Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

02/26/2015 at 10:36am EST

PENGUINS SOLVE CAPITALS, NARROW GAP IN METROPOLITAN
Chris Kunitz posted 1-1—2, including what proved to be the game-winning goal, to help the Penguins defeat the Capitals for the first time this season (PIT: 1-3-0, WSH: 3-1-0) and extend their winning streak to three contests.

* At 35-17-9 (79 points), the No. 3 Penguins moved three points ahead of the No. 4 Capitals (33-19-10, 76 points) in the Metropolitan Division, where the top four teams are separated by six points:


* Kunitz snapped an 11-game drought with his first goal since Jan. 30 at NJD. It stood as his 39th career game-winning goal and fifth of the season – tied for the team lead with Blake Comeau.

* Evgeni Malkin (0-3—3) notched his 62nd career game with at least three points (fifth this season) and 25th career contest with at least three assists (first since Nov. 30, 2013 at FLA: 1-3—4).

* Malkin also registered three points in the club’s last game, collecting 2-1—3 on Sunday vs. FLA. Elias says it is the sixth time in his career Malkin has posted at least three points in consecutive team games and the first such instance since Dec. 17-20, 2011 (3-5—8 in 2 GP).

* Sidney Crosby reached the 20-goal milestone for the eighth time in 10 NHL seasons. Per Elias, only Mario Lemieux (12), Jaromir Jagr (11), Rick Kehoe (9) and Jean Pronovost (9) have achieved the feat more in franchise history.

* Crosby (t-5th, 20-40—62 in 57 GP) and Malkin (7th, 24-37—61 in 56 GP) both rank in the top 10 in scoring this season. Crosby has 18-33—51 in 33 career regular-season games vs. WSH, while Malkin has 9-33—42 in 29 career regular-season appearances vs. WSH.

* Patric Hornqvist and Brandon Sutter also scored for the Penguins. Hornqvist found the back of the net for the third straight game (4-1—5), the first time he has achieved that feat since March 28 – April 5, 2014 (6-3—9 in 4 GP w/ NSH). Sutter recorded his ninth career shorthanded goal and third of the season, matching a career high reached in both 2010-11 and 2013-14.

* The Penguins improved to 6-1-1 in their past eight road games, including points in four straight as visitors (3-0-1).

FLAMES EDGE DEVILS, ADVANCE PLAYOFF POSITION
Down 1-0 late in the second period, the Flames scored three unanswered goals – including the tiebreaking marker by Sean Monahan at 0:35 of the final frame – to snap a three-game skid (0-2-1) and pick up their fifth consecutive victory over the Devils dating to Jan. 10, 2012.

* At 33-24-4 (70 points), the Flames leapfrogged the idle Wild (31-22-7, 69 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, where four clubs are separated by five points:


* The Flames also tied the idle Kings (29-18-12, 70 points) – in terms of points – for third place in the Pacific Division, where teams Nos. 2-5 are separated by five points:


* Monahan (1-1—2) recorded his ninth multi-point performance of the season. He also posted his 21st goal, one shy of his rookie total in 2013-14, and fifth game-winning marker (1st on CGY).

* Curtis Glencross snapped a 13-game drought at 19:46 of the second period with his first goal since Dec. 29 vs. LAK.

* Glencross also scored twice in the teams’ lone other meeting this season, including the tying marker at 19:55 of the third period in an eventual 5-4 shootout victory on Nov. 22 at Scotiabank Saddledome. Overall, Glencross has 6-5—11 in eight career games vs. NJD.

* Mark Giordano collected one assist to establish a career high with his 48th point of the season, tops among defensemen. His 37 assists also are a career high and tied for the most among defensemen this season (w/ Kris Letang).

* TJ Brodie added an empty-net goal to reach the 10-goal mark for the first time in his career. He is the third Flames defenseman to record 10 goals this season, following Dennis Wideman (12) and Giordano (11).

* Elias says there has only been one other season in Flames history when three defensemen scored at least 10 goals – in 1985-86, when Gary Suter (18), Al MacInnis (11) and Jamie Macoun (11) all did so en route to the team’s first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final.

HAMMOND, SENATORS STYMIE DUCKS TO KEEP HOPES ALIVE
Andrew Hammond stopped all 25 shots he faced to record his first career shutout and lead the Senators to their third straight victory, their second such streak of the season (also Oct. 11-18: 4-0-0).

* At 25-23-10 (60 points), the Senators moved within seven points of the idle Bruins (29-22-9, 67 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The teams meet two more times this season, both at Canadian Tire Centre (March 10 and March 19).


* Hammond has been in net for all three games during the team’s winning streak – the first three starts of his NHL career (4 GP). Elias says he is the second goaltender in Senators history to win each of his first three NHL starts (following Mike Brodeur: Dec. 19, 2009 – Jan. 16, 2010), but the first to do so in three consecutive team games.

* Per Elias, Hammond also is the second goaltender in Senators history to register a shutout in one of his first three NHL starts. Brodeur was the first to accomplish that feat, making 32 saves in a 2-0 win on Jan. 14, 2010 at NYR (his second NHL start).

* Erik Condra scored what proved to be the game-winning goal at 10:57 of the first period, his fourth career such marker and first since Dec. 20, 2011 vs. BUF. He also extended his point streak to a career-high five games (2-4—6).

* Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad added their 15th goals of the season. Turris has 5-5—10 in his past seven outings overall, while Zibanejad has 3-1—4 in three career games vs. ANA.

LOOSE PUCKS
Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his League-leading 39th goal of the season and 18th via the power play. He has 23-11—34 in his past 27 games, including 7-5—12 in his last nine outings . . . Devils forward Mike Cammalleri found the back of the net for the fifth time in his past four contests (5-1—6). Cammalleri, who spent the past three seasons with the Flames (89-89—178 in 216 GP), has 8-4—12 in 16 career games vs. CGY . . . Forward Jiri Sekac logged 14:12 of ice-time and posted one shot on goal in his first game since being acquired by the Ducks on Tuesday . . . Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau (Salem, N.J.) played 20:00 and recorded two shots on goal and two penalty minutes in his first NHL game in his home state . . . Troy Brouwer (1-1—2), John Carlson (1-1—2) and Jason Chimera (0-2—2) all registered multi-point games for the Capitals . . . Devils forward Jordin Tootoo collected one assist to extend his point streak to four games (1-3—4), matching a career high set Nov. 23-28, 2009 (0-4—4 w/ NSH) . . . The Kings signed forward Kyle Clifford to a five-year contract extension . . . The NHL fined Sabres goaltender Michal Neuvirth $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment) . . . ICYMI: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby showed off some tricks while wearing a GoPro.

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Vancouver @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., SNP, MSG-B, BELL TV
Arizona @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., FS-A, MSG+
Montreal @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., SNE, RDS, FS-O
Philadelphia @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., TVA, CSN-PH, TSN4
Chicago @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., SNO, SNW, CSN-CH, FS-F
St. Louis @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., FS-MW, TSN3
Minnesota @ Nashville, 8:30 p.m., NBCSN
Ottawa @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., TSN5, RDS, FS-W
Detroit @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., SN360, FS-D, CSN-CA

information above was provided by the NHL PR department

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