…SPURRING MEMORIES OF PHI-NYR SUDDEN-DEATH SHOOTOUT IN 2010

Saturday’s Blues/Avalanche contest marks the first time since 2010 that two teams will meet in their final game of the season while competing for the lone remaining playoff berth in the conference. The Flyers hosted the Rangers on the final day of the 2009-10 regular season in a winner-take-all showdown in which the victor would advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the loser would be eliminated. Tied 1-1 after regulation and overtime, the teams required a shootout to determine the playoff fates of both participants.

Foreshadowing their important role in Philadelphia’s run to the Stanley Cup Final over the weeks to come, the Flyers got shootout goals from Danny Briere and Claude Giroux to upend the Rangers 2-1 in the tie-breaker. Click here to re-visit the dramatic shootout.

FLYERS, PANTHERS CONTEND FOR EAST’S FINAL WILD CARD SPOT

The Flyers (41-26-14, 96 points) and Panthers (42-30-8, 92 points) remain in contention for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference heading into the weekend.

* The Flyers can clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and reach the postseason for the second time in three campaigns if they earn a single point in their matinee game with the Rangers. Philadelphia would also clinch if the Panthers lose to the Sabres. The Flyers are led offensively by Claude Giroux, who ranks third in the League with 31-68—99 and looks to become the first Flyers player to record a 100-point season since Eric Lindros in 1995-96.

* Meanwhile, the Panthers – who have already reeled off wins against the Hurricanes, Predators and Bruins this week – aim to push their winning streak to four games as they continue their pursuit of the Flyers and the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

ICYMI: The NHL announced an additional tiebreaking procedure to determine playoff eligibility between the Flyers and Panthers. Click here for details.

LIGHTNING, BRUINS CONTINUE BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT IN THE EAST

The Lightning (54-23-4, 112 points) and Bruins (49-19-12, 110 points) continue to jockey for the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division titles when they face the Hurricanes and Senators, respectively.

* The Lightning will clinch the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference if they defeat the Hurricanes in regulation or overtime

OR

If they defeat the Hurricanes in a shootout AND the Bruins fail to defeat the Senators in regulation or overtime

OR

If they get one point against the Hurricanes AND the Bruins lose to the Senators in any fashion

OR

If the Bruins lose to the Senators in regulation.

* The Lightning can capture the third division title in franchise history (2002-03 and 2003-04) and the club’s second Eastern Conference championship (2003-04).

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FRIDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
PITTSBURGH 4, Ottawa 0

TAMPA BAY 7, Buffalo 5

St. Louis 4, CHICAGO 1

ANAHEIM 5, Dallas 3

PENGUINS BLANK SENATORS TO EARN ANOTHER 100-POINT SEASON

Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel each produced 1-1—2 and Casey DeSmith (35 saves) recorded his first career shutout to backstop the Penguins(47-29-6, 100 points) to their third consecutive 100-point season and the 12th in franchise history. With the victory, Pittsburgh secured the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division and home-ice advantage in the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

* Pittsburgh has now recorded seven 100-point seasons in the last 10 campaigns (since 2008-09), joining the Blackhawks and Capitals (seven apiece) for the most 100-point seasons over that span.

* The Penguins concluded their 2017-18 schedule with a 30-9-2 record at PPG Paints Arena and join the Jets (31-7-2) as the only clubs to record at least 30 home wins this season. After posting a 31-6-4 home record in 2016-17, the Penguins became just the fourth different team in NHL history to win at least 30 home games in consecutive seasons. The others: Calgary (2005-06 and 2006-07), Philadelphia (1974-77 and 1984-86) and Montreal (1975-78 and 1979-81).

KUCHEROV CONTINUES CAREER YEAR WITH 100TH POINT
NikitaKucherov collected 1-1—2 to propel the Lightning (54-23-4, 112 points) back into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division standings and became just the third player in franchise history to record a 100-point season.

* Kucherov (39-61—100), who sits second in League scoring behind only Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (41-65—106), became the sixth different Russian-born player in NHL history to record at least 100 points in a season and the first to do so since Evgeni Malkin in 2011-12 (50-59—109).

* Yanni Gourde (1-2—3) and Alex Killorn (0-3—3) each collected three points to spark the Lightning offense to a seven-goal outburst. It marked the sixth time this season Tampa Bay has produced at least seven goals in a game, the most of any team in 2017-18.

* Gourde boosted his season totals to 25-39—64 to establish a franchise rookie record for goals and points in a single season. Overall, there are four rookies with at least 25 goals this season. Only two campaigns since 1990-91 have featured more than four 25-goal rookies: 1992-93 (8) and 2005-06 (6).

* Brayden Point collected his League-leading 12th game-winning goal of the season to match the single-season franchise record set by Steven Stamkos (12) in 2011-12.

DUCKS, BLUES CLIMB STANDINGS WITH CRUCIAL VICTORIES

The Ducks (43-25-13, 99 points) and Blues (44-31-6, 94 points) each earned crucial victories to climb the Western Conference standings and collect vital points in their respective playoff races:

* Ryan Getzlaf (0-2—2) was one of four players with multiple points as the Ducks earned their seventh consecutive victory at Honda Center. Anaheim, who moved past idle Los Angeles (45-28-8, 98 points) for the No. 3 seed in the Pacific Division, have won at least seven consecutive home games for the first time since a 10-game run from Dec. 9 – Jan. 15, 2014.

* Anaheim goaltender Ryan Miller (23 saves) earned the 369th win of his NHL career to move into a tie with Tom Barrasso for second place on the NHL’s all-time wins list among U.S.-born goaltenders. John Vanbiesbrouck paces all American netminders with 374 career victories.

* Patrik Berglund (3-0—3) scored his second career hat trick to help the Blues leapfrog the idle Avalanche (42-30-9, 93 points) and move into the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference – setting up a one-game showdown between the clubs on Saturday.

* Berglund improved his season totals to 17-8—25 in 56 games this season, with eight of his 17 goals scored in his last 10 outings (8-1—9).

QUICK CLICKS

· NHL announces new honor: The Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award

· NHL Draft: Rasmus Dahlin skill set draws Hedman as closest NHL comparable

· Sedins gave Canucks fans a final magic moment (via Nick Cotsonika)

· Roberto Luongo produced many highlights on road to 1,000 games

· Ducks players gift fishing boat to retiring equipment manager

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information