BLUE JACKETS SET FRANCHISE RECORDS WITH WIN
Zach Werenski (1-1—2) scored the first of three unanswered goals by Columbus and BrandonDubinsky netted the winning goal in the third period to help the Blue Jackets (44-18-6, 94 points) establish franchise records for wins and points in a season.

* Columbus moved within one point of two Metropolitan Division rivals – the Capitals (44-17-7, 95 points) and Penguins (43-16-9, 95 points) – for the top spot in the League.

* Sergei Bobrovsky (23 saves) earned his fifth straight victory and League-leading 37th win of the season, while Cam Atkinson scored his 31st and 32nd goals of 2016-17 to extend career highs for goals and points (32-27—59).

CLUBS EARN KEY WINS IN PLAYOFF PUSH . . .
The Bruins, Lightning, Predators and Blues all earned victories to gain valuable points in their respective playoff races.

* Brad Marchand (3-1—4) recorded a hat trick in the third period – including a highlight-reel game-winner – to lead the Bruins to their 11th win in their past 14 games. At 36-26-6 (80 points), Boston moved within four points of Ottawa (39-22-6, 84 points) for the second spot in the Atlantic Division. Marchand’s second NHL hat trick propelled him into ties with Sidney Crosby for first in the League in goals (35) and second in points (74) behind Connor McDavid (23-52—75).

* Brayden Point (2-0—2) celebrated his 21st birthday by recording the first multi-goal game and game-winning goal of his career as Tampa Bay (33-26-9, 75 points) improved to 6-1-1 in its last eight games. The Lightning moved within a point of the idle Maple Leafs (31-22-14, 76 points) for the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference.

* Five different Predators scored – including James Neal who netted the overtime winner – as Nashville (34-24-11, 79 points) maintained a two-point lead over St. Louis (36-27-5, 77 points) for the third position in the Central Division. Neal (20-17—37) has hit the 20-goal plateau in each of his nine NHL seasons.

* Jake Allen made 38 saves to power the Blues to their fifth straight victory as St. Louis increased their lead for the final Western Conference Wild Card spot to five points over the Kings (33-29-6, 72 points). Allen has won each of his last four starts and tied his career-high of 26, set in 2015-16.

. . . HURRICANES STORM INTO BROOKLYN AS SPOILERS
Jaccob Slavin (3-1—4) recorded his first career hat trick and four-point game as the Hurricanes (28-27-11, 67 points) stalled the Islanders’ (32-25-11, 75 points) playoff push and halted New York’s home point streak at 11 games (9-0-2).

* Per Elias, Slavin – who entered the contest with 4-40—44 in 128 career games – became the first Hurricanes defenseman to record a hat trick since Joe Corvo on March 16, 2008 vs. OTT.

LOOSE PUCKS
Mike Smith (22 saves) earned his 22nd shutout as a member of the Coyotes to establish a new franchise record . . . Bruins forward David Pastrnak (3-9—12 in 9 GP) and Blue Jackets forward Sam Gagner (4-4—8 in 6 GP) each extended point streaks . . . Canucks goaltender Ryan Miller played in his 700th NHL game . . . Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov tallied two assists to boost his totals to 10-10—20 in his last 10 games . . . The League launched the Greener Rinks initiative as a focal point of its NHL Green Week activities . . . Sharks forward Joe Pavelski, Ducks goaltender Jonathan Bernier and Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson were named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 12 . . . Renowned Canadian artist Tony Harris unveiled portraits of Mark Messier and Sidney Crosby as part of the NHL Centennial Celebration.

SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Winnipeg @ New Jersey, 7 p.m., MSG+, TSN3
Minnesota @ Washington, 7 p.m., SNP, CSN-DC, FS-N, FS-WI
NY Islanders @ Carolina, 7 p.m., FS-CR, MSG+ 2
Chicago @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, SNE, RDS, CSN-CH
Tampa Bay @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., RDS2, TSN5, SUN
Toronto @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, FS-F, TSN4
Dallas @ Edmonton, 9 p.m., SNW, FS-SW
Arizona @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., FS-W, FS-A
Buffalo @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., CSN-CA, MSG-B
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DIVISION LEADERS CONTEST KEY MATCHUPS
The top positions in the Atlantic, Metropolitan, and Central divisions will be contested with the Canadiens (39-22-8, 86 points), Senators (39-22-6, 84 points), Capitals (44-17-7, 95 points), Wild (43-18-6, 92 points) and Blackhawks (43-20-5, 91 points) all in action.

* Two of the League’s top teams face off when the Eastern Conference-leading Capitals host the Western Conference-leading Wild. Washington looks to snap a four-game slide while Minnesota will look to extend their lead over Chicago atop the Central Division.

* The Blackhawks will attempt to regain that top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference when they visit the Canadiens on NBCSN. Chicago trails Minnesota by one point in the Western Conference race, while Montreal will look to extend its lead over Ottawa atop the Atlantic Division standings.

* The Senators look to extend their win streak to seven games and catch the Canadiens when they host the Lightning (33-26-9, 75 points), who aim to to extend a three-game winning streak and catch Toronto (31-22-14, 76 points) for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.