TOP LINE POWERS FLAMES TO FIFTH STRAIGHT VICTORY
The trio of Johnny Gaudreau (1-1—2), Micheal Ferland (1-1—2) and Sean Monahan (0-1—1) led the offense yet again as the Flames (23-16-4, 50 points) earned their fifth consecutive victory to leapfrog the idle Sharks (21-13-6, 48 points) into third place in the Pacific Division.



* Gaudreau collected multiple points for the 16th time this season to extend his point streak to five games (1-9—10) and become the ninth player to eclipse the 50-point mark this season (14-37—51 in 43 GP). He has led Calgary in scoring in each of the past two seasons.

* Ferland tallied at least two points for the fourth consecutive game and has registered 4-4—8 during Calgary’s five-game streak. A fifth-round pick (133rd overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft, Ferland has collected 19-9—28 in 42 games this season after posting 21-27—48 in his first 173 career outings.

* Mike Smith (33 saves), who has backstopped the Flames in each contest during their five-game run, has won five consecutive games for the third time in his career – in 2011-12 he went 11-0-0 from Feb. 4-28 and 5-0-0 from March 29 – April 7.

HURRICANES HALT CAPITALS' WIN STREAKS
Jordan Staal, Victor Rask and Sebastian Aho each scored once to help the Hurricanes (20-15-8, 48 points) halt the Capitals’ home and overall win streaks at five and 10 games, respectively, and move into the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

* The Hurricanes and Capitals meet again tonight at PNC Arena as Carolina aims to extend its own home point streak to eight contests (6-0-1 in 7 GP).



EICHEL, ULLMARK POWER SABRES ON HOME ICE
Jack Eichel notched 1-1—2 and Linus Ullmark posted a career-high 44 saves to help the Sabres snap a five-game skid (0-4-1). Eichel, who set a career high with 24-33—57 in 61 GP last season, paces the Sabres with 18-23—41 in 44 GP in 2017-18. He has eclipsed 40 points in each of his first three NHL seasons (also 2015-16: 24-32—56 in 81 GP).

QUICK CLICKS

· Thomas Dundon becomes majority owner of Hurricanes

· Erik Karlsson named to All-Star team despite difficult season (via Mike Zeisberger)

· All-Star Game selection takes on new meaning for Eric Staal

· Postponed game between Panthers and Bruins rescheduled for April 8

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

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STREAKING JETS EYE FIRST PLACE IN WESTERN CONFERENCE
The Jets (26-11-7, 59 points), who lead the Central Division and sit one point back of first place in the Western Conference, put their seven-game point streak (6-0-1) on the line when they visit the Blackhawks (21-16-6, 48 points). The Jets/Thrashers franchise has registered a point streak of at least eight games on four occasions, including once earlier this season (5-0-3 from Oct. 20 – Nov. 6); the club record of nine consecutive games with at least one point was established from Dec. 9-28, 2005 (6-0-3).

* Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been in net six times during Winnipeg’s current run and owns a personal nine-game point streak (7-0-2). Hellebuyck, who ranks third in the NHL with 23 wins, matched a franchise record with a 10-game point streak earlier this season (8-0-2 from Oct. 9 – Nov. 6) – only one other netminder in club history has registered at least a point in nine or more consecutive appearances: Michael Garnettwent 7-0-3 in 2005-06 when the team was based in Atlanta.

* Captain Blake Wheeler has found the score sheet in each contest during Winnipeg’s seven-game point streak (5-6—11 in 7 GP) to move into a share of second place in League scoring (14-38—52 in 44 GP).

Thanks to the PR department of the NHL for the information above.