LOOSE PUCKS
The Wild have won 25 of their past 31 games dating to Dec. 4 (25-4-2) . . . Patrick Kane scored his 269th career goal (18th this season) to surpass Tony Amonte into sole possession of sixth place on the Blackhawks’ all-time goals list . . . Marian Hossa reached the 20-goal mark for the 15th time in 19 NHL seasons . . . The Jets and Capitalscontinued initiatives in support of Hockey Is For Everyone month.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ Ottawa, 1 p.m., TSN5, RDS, MSG+
Vancouver @ Boston, 1 p.m., SN, NESN
San Jose @ Philadelphia, 1 p.m., NHLN, CSN-PH, CSN-CA
Carolina @ Dallas, 2 p.m., FS-SW, FS-CR
Florida @ Nashville, 2 p.m., FS-TN, FS-F
Detroit @ Columbus, 5 p.m., FS-O, FS-D
Tampa Bay @ Winnipeg, 7 p.m., SN, SUN
Buffalo @ Toronto, 7 p.m., CBC, MSG-B
St. Louis @ Montreal, 7 p.m., CITY, TVAS, NHLN, FS-MW
Colorado @ NY Rangers, 7 p.m., MSG, ALT2
Anaheim @ Washington, 7:30 p.m., CSN-DC, FS-W
Pittsburgh @ Arizona, 8 p.m., FS-A PLUS, ROOT
Chicago @ Edmonton, 10 p.m., CBC, SN, WGN
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MILESTONES WITHIN REACH ON 13-GAME SATURDAY
A look at career milestones within reach on a 13-game Saturday:

* The Penguins (34-13-6, 74 points) take their five-game point streak (4-0-1) into Arizona to face the Coyotes (17-28-7, 41 points). Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby sits two points shy of becoming the 86th player in NHL history to record 1,000 career points (368-630—998 in 754 GP).

* The Predators (26-20-8, 60 points) welcome the Panthers (23-20-10, 56 points) to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, where the NHL Centennial Fan Arena is set up for the team’s weekend doubleheader. Florida’s JaromirJagr needs two points to become just the second player in NHL history to reach the 1,900-point milestone (758-1,140—1,898 in 1,682 GP).

* The Rangers (35-18-1, 71 points) eye a fifth consecutive victory when they host the Avalanche (15-34-2, 32 points) at Madison Square Garden. New York’s Henrik Lundqvist sits one victory shy of becoming the 12th goaltender in NHL history to reach 400 career wins.

* The League-leading Capitals (38-11-6, 82 points), who are 18-2-1 since New Year’s Eve, pursue a 12th consecutive home win when they host the Ducks (29-17-10, 68 points). Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom, who shares third in the League with 16-41—57 this season, sits one point shy of 700 in his NHL career (181-518—699 in 707 GP).

FOUR-GAME SLATE HIGHLIGHTS HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SCHEDULE
Hockey Night in Canada will feature five games, beginning with a matinee between the Canucks (24-24-6, 54 points) and Bruins (27-23-6, 60 points) that marks the return to Boston for Vancouver forward Loui Eriksson. Coverage resumes with three games at 7 p.m. ET: the Lightning (24-24-7, 55 points) and Jets (25-28-4, 54 points) meet in Winnipeg; the Sabres (22-22-10, 54 points) and Maple Leafs (25-17-11, 61 points) clash in Toronto; and the Blues (28-22-5, 61 points) visit the Canadiens (31-17-8, 70 points) in Montreal. The final contest features Connor McDavid and the Oilers (29-18-8, 66 points), who return from their bye week to host the Blackhawks (34-17-5, 73 points), winners of four straight games.

NHL COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF RED WINGS OWNER MIKE ILITCH
Mike Ilitch, owner of the Red Wings since 1982, passed away Friday at age 87. Members of the hockey community shared their condolences, while NHL Commissioner GaryBettman released the following statement:

“With the passing of Mike Ilitch, the Red Wings have lost the consummate owner, the National Hockey League has lost a cherished friend and passionate builder, Detroit sports has lost a legend and the city of Detroit has lost not only a devoted native son but a visionary and driving force in the rebirth of downtown.

“Mike’s commitment to excellence and to winning were unparalleled and his commitment to the community was unrivaled – as was his boundless support of youth hockey. He was a prolific philanthropist, and, above all, a devoted partner and husband to his wife of 62 years, Marian. At this moment of heartbreaking sorrow, we send deepest condolences to the entire Ilitch family and to all who were privileged to know him, play for him or work for him."

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department