* Five different players accounted for the Sharks’ goals: Logan Couture (1-1—2),Scott Hannan, Patrick Marleau, John Scott and Chris Tierney.
* Couture extended his point streak to four games (3-3—6). He ranks second on the team with 26-38—64 this season (77 GP), one point shy of his career high established in 2011-12 (31-34—65 in 80 GP).
* Brent Burns added a pair of helpers to stretch his assist/point streak to five games (0-6—6). He ranks second among defensemen with 16-42—58 this season; his 42 assists and 58 points both are career highs.
* Alex Stalock turned aside 19 shots to improve to 8-7-2 this season, including a 3-0-1 mark in his past four decisions.
* All 18 Sharks skaters logged a rating of +1 or higher.
FLYERS CONTINUE DOMINATION IN BATTLE OF PENNSYLVANIA
The Flyers scored four unanswered goals to win their seventh consecutive game against the Penguins dating to Nov. 13, 2013, and improve to 11-1-1 in their last 13regular-season visits to their intrastate rivals dating to Oct. 7, 2010 (when CONSOL Energy Center opened).
* Overall, the Flyers snapped a nine-game road skid (0-5-4) with their first win as visitors since Feb. 15 at BUF.
* Brayden Schenn (2-0—2) recorded his ninth career multi-goal game, including his fourth of the season (also Nov. 15 at MTL: 2-0—2, Dec. 9 at CBJ: 2-0—2 and March 14 vs. DET: 2-1—3).
* Jakub Voracek posted one helper to extend his assist/point streak to five games (0-8—8). He paces the NHL with 56 assists this season and is tied for second with 77 points – both career highs.
* Carlo Colaiacovo snapped a 38-game drought with his first goal since March 9, 2014 at MIN (w/ STL). Vincent Lecavalier also snapped a 27-game drought with his first goal since Jan. 3 at NJD.
* Steve Mason made 24 saves to pick up his second road win of the season (14-5-5 at home, 2-12-6 on the road). He also improved to 5-2-1 in nine career appearances vs. PIT (2.35 GAA, .923 SV%, 1 SO).
DID YOU KNOW?
Penguins captain Sidney Crosby scored his 300th career goal, reaching the milestone in his 622nd NHL game (300-549—849).
* Crosby became the fifth player in Penguins history to record at least 300 goals with the club, joining Mario Lemieux (690), Jaromir Jagr (439), Jean Pronovost (316) and Rick Kehoe (312).
* Crosby, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2005 NHL Draft, also became the first player from his draft class to reach the milestone. Kings forward Anze Kopitar, the No. 11 overall pick in 2005, ranks second with 218. Crosby’s 849 career points also pace all players from the 2005 NHL Draft; Kopitar follows with 606.
* Elias says Crosby became the seventh player to score at least 300 goals since he made his NHL debut in 2005-06. The others: Alex Ovechkin (472), Jarome Iginla(336), Rick Nash (318), Ilya Kovalchuk (309), Patrick Marleau (301) and Eric Staal(300). However, Crosby’s average of one goal every 2.07 games ranks third in that span, behind Kovalchuk (1.91) and Ovechkin (1.60).
* Crosby has 31-45—76 in 51 career regular-season games vs. PHI; that is the most points by any player against the Flyers since 2005-06. Crosby’s 31 career goals versus Philadelphia are his most against any opponent.
* Crosby continues to pace the NHL with 26-54—80 (72 GP) this season. He is looking to become the first repeat scoring champion since Jaromir Jagr (4x, 1997-98 through 2000-01, also w/ PIT).
SABRES RALLY PAST MAPLE LEAFS
Down 3-1 midway through the second period, the Sabres scored three unanswered goals to improve to 15-1-1 in their last 17 home games against the Maple Leafs dating to Feb. 4, 2009.
* The home team has won 19 of the last 21 meetings between the Sabres and Maple Leafs dating to March 12, 2011, including 11 straight (BUF: 8-0-1, TOR: 11-1-0).
* Matt Ellis (1-1—2) registered his fourth career multi-point game and first since March 31, 2010 vs. FLA (0-2—2). He also snapped a 33-game drought with his first goal since April 13, 2014 vs. NYI, which stood as the game-winner (the sixth of his career).
* Zac Dalpe also scored his first goal of the season, snapping a 24-game drought dating to March 6, 2014 at DAL (w/ VAN).
* Brian Gionta added a pair of assists. Cody Hodgson and Matt Moulson provided the other goals; Moulson has 16-8—24 in 24 career games vs. TOR, including 3-4—7 in four contests this season.
LOOSE PUCKS
Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk scored his team-leading 25th goal of the season, five shy of his career high established in 2013-14 . . . Teammates Tyler Bozakand Phil Kessel both collected two assists . . . Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkinsposted his team-leading 24th goal of the season. He also matched a career high with his 56th point, including 8-9—17 in his past 12 outings . . . Avalanche forward Matt Duchene reached the 20-goal milestone for the fourth time in his career (and second straight season) . . . The Department of Player Safety announced that it will have a hearing today with Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien for his cross-check against Rangers forward J.T. Miller
THURSDAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
With 10 days remaining in the regular season, 11 berths in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs remain up for grabs.
Today’s clinching scenarios:
* The Blues would clinch a playoff berth if they get at least one point against the FlamesOR if the Kings lose to the Oilers in regulation.
* The Blackhawks would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Canucks in any fashionOR if they get one point AND both the Flames and Kings lose in any fashion OR either the Flames or Kings lose in regulation. The Blackhawks CANNOT clinch a playoff berth if they lose in regulation.
* The Rangers would clinch the Metropolitan Division if they defeat the Wild in any fashion.
SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., MSG+, FS-O
Washington @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., CSN-DC, SNE, RDS
Tampa Bay @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., SUN, TSN5, RDS2
Boston @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN360, TVA, NESN, FS-D
Carolina @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-CR, FS-F
Calgary @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., SNW, FS-MW
NY Rangers @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., MSG, FS-N, FS-WI
Vancouver @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m., SNP, CSN-CH
Edmonton @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., SNW, FS-W
NBCSN Channel Finder
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CAPITALS VISIT CANADIENS IN POTENTIAL PLAYOFF PREVIEW
The Capitals (42-25-10, 94 points) – who currently occupy the first Wild Card spot in the East – visit the conference-leading Canadiens (47-22-8, 102 points) at Bell Centre in a potential First Round playoff preview. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these teams; Montreal has won each of the first two, both in extra time, picking up a 2-1 shootout victory on Oct. 9 and a 1-0 overtime triumph on Jan. 31. Overall, Washington has won six of its last eight outings, while Montreal has gone 4-2-1 in its past seven. These clubs have not faced each other in the postseason since the 2010 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, when the No. 8 Canadiens eliminated the No. 1 Capitals in seven games.
RACE TO THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CONTINUES
Several other games on Thursday’s schedule showcase the race to the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs:
* The Senators (38-26-12, 88 points) – who trail the Bruins (39-25-13, 91 points) by three points for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference – continue their playoff push when they play host to the Lightning (47-24-7, 101 points) at Canadian Tire Centre. This marks the fourth and final meeting of the season between these Atlantic Division rivals; Tampa Bay has won two of the first three, including a 4-2 victory in their most recent matchup on Jan. 4. Overall, the Senators are coming off a 2-1 shootout win against the Red Wings on Tuesday, while the Lightning fell to the Maple Leafs 3-1 in their most recent outing. A win could propel Tampa Bay into first place in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference.
* The Bruins (39-25-13, 91 points) try to maintain their playoff positioning when they visit the Red Wings (40-23-13, 93 points) at Joe Louis Arena. This marks the fifth and final meeting of the season between these Original Six rivals; Boston has won each of the past three contests, including a 5-3 victory on March 8 in their most recent matchup. A regulation win would vault the Bruins into a tie – in terms of points – with the Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division; Detroit, however, holds one game in hand. Overall, Boston has collected points in six of its past eight contests (3-2-3), including three straight victories. Detroit, meanwhile, has dropped four of its last five outings (1-2-2).
* Both the Flames (42-28-7, 91 points) and Blues (46-23-7, 99 points) look to improve their playoff standings when they meet at Scottrade Center. Calgary currently holds a three-point lead over Los Angeles (37-25-14, 88 points) for third place in the Pacific Division, while St. Louis has a one-point edge over Chicago (46-24-6, 98 points) for second place in the Central. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these teams; the Blues have won the first two and five of the last six in the head-to-head series dating to April 25, 2013. Overall, Calgary has picked up points in six of its past seven games (4-1-2), while St. Louis has lost five of its last six (1-3-2).
* The Wild (44-25-7, 95 points) try to climb the Central Division standings when they welcome the Rangers (48-21-7, 103 points) to Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota currently trails Chicago (46-24-6, 98 points) by three points for third place in the division, but has posted an NHL-best 49 points (24-5-1) in its 30 games since the All-Star break. New York, meanwhile, can lock up the Metropolitan Division title with a win in any fashion. The Rangers have taken three of the last four meetings between these teams dating to March 27, 2012, including their lone other matchup of the season. Overall, Minnesota has won five straight, while New York snapped a two-game skid with a 3-2 victory over Winnipeg on Tuesday.
* The Blackhawks (46-24-6, 98 points) also look to climb the Central Division ladder when they face off against the Canucks (45-27-5, 95 points) at United Center. Chicago currently trails St. Louis (46-23-7, 99 points) by one point for second place in the division and home-ice advantage in the First Round of the playoffs. Vancouver, meanwhile, holds a four-point edge over Calgary (42-28-7, 91 points) for second place in the Pacific. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these clubs; the Canucks have won the first two and are 6-2-2 in the head-to-head series dating to Jan. 31, 2012. Overall, the Blackhawks have won two straight following a 1-3-0 stretch, while the Canucks are 5-1-1 in their last seven.
the above information was provided by the NHL PR department
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