OVECHKIN REACHES 30-GOAL MARK FOR 13TH STRAIGHT SEASON

Alex Ovechkin (1-1—2) scored his League-leading 30th goal of the season and collected the 500th assist of his NHL career to guide the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals (29-15-5, 63 points) to victory. Ovechkin (30-23—53) reached the 30-goal mark for the 13th time in as many NHL seasons.

* Ovechkin, who this season has leapfrogged six players to move into 20th place on the NHL’s all-time goals list (588), became just the sixth player in NHL history to record 30 goals in 13 or more consecutive seasons at any point in his career, joining Mike Gartner (15), Jaromir Jagr(15), Wayne Gretzky (13), PhilEsposito (13) and Bobby Hull (13). Gartner, Gretzky and Ovechkin are the only players to achieve the feat in each of their first 13 campaigns.

* In fact, Ovechkin became just the 10th player in NHL history to record at least 13 different 30-goal seasons (consecutive or otherwise).

BRUINS EXTEND POINT STREAK TO 18 GAMES

Jake DeBrusk scored the go-ahead goal with 11:19 remaining in regulation to help the Bruins (29-10-8, 66 points) extend their point streak to 18 games (14-0-4), including five consecutive wins.

* The Bruins, who have the fewest regulation losses in the NHL, became the sixth club in the past 20 seasons to register a point streak of at least 18 games, joining the Lightning (14-0-4 in 2003-04; 18 GP), Red Wings (17-0-3 in 2005-06; 20 GP), Sharks (18-0-2 in 2007-08; 20 GP), Blackhawks (21-0-3 in 2012-13; 24 GP) and Blue Jackets (17-0-1 in 2016-17; 18 GP).

* This marks the third time in franchise history that the Bruins have recorded one or more points in at least 18 consecutive games – and first instance in almost 50 years.

* Tuukka Rask (21 saves) improved to 16-0-2 in his last 18 decisions dating to Nov. 29 (1.65 GAA, .939 SV%, 2 SO). He became the fifth goaltender in franchise history to record at least one point in 18 consecutive decisions.

DeBRINCAT SCORES SECOND HAT TRICK

Alex DeBrincat (3-1—4) scored his second hat trick of the season (also 3-1—4 on Nov. 27 vs. ANA) to help the Blackhawks snap a four-game slide (0-3-1). DeBrincat became the second rookie in franchise history to record multiple hat tricks, joining Steve Larmer (two in 1982-83).

* DeBrincat (Farmington Hills, Mich.) also became the fifth U.S.-born rookie in NHL history to score multiple hat tricks in a single season.

CROSBY EXTENDS STREAK, CLIMBS PENGUINS’ ALL-TIME POINTS LIST

Sidney Crosby collected three helpers to extend his assist/point streak to nine games (3-16—19) and lead the Penguins to their fifth straight win at PPG Paints Arena. Crosby boosted his career totals to 399-683—1,082 (all w/ PIT) and passed Jaromir Jagr for sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time points list.

* Evgeni Malkin (23-29—52) collected 2-1—3 to eclipse the 50-point mark for the fifth straight season and 10th time in his NHL career (all w/ PIT). Only three players have recorded more 50-point seasons with the Penguins: Mario Lemieux (12), Crosby (12) and Jagr (11).

CLUBS STAY HOT ENTERING ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Several clubs continued recent strings of success in their final games before the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend:

* Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos each collected two assists to help the League-leading-Lightning – hosts of the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend – become the first team to eclipse the 70-point mark this season (34-12-3, 71 points). Kucherov leads the NHL with 27-36—63 in 2017-18 (49 GP), while Stamkos is tied for third with 18-40—58 (49 GP).

* Pekka Rinne turned aside all 27 shots he faced to record his fourth shutout of the season (47th career) and backstop the Predators to their eighth consecutive game with at least one point (6-0-2).

* Brayden Schenn (GWG) scored for the fourth consecutive game (4-2—6) to power the Blues to a 4-1-0 mark in their last five contests.

* Ryan Miller denied all five shootout attempts to backstop the Ducks to a 4-1-0 clip in their last five outings. Miller earned his 59th career shootout win, the most among goaltenders in NHL history.

* Connor McDavid (0-1—1) scored the decisive marker in the shootout to lift the Oilers past the Flames and to a 4-1-0 record in their last five games. Calgary, meanwhile, extended its point streak 11 games by virtue of its shootout loss (7-0-4).

* Robin Lehner (30 saves) recorded his second straight shutout (also Jan. 23 at EDM) to backstop the Sabres to their third consecutive win. Lehner became the first Sabres goaltender to post consecutive shutouts since Ryan Miller from Feb. 29 – March 1, 2012.

QUICK CLICKS

· Mike Smith basking in selection to second All-Star Game

· NHL executive discusses importance of gender diversity (via Amalie Benjamin)

· Eagles coach Doug Pederson drops puck for Flyers, cheered by Philadelphia

· Alexander Radulov sinks halfcourt shot with Harlem Globetrotters

SNEAK PEEK AT ALL-STAR WEEKEND

MIKE SMITH ADDED TO PACIFIC DIVISION ROSTER

Flames goaltender Mike Smith has been added to the Pacific Division roster for the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick.

BRIAN BOYLE ADDED TO METROPOLITAN DIVISION ROSTER

Devils forward Brian Boyle has been added to the Metropolitan Division roster for the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game as a replacement for teammate Taylor Hall.

ALL-STAR INFORMATION GUIDE NOW AVAILABLE

The 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game Interactive Information Guide – featuring this weekend’s schedule of events as well as a roster of participants and rules for both the 2018 GEICO NHL All-Star Skills Competition and 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game – now is available for download via the League’s Media site. The guide also includes a complete history of the NHL All-Star Game in addition to records and a register for skaters, goaltenders and head coaches.

ICYMI: Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, who will captain the Central Division at the 2018 Honda NHL All-Star Game, was a guest on "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah." Click here for a behind-the-scenes look.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.