Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

03/23/2015 at 11:01am EDT

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST POWERS RANGERS PAST DUCKS, INTO FIRST PLACE
The Rangers scored a season-high seven goals – including four unanswered – to defeat the Pacific Division-leading Ducks and improve to 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

* At 46-18-7 (99 points), the Rangers leapfrogged the Canadiens (46-20-7, 99 points) and Ducks (46-21-7, 99 points) for first place in the NHL standings, where the top six teams are separated by three points:


* The Rangers have earned at least one point in 19 of their last 21 games dating to Feb. 8 (16-2-3). They also have picked up at least one point in 11 of their past 12 games at Madison Square Garden dating to Jan. 31 (9-1-2).

* The Rangers have allowed two or fewer goals in 10 consecutive games. Elias says it is the first time they have accomplished that feat since Feb. 20 – March 18, 1971 (12 GP).

* Derek Stepan posted 2-1—3 for his seventh career multi-goal game and 13th career three-point performance. Stepan, who had not registered a point since Feb. 22, ranks fourth on the team with 13-33—46 this season (57 GP).

* Keith Yandle (0-3—3) collected his first assists in a Rangers uniform (10 GP), matching career highs for assists/points in one contest. He also reached the 40-assist milestone for the third time in his career and second straight season (5-40—45 in 73 GP).

* Eleven Rangers players recorded at least one point, including multi-point performances from J.T. Miller (1-1—2), Kevin Hayes (0-2—2) and Mats Zuccarello(0-2—2).

* Cam Talbot made 36 saves, including 15 in the third period, to improve to 7-1-1 with a 1.21 goals-against average, .961 save percentage and one shutout in his last nine appearances. He also has earned at least one point in 18 of his last 21 outings dating toFeb. 4 (15-3-3).

* The Rangers improved to 11-1-1 this season against Pacific Division opponents, including a sweep of their two-game series with the Ducks. They also improved to 16-4-5 against the Western Conference, picking up points in nine of their last 10 such games (7-1-2).

LIGHTNING SNAP SKID AGAINST BRUINS TO NARROW ATLANTIC GAP . . .
The Lightning scored three first-period goals – including two in a span of 15 seconds – to overcome an early 1-0 deficit and earn their first win over the Bruins since March 13, 2012, snapping a 10-game skid (0-8-2).

* At 45-21-7 (97 points), the Lightning moved within two points of the idle Canadiens (46-20-7, 99 points) for first place in the Atlantic Division. The teams face off one more time this season, on March 30 at MTL. Tampa Bay has won the first four head-to-head contests and seven of the last eight in the regular season dating to Nov. 12, 2013 (7-0-1).

* The Lightning picked up their third consecutive victory overall and improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine outings. They also improved to 29-7-1 (59 points) this season at Amalie Arena, including wins in seven of their last eight such games; their 29 home wins and 59 home points pace the NHL.

* J.T. Brown and Anton Stralman scored 15 seconds apart to break a 1-1 tie. Via Elias, it marked the fastest two goals by the Lightning since Jan. 14, 2014, when Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov recorded goals nine seconds apart in a 2-1 win at NYR.

* Brown added one assist for his third career multi-point game and second of the season (also Nov. 8 at CBJ: 1-1—2). Vladislav Namestnikov (1-1—2), Ondrej Palat(1-1—2) and Matthew Carle (0-2—2) also notched multiple points.

* Ben Bishop made 25 saves to extend his personal point streak to six games (5-0-1). He improved to 36-11-4 overall (2.31 GAA, .916 SV%, 3 SO); his 36 wins are one shy of his career high and rank third in the NHL this season.

* Jason Garrison scored what proved to be the game-winning goal, the 12th such marker of his career and third this season (also Oct. 30 vs. PHI and Nov. 1 vs. WSH).

* DID YOU KNOW?: The Lightning have won 11 consecutive home games – all in regulation – against divisional opponents, including victories over the Canadiens (4-2on Monday) and Red Wings (3-1 on Friday) in the past week. Elias says they are the first team to accomplish that feat – with only regulation wins – since 1984-85, when the Flyers reeled off 13 consecutive home wins against Patrick Division opponents.

. . . RED WINGS KEEP PACE WITH OVERTIME WIN
Justin Abdelkader posted the primary assist on the tying goal early in the third period and scored the decisive marker 24 seconds into overtime to help the Red Wings snap a two-game skid and improve to 9-3-2 in their last 14 contests at Joe Louis Arena.

* At 39-21-11 (89 points), the Red Wings kept pace with the Lightning (45-21-7, 97 points) in the Atlantic Division. They also moved five points ahead of the Bruins (36-25-12, 84 points) – who lost in regulation – for third place in the division.


* Erik Cole scored the team’s other goal, his third in his past five contests. He has 3-3—6 in 10 games since joining the Red Wings and 21-18—39 overall this season (67 GP).

* Jimmy Howard stopped 23 shots to halt a three-game personal skid and improve to 21-12-9 in 47 appearances this season (2.34 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO).

* The Red Wings picked up their third consecutive victory over the Blues dating to April 13, 2014, and defeated St. Louis at home for the first time since Feb. 1, 2013 (0-2-1).

EDLER’S LATE GOAL HELPS CANUCKS CREATE BREATHING ROOM IN PACIFIC
Alexander Edler scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:13 remaining in regulation to lift the Canucks to their second win in as many days and sixth victory in their past eight outings.

* At 42-26-4 (88 points), the Canucks moved four points ahead of the idle Flames (39-27-6, 84 points) for second place in the Pacific Division, where teams No. 2-5 are separated by 10 points:


* Edler recorded his third career game-winning goal and first since Nov. 6, 2010 vs. DET. He paces Canucks defensemen with 7-14—21 this season (64 GP).

* Yannick Weber notched 1-1—2 for his third multi-point performance of the season.Daniel Sedin (0-2—2) and Radim Vrbata (0-2—2) also posted multiple points; Sedin leads the club with 16-48—64 (72 GP), while Vrbata ranks third with 27-26—53 (69 GP).

* Making his second start of the season, Jacob Markstrom denied 26 shots to pick up his first win since April 13, 2014 vs. CGY (21 SV). He has 13 victories in 50 career NHL appearances (3.19 GAA, .896 SV%).

* The Canucks earned their first win at Gila River Arena since March 21, 2013, halting a four-game skid (0-2-2). They improved to 2-1-1 against the Coyotes this season; the teams meet for a fifth and final time on April 9 at VAN.

LOOSE PUCKS
Despite suffering the overtime loss, the Blues (45-21-7, 97 points) moved one point ahead of the idle Predators (44-21-8, 96 points) for first place in the Central Division. They also picked up at least one point for the 15th time in their past 18 road games dating to Jan. 3 (12-3-3) . . . Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career (20-16—36 in 73 GP). Elias says he is the first defenseman in Coyotes/Jets history to hit the mark since both Phil Housley(23) and Fredrik Olausson (20) did so during the 1991-92 season . . . Ekman-Larsson (Karlskrona, Sweden) also tied the NHL record for most goals in one season by a Swedish-born defenseman. Olausson (1991-92), Nicklas Lidstrom (1999-00) and Erik Karlsson (2013-14) also have achieved the feat . . . Ducks forward Corey Perry (2-0—2) recorded his seventh multi-goal game of the season to reach the 30-goal milestone for the fifth time in his career (31-19—50 in 59 GP). Per Elias, only two players have posted more 30-goal seasons in Ducks history: Teemu Selanne (7) and Paul Kariya(6) . . . Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron scored 33 seconds after the opening face-off, his second goal in as many days . . . Forward Alexander Steen scored his 23rd goal of the season to become the 18th player in Blues history to record 300 points with the team (129-171—300 in 423 GP) . . . Celebrating his 33rd birthday, Coyotes goaltenderMike Smith made 41 saves . . . Red Wings defenseman Kyle Quincey registered his 100th NHL assist . . . Canucks forward Derek Dorsett played in his 400th NHL game . . . ICYMI: The Department of Player Safety fined Predators forward Craig Smith $5,000for high-sticking Sabres forward Jerry D’Amigo . . . The NCAA announced the 16 teams that will participate in its Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Championship, which beginson Friday.

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Los Angeles @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., NHLN-US, SNE, SNO, SNP, FS-W, MSG+
Chicago @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., CSN-CH, FS-CR
Minnesota @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., FS-N, FS-WI, TSN4
San Jose @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., CSN-CA, TSN5, RDS
Buffalo @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, FS-SW
Colorado @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., TVA, ALT, SNW
Winnipeg @ Edmonton, 9:30 p.m., TSN3, SNOL
NBCSN Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

PLAYOFF HOPEFULS HIGHLIGHT MONDAY’S SCHEDULE
Several clubs battling for playoff spots take center stage on Monday’s schedule:

* The Kings (34-23-14, 82 points) – who sit two points behind the Flames for third place in the Pacific Division and four points back of the Jets for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference – visit the Devils (31-30-11, 73 points) at Prudential Center. Los Angeles has lost three of its past four games (1-2-1), while New Jersey is 3-1-1 in its last five. This marks the second and final matchup of the season between these clubs; the Devils have taken two of their three meetings since the 2012 Stanley Cup Final, which the Kings won in six games.

* Wild Card hopefuls in opposite conference face off when the Senators (36-24-11, 83 points) meet the Sharks (35-29-8, 78 points) at Canadian Tire Centre. Ottawa has won six straight and has picked up at least one point in 15 of its past 16 outings (14-1-1) to move within one point of Boston for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. San Jose, meanwhile, has dropped three of its last four games, but remains six points behind Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division and eight points shy of Winnipeg for the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

* Two teams jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference drop the puck when the Flames (39-27-6, 84 points) play host to the Avalanche (33-26-12, 78 points) at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary, who currently sits in third place in the Pacific Division, is 6-2-2 in its last 10 games, but has dropped three of its past four (1-2-1). Colorado, who is eight points behind Winnipeg for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, has picked up at least one point in seven of its last eight outings (6-1-1), including a 3-2 victory over the Flames on March 14.

A LOOK AHEAD
More games with playoff implications this week:

Tuesday, March 24
Minnesota @ NY Islanders
Los Angeles @ NY Rangers (NBCSN)
St. Louis @ Pittsburgh (TVA)
Florida @ Tampa Bay
Montreal @ Nashville
Winnipeg @ Vancouver

Wednesday, March 25
Chicago @ Philadelphia (NBCSN, TVA)
Dallas @ Calgary (SN1)

Thursday, March 26
Anaheim @ Boston (NHLN-US, TVA)
Los Angeles @ NY Islanders (SN360)
NY Rangers @ Ottawa
San Jose @ Detroit
Nashville @ Tampa Bay
Montreal @ Winnipeg
Colorado @ Vancouver

Friday, March 27
Calgary @ Minnesota

Saturday, March 28
Nashville @ Washington
NY Rangers @ Boston (NHLN-US)
Anaheim @ NY Islanders
San Jose @ Philadelphia
Tampa Bay @ Detroit (SN360)
Florida @ Montreal (HNIC, TVA)
Los Angeles @ Minnesota (NHLN-US, HNIC)
Dallas @ Vancouver (HNIC)

Sunday, March 29
Washington @ NY Rangers (NHLN-US, TVA)
Florida @ Ottawa
Detroit @ NY Islanders
Calgary @ Nashville
San Jose @ Pittsburgh (NBCSN)
Chicago @ Winnipeg (CITY)

the above information was provided by the NHL PR department

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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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