP) and lead his club to its third win in four contests. Josi became the first defenseman in Predators franchise history to post four campaigns with at least 50 points.

* Jamie Benn found the back of the net twice to reach the 20-goal mark for the ninth time in his NHL career and help the Stars halt the Blues’ 11-game win streak. Only two players in Stars/North Stars franchise history have recorded more such seasons: Mike Modano (16) and Brian Bellows(10).

QUICK CLICKS

* Carl Hagelin traded to Capitals by Kings

* Stadium Series Diary: Gritty

* Black History Month spotlight: Donald Brashear plays in 1,000th NHL game

* Penguins-Flyers rivalry will heat up Stadium Series, Mark Recchi says

* Carter Hart gifts Stadium Series jersey to boy who helped him decide on No. 79

* Black History Month spotlight: Ray Emery boosts Blackhawks

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

PENGUINS, FLYERS TO PRACTICE OUTDOORS AHEAD OF STADIUM SERIES

The Penguins (4 p.m. ET) and Flyers (6 p.m. ET) are scheduled to take to the outdoors for practice at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia today ahead of Saturday’s 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series (8 p.m. ET on NBC, SN1, SN360, TVAS2 & NHL.TV) – the 10th game under the Stadium Series banner and second to feature the Penguins and Flyers (PIT: 4-2 W in 2017 at Heinz Field).

* The 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series Interactive Information Guide – featuring notes about the Penguins-Flyers rivalry as well as a list of records, full register and complete history of outdoor NHL games – now is available for download for registered users via the League’s Media site. Information on the 26 previous regular-season outdoor games - including results, attendance and box scores - also is available on records.nhl.com.

* The NHL and Flyers announced the launch of the Philadelphia Flyers Warriors hockey team. As a legacy to the 2019 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, the NHL and Flyers made a joint donation to fund the new team which is affiliated with USA Hockey’s Warrior Hockey program, dedicated to injured and disabled U.S. Military Veterans who have served their country. Click here for more information.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.