* Andersen earned his 29th victory of the season to move into a share of first place in the NHL (w/ Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne). His 44 saves were five shy of his career high, established on March 2, 2014 vs. CAR (49 saves in 5-3 W).

* Jakob Silfverberg (2-0—2) recorded his fourth career multi-goal game and second of the season to power the Ducks to a 4-0 lead after two periods. Silfverberg also notched his fourth career shorthanded marker and first since April 9, 2014 vs. SJS.

* Matt Beleskey reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career. He also tallied his seventh game-winning goal of the season, tied for the most in the NHL.

* Corey Perry added an empty-net goal for his team-leading 22nd marker of the season. Sami Vatanen also found the back of the net; he shares seventh among defensemen with 11 goals in 2014-15.

. . . ALLEN BLANKS SABRES, HELPS BLUES SET FRANCHISE MARK
Jake Allen stopped all 23 shots he faced to earn his fourth career shutout (third this season) and help the Blues set a franchise record by collecting points for the 13th consecutive game (12-0-1).

* At 34-13-4 (72 points), the Blues tied the Predators (33-12-6, 72 points) – in terms of points – for the top spot in the Central Division. Nashville, however, remains in first via the ROW tiebreaker (NSH: 29, STL: 28). The Blues and Predators do not meet again in 2014-15; Nashville won the season series 3-1-1 (STL: 2-3-0).

* The Blues also picked up their seventh consecutive victory, tying a season high set Oct. 25 – Nov. 6.

* Allen became the fourth rookie goaltender in Blues history to register three shutouts in one season, joining Brent Johnson (4 in 2000-01), Ernie Wakely (4 in 1969-70) and Curtis Sanford (3 in 2005-06). He has compiled a 15-5-2 record with a 2.49 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in 23 appearances.

* Dmitrij Jaskin notched his third career game-winning goal, all of which have come this season (also Oct. 25 vs. CHI and Dec. 29 vs. COL).

* Vladimir Tarasenko found the back of the net for the third consecutive game (3-1—4). He ranks sixth in the NHL with 27 goals this season, while his 52 points share sixth overall.

* The Blues improved to 15-3-2 versus Eastern Conference opponents this season, including a 12-game point streak dating to Nov. 22 at OTT (10-0-2).

* The Blues recorded their sixth consecutive victory over the Sabres dating to Feb. 18, 2011, and improved to 16-2-0 in their past 18 meetings dating to Jan. 13, 1999.

JOHNSON SPARKS LIGHTNING VICTORY . . .
The Lightning surrendered a 2-0 lead, but Tyler Johnson scored twice in the third period – including the tiebreaking goal with 3:37 remaining – to lift the club to a 3-0-1 mark in its past four contests.

* At 33-15-5 (71 points), the Lightning remained in first place in the Eastern Conference and stayed within four points of the Ducks (34-12-6, 74 points) for the top overall seed in the NHL.

* Johnson registered his sixth multi-goal performance of the season, five of which have come on the road. He leads the Lightning and ranks 10th in the NHL with 19-32—51. Johnson also shares second in the League with a +27 rating.

* Steven Stamkos found the back of the net 3:11 after the opening face-off. He paces the club and is tied for third in the NHL with 28 goals this season, four behind League leaders Rick Nash and Alex Ovechkin.

* Nikita Kucherov posted 1-1—2 for his 11th multi-point performance of the season. He leads the NHL with a +29 rating.

* Andrei Vasilevskiy made 33 saves, including 15 in the middle frame, to improve to 4-1-0 with a 2.01 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in five career appearances.

* The Lightning picked up their fourth victory in their past five meetings with the Stars dating to Oct. 18, 2010, and have earned points in nine of their past 10 matchups dating to Jan. 20, 2006 (6-1-2).

. . . MRAZEK HELPS RED WINGS GAIN GROUND IN ATLANTIC
Petr Mrazek denied all 28 shots he faced to record his third career shutout (first this season) and backstop the Red Wings to eighth win in their past nine starts.

* At 30-12-9 (69 points), the Red Wings leapfrogged the idle Canadiens (32-15-3, 67 points) for second place in the Atlantic Division. They also remained two points behind the Lightning (33-15-5, 71 points) for the division lead. Detroit holds two games in hand, but Tampa Bay owns the ROW tiebreaker (TBL: 31, DET: 28).

* Mrazek improved to 12-4-1 with a 2.50 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 18 appearances this season, including a 7-1-0 mark in nine starts since Jimmy Howard was injured on Jan. 10.

* Justin Abdelkader broke a 0-0 deadlock with his 12th goal of the season midway through the second period. It stood as his fourth game-winning goal of 2014-15 (44 GP), surpassing his career high established last season (3 in 70 GP).

* Darren Helm and Luke Glendening each added an empty-net goal. Pavel Datsyuk collected his 555th career assist to surpass Sergei Fedorov for fifth in Red Wings history.

* The Red Wings extended their point streak against the Avalanche to seven games dating to March 5, 2013 (5-0-2). That includes three straight wins at Pepsi Center.

SHARKS BITE CANUCKS TO RISE IN PACIFIC
Five different players scored to lead the Sharks past the Canucks and to their fourth victory in their past six outings (4-1-1).

* At 28-18-7 (63 points), the Sharks leapfrogged the idle Flames (29-20-3, 61 points) to move back into second place in the Pacific Division. Calgary has played one fewer game, but the teams are tied in ROW (CGY: 26, SJS: 26).

* The Sharks also moved four points ahead of the Canucks (28-19-3, 59 points) in the Pacific Division, where teams No. 2-5 are separated by nine points.

* Melker Karlsson recorded the game-winning goal; he has supplied the decisive marker in each of the team’s past two wins (also Jan. 31 vs. CHI). Chris Tierney (1-1—2) added his first career goal (16 GP).

* Joe Pavelski notched his 15th power-play goal of the season to move into sole possession of first place in the NHL. He also shares third in the League with 28 overall goals (w/ Tyler Seguin and Steven Stamkos).

* Brent Burns and Logan Couture each collected two assists. Burns ranks fourth among defensemen with 11-28—39 this season.

* Antti Niemi made 33 saves, including 12 in both the second and third periods, to stretch his personal point streak to eight contests (6-0-2).

* The Sharks improved to 7-3-0 in their past 10 regular-season meetings with the Canucks dating to Jan. 27, 2013 (1-2-0 this season). They face off two more times in 2014-15, on March 3 at Rogers Arena and on March 7 at SAP Center.

CLUTTERBUCK, HALAK HELP ISLANDERS RECLAIM FIRST PLACE
Cal Clutterbuck scored the tying goal late in the second period and added the decisive marker in the seventh round of the shootout to help the Islanders snap a three-game skid.

* At 33-17-1 (67 points), the Islanders leapfrogged the idle Penguins (29-14-8, 66 points) to reclaim first place in the Metropolitan Division. Both clubs have played 51 games; Pittsburgh owns the ROW tiebreaker (PIT: 27, NYI: 26).

* The Islanders’ 33 wins equal a franchise record through the opening 51 games of one season, established in 1978-79 (33-8-10).

* The Islanders improved to 17-2-0 versus Metropolitan Division opponents this season, including a 3-0-0 mark against the Flyers. Per Elias, their .895 intradivision points percentage is the second-highest in one campaign since 2005-06 (CHI: .917 vs. Central in 2012-13).

* Clutterbuck scored his first goal since Dec. 13 vs. CHI, snapping a 19-game drought. He also recorded his first career goal in the shootout (1-for-4).

* Jaroslav Halak made 16 saves through overtime and denied six attempts in the shootout to improve to 27-11-0 with a 2.42 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and four shutouts. His 27 victories are five shy of the Islanders’ single-season record, shared by Rick DiPietro, Chris Osgood and Billy Smith.

* The Islanders improved to 12-1 in games that have gone past regulation this season, including a 7-1 mark in shootouts – they are tied for first in the NHL in wins in both categories.

AROUND THE RINKS
Highlights from the rest of Thursday’s action:

* Down 1-0 late in the second period, the Capitals scored twice in 49 seconds – including a midair, tiebreaking goal by Alex Ovechkin – to pick up their second straight win. With the victory, the Capitals (27-15-10, 64 points) tied the idle Rangers (30-15-4, 64 points) – in terms of points – for third place in the Metropolitan Division. New York, however, holds three games in hand and owns the ROW tiebreaker (NYR: 28, WSH: 26). Ovechkin recorded his 32nd goal of the season to move into a share of the League lead (w/ Rick Nash). He also collected his seventh game-winning marker to move into a four-way tie for first overall. Braden Holtby made 25 saves to pick up his 25th victory; he ranks in the top five this season in shutouts (2nd; 6), goals-against average (5th; 2.14) and save percentage (5th; .925).

* Trailing 2-1 midway through the third period, Nick Bjugstad tied the game and Brandon Pirri found the back of the net with 3:05 remaining to power the Panthers to their second consecutive victory. At 23-17-10 (56 points), the Panthers moved within five points of the idle Bruins (27-17-7, 61 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Boston owns the ROW tiebreaker (BOS: 25, FLA: 18), but Florida holds one game in hand. Bjugstad (50 GP) set a career high with his 17th goal of the season, surpassing his personal best established in 2013-14 (76 GP). Pirri scored for the fourth straight game (4-1—5) and also registered his first career game-winning marker. Roberto Luongo made 29 saves to guide the Panthers to their second win over the Kings in their past 12 meetings dating to Nov. 5, 2003 (2-9-1).

* Cam Ward denied 28 shots through overtime and turned aside all three attempts he faced in the shootout to help the Hurricanes pick up points for the sixth time in their past seven outings (4-1-2). Ward snapped a four-game personal losing streak (0-2-2), earning his first win since Jan. 8 and first on the road since Nov. 28. Victor Rask scored the team’s lone goal in regulation, finding the back of the net 1:03 after the opening face-off. Elias Lindholm added the lone tally in the shootout, his first career game-deciding marker. The Hurricanes recorded their third consecutive victory over the Coyotes dating to Dec. 14, 2013, and fourth straight win at Gila River Arena dating to Feb. 7, 2009.

PHILLIPS, MARLEAU REACH MILESTONES
Senators defenseman Chris Phillips and Sharks forward Patrick Marleau both reached milestones for games played on Thursday:

* Phillips, the No. 1 overall selection by the Senators in the 1996 NHL Draft, skated in his 1,179th game to surpass Daniel Alfredsson as the franchise’s all-time leader in games played. Phillips has spent his entire career in Ottawa, compiling 71-217—288 and a +68 rating. He also ranks second in Senators history in playoff appearances (114), behind only Alfredsson (121).

* ICYMI: Alfredsson, former defensive partner Wade Redden and general manager Bryan Murray presented Phillips with a special jersey prior to puck drop.

* Marleau, the No. 2 overall selection by the Sharks in the 1997 NHL Draft, became the 56th player in League history to appear in 1,300 games. Marleau, who has spent his entire career in San Jose, also became the 11th player in NHL history to achieve the feat with one club. He ranks first in Sharks history in games played, goals (447) and points (968).

* At 35 years, 143 days, Elias says Marleau became the youngest player in NHL history to reach 1,300 games. Scott Stevens previously held the mark, skating in his 1,300th contest at 35 years, 247 days (in December 1999).

DID YOU KNOW?
* Road teams won eight of the nine games contested on Thursday. With 62.4% of the regular season in the books, road clubs have a combined 340-328-100 record (.508 points percentage).

* Elias says Thursday marked just the fourth time in NHL history that road teams won eight games on a day with no more than nine contests. The other such instances, all with eight road victories out of nine games: April 7, 2000; March 3, 2012; and Dec. 3, 2013.

* The top 12 teams in the NHL standings are separated by 11 points. Last season, the League’s top seven finishers entered the playoffs separated by 10 points.

LOOSE PUCKS
The NHL announced that it is ranked No. 17 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Top 100 list of the largest users of green power, making it the first professional sports league to achieve the distinction. Click here for the full list. Visit NHL.com/Green to learn more about the League’s green efforts . . . The Predators suffered their first loss at Bridgestone Arena since Dec. 6, snapping their franchise-record home winning streak at nine contests . . . The Flyers completed their five-game homestand with a 4-0-1 record . . . Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle posted one helper to stretch his assist/point streak to five games (0-7—7). He leads all blueliners and shares sixth overall with 33 helpers this season . . . Stars captain Jamie Benn notched one assist to extend his point streak to five games (3-4—7) . . . Predators forward Colin Wilson (49 GP) found the back of the net to set career highs in goals (17) and points (36), surpassing his previous marks achieved in 2010-11 (82 GP) and 2011-12 (68 GP), respectively . . . Canucks forward Radim Vrbata reached the 20-goal milestone for the second consecutive season and for the fifth time in his NHL career . . . Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde scored his fifth goal in his past seven games. He had four goals in his first 81 career outings . . . Avalanche goaltender Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves, but suffered his first regulation loss since Jan. 19 (3-0-1) . . . Kings forward Marian Gaborik (1-1—2) registered his seventh multi-point performance of the season . . . Coyotes forward David Moss scored his first goal since April 13, 2014 vs. DAL, halting a 29-game drought . . . Kings defenseman Jamie McBain, Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist and Lightning forward Ondrej Palat all recorded their 100th NHL point . . . Islanders forward Michael Grabner played in his 300th NHL game . . . ICYMI: NASCAR driver Kyle Busch met Coyotes captain Shane Doan prior to the CAR-ARI game.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Toronto @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., SNO, TVA, MSG+
Anaheim @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., PRIME, CSN-DC
St. Louis @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., FS-MW, FS-O
Chicago @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., NHLN-US, CSN-CH, TSN3
Pittsburgh @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., ROOT, SNW

Thanks to the NHL PR Department for the information above.