THORNTON LEADS THREE-GOAL COMEBACK, CLIMBS ALL-TIME POINTS LIST

The Sharks faced deficits of 3-0 and 4-1, but Joe Thornton collected 1-2—3, including an assist on the overtime winner by Brent Burns (1-1—2), to rally San Jose to victory. In doing so, Thornton (389-1,021—1,410) leapfrogged Dale Hawerchuk (518-891—1,409) for sole possession of 19th place on the NHL’s all-time points list.

* Thornton recorded his 107th career three-point game – and first since Feb. 29, 2016 vs. MTL (1-2—3) – and now sits four points from tying Doug Gilmour (450-964—1,414) for 18th place on the all-time points list. Elias notes that only Jaromir Jagr (195) and Sidney Crosby (122) have more three-point performances among active players.

* Elias adds that 37 games this season have seen a team overcome a multi-goal deficit to win, including 15 in which the club trailed by multiple goals in the third period. It marked the sixth time in franchise history that San Jose has rallied from a deficit of at least three goals to win.

KINGS EXTEND WIN STREAK TO SEVEN GAMES

Ottawa tied the game with 8.5 seconds remaining in regulation, but Drew Doughty (1-1—2) scored 31 seconds into overtime to power Los Angeles to its seventh consecutive win and into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference (19-8-3, 41 points).

* The Kings’ seven-game run is the longest win streak in the NHL this season and the longest by Los Angeles since an equal run from Oct. 16-31, 2015. Their last win streak of at least eight games came from Feb. 7-24, 2015 (8-0-0).

* The Kings lead the NHL with 27 regular-season overtime goals since the 3-on-3 format was introduced in 2015-16, five more than the next-closest team (CGY: 22).

STAMKOS, NAMESTNIKOV POWER LEAGUE-LEADING LIGHTNING TO 20TH WIN

Steven Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov each had 1-2—3 as the League-leading Lightning scored at least five goals for the third consecutive game to become the first team to reach 20 wins this season (20-6-2, 42 points). Elias notes that the Lightning – who also pace the NHL in home victories (12) – established a franchise record for fewest games to reach the 20-win mark in a season.

* Elias adds that the Lightning scored at least five goals in three consecutive contests for the seventh time in franchise history and first since a four-game run from Jan. 25 – Feb. 1, 2013.

* Stamkos boosted his totals to 12-29—41 this season (28 GP) to join teammate Nikita Kucherov (19-21—40 in 28 GP) as the only players in the NHL to reach the 40-point mark this season. Stamkos and Kucherov were the top two vote-getters in the Atlantic Division after one week of the 2018 NHL All-Star Fan Vote.

MONAHAN EXTENDS FLAMES RECORD WITH NINTH OT GOAL

Sean Monahan scored his second goal of the contest at 1:14 of overtime to help the Flames rally past the Canadiens. Monahan shares third in the League with 17 goals this season, trailing only Alex Ovechkin (21) and Nikita Kucherov (19).

* Elias notes that Monahan – who has scored at least 22 goals in each of his first four NHL campaigns – would become the second player in franchise history to reach the 20-goal mark in each of his first five seasons; Kent Nilsson achieved the feat through his first six campaigns from 1979 to 1985.

* Monahan extended his franchise record with his ninth career regular-season overtime goal (all w/ CGY), the most in the NHL since making his League debut in 2013-14. Only 11 active players have scored more regular-season overtime goals than Monahan (348 GP), with each having skated in at least 592 career games.

NHL BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETINGS IN FLORIDA

The NHL Board of Governors gathered in Florida for their final meetings of the League’s Centennial year. Following Thursday’s meeting, Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that a Seattle ownership group has been authorized to file an application for an NHL expansion team. Bettman also announced that the Hurricanes have entered into a purchase agreement for controlling interest in the team.

QUICK CLICKS

· Blues season ticket holder suits up as emergency backup goalie

· Tkachuk suspended one game for actions in game against Leafs

· Behind the Numbers: Impact of rookies

· All-Star Fan Vote Continues

· Vote Now: Greatest NHL Uniforms

FOUR METROPOLITAN DIVISION TEAMS IN ACTION

Four teams in the Metropolitan Division – where positions Nos. 1-6 are separated by just four points – are in action tonight. The Devils (16-7-4, 36 points) are hosting the Blue Jackets (17-10-1, 35 points) at Prudential Center, while the Rangers (15-10-2, 32 points) are visiting the Capitals (17-11-1, 35 points) at Capital One Arena.

NEAL RETURNS TO NASHVILLE WITH GOLDEN KNIGHTS

James Neal will face his former team for the first time when the Golden Knights (17-9-1, 35 points) visit the Predators (18-7-3, 39 points) at Bridgestone Arena. Neal – who leads Vegas with four game-winning goals and shares third on the team with 13-8—21 (27 GP) – recorded 77-59—136 in 219 regular-season games with the Predators from 2014-17. He registered nine points (6-3—9 in 22 GP), including two winning tallies, to help Nashville advance to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 2017. The contest could also mark the first regular-season meeting between P.K. Subban, a defenseman for the Predators, and his younger brother Malcolm, a goaltender for the Golden Knights.

the information above was suppllied by the NHL PR department