DUCKS, OILERS AND KINGS KEEP PACE IN CROWDED PACIFIC DIVISION
The Ducks (23-13-8, 54 points), Oilers (22-15-7, 51 points) and Kings (21-17-4, 46 points) all earned wins to keep pace in the crowded Pacific Division, where only 10 points separate the top six teams:

* Rickard Rakell (1-1—2) and Ryan Kesler each scored their team-leading 17th goals to propel the Ducks to a 6-1-3 record in their past 10 games and into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division. Rakell also shares the team lead with four game-winning goals, while Kesler paces the club with 17-19—36.

* Leon Draisaitl (1-2—3) assisted on both Oilers goals in regulation before scoring his second career overtime goal – off a feed from Connor McDavid (0-2—2) – as Edmonton rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits. McDavid, who celebrates his 20th birthday today (Friday), became the first player to reach the 50-point mark this season (14-36—50 in 44 GP) and also moved within two of 100 NHL points (30-68—98 in 89 GP).

* Jake Muzzin and Tanner Pearson each scored twice to help the Kings maintain their hold on the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Pearson ranks second on the club with 13 goals this season (40 GP), two shy of his career high set last season (15 in 79 GP).

GIROUX CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH DECISIVE TALLY IN COMEBACK WIN
Captain Claude Giroux notched an assist on the Flyers’ tying goal in the third period before scoring the lone shootout marker to celebrate his 29th birthday with a Flyers victory. Elias notes that the Flyers overcame three separate deficits to win at home for the first time since March 6, 2007 vs. NJD (5-4 OT W).

LOOSE PUCKS
Ben Bishop made 24 saves in his return from a nine-game absence and Ondrej Palat had 2-1—3 to help the Lightning snap a four-game slide . . . Predators forward Filip Forsberg and Stars defenseman John Klingberg each scored the game-winning goal to help their respective clubs keep pace in the Western Conference Wild Card race . . . Erik Karlsson and Derick Brassard each had 0-2—2 in the Senators’ win . . . The Oilers honored Devils forward Taylor Hall (0-1—1) in his return to Edmonton . . . Avalanche forward Blake Comeau (600), Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (500) and Predators forward Craig Smith (400) each played in milestone games . . . ICYMI: Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk pranked teammate Ryan Murphy by filling his SUV with packing peanuts . . . The NHL Centennial Fan Arenabegan its three-day stay at Victory Plazaoutside American Airlines Center in Dallas.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Toronto @ NY Rangers, 7 p.m., MSG, TSN4
Chicago @ Washington, 7 p.m., NHLN, CSN-DC, CSN-CH
NY Islanders @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, MSG+
Buffalo @ Carolina, 7:30 p.m., FS-CR, MSG-B
Columbus @ Tampa Bay, 8 p.m., TVAS, SN, SUN, FS-O
New Jersey @ Calgary, 9 p.m., SNW, MSG+ 2
Winnipeg @ Arizona, 9 p.m., FS-A, TSN3
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ST. LOUIS TO BECOME FIRST LIGHTNING PLAYER TO HAVE JERSEY RETIRED
The Lightning will retire Martin St. Louis’ No. 26 prior to tonight’s game against the League-leading Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena. St. Louis, who signed as a free agent prior to the 2000-01 season, played 972 regular-season games with Tampa Bay and was a key member of the club’s Stanley Cup-winning team in 2004. He remains the franchise leader in assists (588), points (953), game-winning goals (64) and shorthanded goals (28), while also holding club playoff records for goals (33), assists (35), points (68) and game-winning goals (8).

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department