BOBROVSKY POSTS THIRD STRAIGHT SHUTOUT, COLUMBUS NEARS RECORDS
Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves to earn his third consecutive shutout and propel Columbus to a 7-2-1 record in its last 10 games, a stretch that has seen them outscore opponents 30-13.

* At 42-17-6 (90 points), the Blue Jackets moved within one win and three points of equaling single-season franchise records established in 2013-14 (43-32-7, 93 points). They sit in second place in the Metropolitan Division, five points back of the Capitals (44-14-7, 95 points) and two points ahead of the Penguins (40-16-8, 88 points) and Rangers (43-22-2, 88 points).

* Bobrovsky registered three straight shutouts for the first time in his career to extend his personal shutout streak to 179:29, the second-longest run by a goaltender in franchise history (Steve Mason: 199:19 from Dec. 23, 2008 – Jan. 2, 2009). He shares third in the NHL with a career-high six shutouts this season.

* Cam Atkinson reached the 30-goal mark for the first time in his career. Atkinson (116), who became the seventh different Blue Jackets player to reach 30-goal milestone, sits four goals shy of tying R.J. Umberger (120) for second place in franchise history.

MOVEMENT IN THE EASTERN CONFERENCE
The tight race for Wild Card spots continued in the Eastern Conference, where positions 7-12 are separated by only five points:

* Joshua Ho-Sang scored his first career NHL goal and Anders Lee (2-0—2) tied a career high with his 25th tally as the Islanders improved to 4-2-1 on their season-high nine-game road trip. With the win, New York (31-23-11, 73 points) maintained possession of the second Wild Card position, one point ahead of Toronto (29-22-14, 72 points).

* Nazem Kadri scored his sixth game-winning goal of the season and Alexey Marchenko netted his first goal with Toronto (against his former club) as the Maple Leafs snapped a five-game slide to keep pace with the Islanders.

* Six different Flyers scored and Radko Gudas (1-2—3) recorded a season-high three points as Philadelphia (31-26-8, 70 points) improved to 3-0-1 in its last four games to remain three points behind New York and two back of Toronto.

OTHER TEAMS IMPROVE PLAYOFF STANDING
Several other clubs picked up wins to strengthen their holds on playoff positions:

* Paul Byron scored his second career overtime goal (266 GP) and Carey Price (27 saves) reached the 30-win plateau for the fourth time in his career to help the Canadiens extend their winning streak to six games. Montreal (38-21-8, 84 points) increased their lead atop the Atlantic Division to six points. Per Elias, Price joins Ken Dryden (7), Jacques Plante (7) and Patrick Roy (5) as the only Canadiens goaltenders with four or more 30-win seasons.

* Vladimir Tarasenko netted his sixth game-winner of the season to help the Blues (33-27-5, 71 points) – who have allowed only one goal over two consecutive victories on the heels of a five-game skid – open up a three point lead over Los Angeles (31-28-6, 68 points) as they hold the second Western Conference Wild Card spot.

* Ryan Getzlaf recorded 1-2—3 and Patrick Eaves scored the lone goal in the shootout as the Ducks (34-22-10, 78 points) moved into a tie – in terms of points – with the Oilers (35-23-8, 78 points) for second place in the Pacific Division. Getzlaf (12-40—52 in 59 GP) hit the 40-assist mark for a franchise-best ninth time in his career.

LOOSE PUCKS
Mitchell Marner (15-37—52) recorded two assists to extend his lead among rookies to seven . . . Jack Eichel (2-1—3) extended his career-high point streak to 11 games (5-11—16) while eclipsing 100 career points (42-59—101 in 127 GP) . . . Henrik Zetterberg (1-11—12 in 7 GP), Alex Galchenyuk (3-5—8 in 6 GP) . . . Ryan O'Reilly (3-4—7 in 5 GP) and Jaccob Slavin (0-5—5 in 5 GP) also extended point streaks . . . Blue Jackets forward T.J. Tynan made his NHL debut . . . Forward Olli Jokinen rejoined the Panthers to announce his retirement from the NHL.

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ Dallas, 8 p.m., SN360, FS-SW, RDS
Pittsburgh @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m., SN, ROOT
Detroit @ Boston, 8 p.m., TVAS, NBCSN
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EASTERN PLAYOFF RACES TAKES OVER WEDNESDAY NIGHT
The Penguins (40-16-8, 88 points), Senators (36-22-6, 78 points) and Bruins (34-26-6, 74 points) each look to record crucial victories in a crowded Eastern Conference:

* The Penguins, who currently sit two points behind the Blue Jackets (42-17-6, 90 points) for second place in the Metropolitan Division, visit the Jets (30-31-6, 66 points), who are five points out of a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

* The Senators, who sit six points back of the Canadiens (38-21-8, 84 points) for the top spot in the Atlantic Division, look to extend their three-game winning streak when they face off against the Stars (27-29-10, 64 points).

* The Bruins, third in the Atlantic Division, look to make up ground on the Senators when they host the Red Wings (25-28-11, 61 points) at TD Garden in a game that will be broadcast nationally in the U.S. on NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Rivalry.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.