* The Sharks held a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes. They have outscored their opponents by a 42-14 margin (+28) in the first period this season.

* The Sharks improved to 11-1-3 this season at SAP Center, including a 6-0-1 mark in their past seven contests. They also improved to 12-1-1 in their last 14 home games versus the Wild.

DUCHENE KEEPS AVALANCHE ROLLING
Matt Duchene (2-1—3) posted his second three-point game of the season and added the shootout winner to help the Avalanche overcome an early two-goal deficit. Duchene has recorded 14 career games with three or more points, eight of which have come over the past two seasons.

* At 21-9-0, the Avalanche have matched their franchise record for wins through the first 30 games of a season (also, 1994-95 and 2000-01).

* The team also improved to 11-4-0 (22 points) as visitors, its best record through 15 road games in club history.

* The Avalanche are the only team that has yet to suffer an overtime/shootout loss this season (5-0, including two wins via the shootout).

SCHWARTZ HELPS BLUES STAY HOT AT HOME
Jaden Schwartz (1-2—3) recorded his second career three-point game and Brian Elliott made 19 saves to help the Blues improve to 13-2-2 at Scottrade Center, tied for the most home-ice victories in the NHL this season (with the Bruins, Penguins and Wild).

* Schwartz has 8-14—22 in 30 games this season, all career highs, including 5-7—12 over his past 11 contests.

* Alexander Steen posted 1-1—2, moving back into sole possession of second place in the NHL with his 22nd goal of the season. Steen has 35 points in 30 games, his highest point total since 2010-11 (20-31—51 in 72 GP). His single-season high in goals was set in 2009-10, when he found the back of the net 24 times in 68 outings.

* Captain David Backes scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season. He has 29 points in 30 games, surpassing his total from the entire 2012-13 campaign (6-22—28 in 48 GP).

* The Blues improved to 33-9-5 versus the Eastern Conference since the start of the 2010-11 season, the League’s best inter-conference record. That includes a six-game winning streak at home and 18-3-3 mark overall at Scottrade Center.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN
* Blue Jackets forward Artem Anisimov scored in his first visit to Madison Square Garden since being traded by the Rangers in July 2012. Anisimov played the first four seasons of his NHL career for the Rangers, posting 46-62—108 in 244 regular-season games and 4-7—11 in 26 postseason contests.

* Teammate Brandon Dubinsky also made his return to Madison Square Garden, logging 14:47 of ice-time, two shots on goal and four penalty minutes. Dubinsky spent the first six seasons of his NHL career with the Rangers, compiling 81-132—213 in 393 regular-season games and 7-10—17 in 31 playoff appearances.

* Canadiens forward Daniel Briere recorded three shots on goal in 14:13 of ice-time in his first visit to Philadelphia since being bought out by the team over the summer. Briere played the past six seasons for the Flyers, totaling 124-129—283 in 364 regular-season games and 37-35—72 in 68 postseason contests.

* Oilers captain Andrew Ference posted one shot on goal and a +1 rating in his first game against the Bruins since leaving the team as a free agent this summer. Ference spent the past seven seasons in Boston, compiling 16-78—94 and 278 penalty minutes in 373 regular-season games. He also totaled 5-16—21 in 69 playoff appearances, helping the team capture the Stanley Cup in 2011.

LOOSE PUCKS
Chris Butler scored the winning goal with 3.6 seconds remaining in overtime to help the Flames improve to 8-2-1 in their past 11 home games versus the Hurricanes . . . Rob Klinkhammer (2-1—3) and Mike Ribeiro (1-2—3) each recorded three points to lead the Coyotes to their first win on home ice since Nov. 16 . . . Senators forward Bobby Ryan (1-1—2) posted his 10th multi-point game of the season. The Senators are 7-0-3 when he tallies two or more points, versus 6-14-3 when he fails to do so (Elias) . . . Jarome Iginla recorded his 95th career multi-goal game, and first since being traded by the Flames last season, to help the Bruins win their 11th consecutive game versus the Oilers . . . Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop made 28 saves, plus another six in the shootout, to improve to 11-2-0 with a 1.90 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and one shutout in 13 home games this season . . . The Predators improved to 13-0-1 when recording three or more goals this season . . . Blue Jackets forward Ryan Johansen scored to stretch his point streak to a career-long seven games (3-6—9) . . . Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette posted an assist to extend his point streak to five games (3-3—6) . . . Senators defenseman Joe Corvo played in his 700th NHL game . . . Islanders forward Frans Nielsen skated in his 400th career game . . . Hurricanes forward Patrick Dwyer, Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson and Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger each played in their 300th NHL games . . . Flames forward Mikael Backlund skated in his 200th career game.