Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

02/23/2017 at 7:12am EST

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Edmonton 4, FLORIDA 3
Washington 4, PHILADELPHIA 1
ANAHEIM 5, Boston 3

CAPITALS DEFEAT FLYERS FOR LEAGUE-LEADING 40TH WIN
Evgeny Kuznetsov (2-0—2), Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2) and T.J. Oshie (1-1—2) each found the back of the net as the League-leading Capitals became the first team to reach the 40-win mark in 2016-17.

* Elias notes that Washington (40-12-7, 87 points), who played their 59th game on Wednesday, reached 40 wins in fewer than 60 games for the third time in franchise history. The other such instances came in 2009-10 (58 GP) and 2015-16 (53 GP), when the Capitals became the fastest team – in terms of games played – in NHL history to reach the 40-win milestone.

* Braden Holtby (30-8-5) earned his 30th win of the season and improved to 15-0-2 in his past 17 decisions. Elias notes that Holtby’s current run of consecutive decisions with a point is the third-longest such stretch by a goaltender in Capitals history, behind a 23-decision run by JoseTheodore in 2009-10 (20-0-3) and his own 22-decision stretch 2015-16 (20-0-2).

* Holtby now leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.99) and shutouts (7; tied) and ranks second in save percentage (.927) among goaltenders with at least 25 games played, behind Minnesota’s Devan Dubnyk (.933).

OILERS AND DUCKS KEEP PACE IN PACIFIC
The Oilers (33-20-8, 74 points) and Ducks (32-20-10, 74 points) both earned victories to remain tied – in terms of points – for second place in the Pacific Division and gain ground on the division-leading Sharks (35-18-7, 77 points). Edmonton has one game in hand on Anaheim.

* The Panthers tied the game three times in the second period, but Kris Russell (GWG) scored his first goal in an Oilers uniform midway through the final frame to help Edmonton halt Florida’s win streak at five games. Cam Talbot (31 saves) improved to 31-16-7 this season to move within one win of tying Devan Dubnyk for the League lead. Elias notes that only four other goaltenders in Oilers history have recorded at least 31 wins in a season.

* Anaheim overcame two one-goal deficits before Rickard Rakell (2-0—2) scored a tiebreaking goal with 2:34 remaining in the third period to help the Ducks halt the Bruins’ win streak at four games. Rakell paces Anaheim with 24 goals this season (51 GP) – five shy of matching his total from his first 165 career games before 2016-17.

PENGUINS VISIT HEINZ FIELD AHEAD OF NHL STADIUM SERIES
Penguins forwards Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust joined Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker ArthurMoats rinkside at Heinz Field as excitement builds for the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, which will see the Penguins and Flyers face off outdoors on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, NBC, SN, TVAS 2, NHL.TV).


* The 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series Interactive Information Guide – featuring notes about the Penguins-Flyers rivalry as well as a list of records, a full register and a complete history of outdoor games – now is available for download via the League’s Media site.

LOOSE PUCKS
Capitals forward Justin Williams eclipsed the 400-assist milestone . . . Ducks forward Nicolas Kerdiles, who was born in Lewisville, Texas, skated in his first NHL game . . . Capitals forward Lars Eller skated in his 500th NHL game . . . Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle (0-2—2) registered his 400th career point . . . The Vegas Golden Knights announced they will participate in the NHL’s Hockey Is For Everyone initiative, while the Canadiens invited 270 children to a skating party as part of the month-long celebration . . . Hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree dropped the ceremonial puck as part of the Ducks’ Hockey Is For Everyone night.


SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., SNE, RDS, MSG+
NY Rangers @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, SNO, MSG
Calgary @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., SUN, SNW
Colorado @ Nashville, 8 p.m., SN360, SNP, FS-TN, ALT2
Arizona @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m., NBCSN, CSN-CH
Boston @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., SN, FS-W, NESN

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department

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About Kukla's Korner Hockey

Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.

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