METROPOLITAN DIVISION CLUBS PICK UP VICTORIES
The Penguins and Capitals each earned wins as both clubs improved to 11-4-2 (24 points) this season, trailing only the Rangers (13-5-0, 26 points) for top spot in the Metropolitan Division:

* Kris Letang scored at 1:24 of overtime as the Penguins improved to 4-1-1 in their last six road games. Letang scored his fourth career regular-season overtime goal to pass Sergei Gonchar (3) for the most by a defenseman in franchise history. Matt Murray (20 saves) improved to 5-1-0 this season (1.68 GAA, .945 SV%, 1 SO).

* Braden Holtby denied all 25 shots he faced and Jay Beagle scored the only goal of the contest with 5:11 left in the third period as the Capitals improved to 6-2-0 at Verizon Center. Holtby picked his third consecutive victory and improved to 9-3-1 overall (1.91 GAA, .930, 1 SO). Elias adds that Holtby became the first Capitals goaltender to record a shutout vs. DET since Bob Mason on Dec. 9, 1984 (4-0 W).

HOSSA LIFTS BLACKHAWKS OVER FLAMES
Marian Hossa redirected the puck into the net with 2:23 left in the third period to lead the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory. Chicago improved to 10-1-2 in their last 13 outings and 12-4-2 (26 points) overall, tops in the Central Division.

* Corey Crawford (28 saves) improved to 8-1-1 in his last 10 games on the heels of a 1-3-1 start to the season.

* The Blackhawks improved to 10-0-5 in their last 15 games vs. CGY dating to Feb. 2, 2013 (CGY: 5-9-1).

LOOSE PUCKS
Down 1-0 through 40 minutes, the Hurricanes scored three consecutive goals in a span of 5:50 to rally past the NHL-leading Canadiens and pick up their third straight win . . . Rangers forward Michael Grabner (1-0—1) and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (1-1—2) rank tied for second in the NHL with 11 goals this season . . . Crosby has collected 31-67—98 in 56 career regular-season games vs. NYI (1.75 PPG) . . . Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov (0-2—2) extended his point streak to seven games (2-8—10) . . . Former Boston Pride player Denna Laing was honored with the Dana Reeve Hope Award . . . Nine-year-old Wyatt Maksin from the Barth Syndrome Foundation dropped the ceremonial puck at Barclays Center.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ Philadelphia, 1 p.m., SN, CSN-PH, SUN
New Jersey @ Los Angeles, 4 p.m., FS-W, MSG+
Edmonton @ Dallas, 7 p.m., CITY, FS-SW+
Winnipeg @ Boston, 7 p.m., SN, NESN
Pittsburgh @ Buffalo, 7 p.m., MSG-B, ROOT
Toronto @ Montreal, 7 p.m., CBC, TVAS, NHLN-US
Florida @ Ottawa, 7 p.m., SN1, TVAS2, FS-F
San Jose @ Arizona, 8 p.m., FS-A, CSN-CA
Nashville @ St. Louis, 8 p.m., FS-MW, FS-TN
Colorado @ Minnesota, 8 p.m., FS-N+, ALT
Chicago @ Vancouver, 10 p.m., CBC, SN, CSN-CH
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FIVE-GAME DOCKET SET FOR HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Hockey Night in Canada features five games on Saturday. Beginning at 7 p.m., the Oilers look to snap a five-game slide (0-5-0) when they visit the Stars on CITY while rookie scoring leader Patrik Laine (12-5—17) and the Jets face the Bruins on SN. Also at 7 p.m., defenseman Erik Karlsson (103-296—399) will look to reach the 400-point milestone when the Senators host the Panthers on SN1/TVAS2 and the Canadiens aim to extend their winning streak versus the Maple Leafs to 12 consecutive games on CBC/TVAS. At 10 p.m., the Central Division-leading Blackhawks continue their Western Canada road trip when they visit the Canucks on CBC/SN.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.