RANGERS, JETS STRENGHTEN THEIR PLAYOFF POSITIONS
Two of the League’s top six teams earned wins Monday as the Rangers (42-18-4, 88 points) padded their cushion over the idle Hurricanes (39-19-6, 84 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division and the Jets (41-18-5, 87 points) moved within two points of the idle Stars (40-17-9, 89 points) for the top spot in the Central Division:

* The Rangers defeated the Devils with the help of Mika Zibanejad, who scored one of his team’s three goals to record his seventh consecutive 20-goal season and the ninth overall of his career. He became the sixth Swedish-born player in NHL history with nine career 20-goal campaigns, joining Mats Sundin (17), Daniel Alfredsson (13), Markus Naslund (12), Daniel Sedin (11) and Gabriel Landeskog (9).

BLUES, KINGS SPOTLIGHTED IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES

QUICK CLICKS

* Nathan MacKinnon leads 3 Stars of the Week
* Kevin Hayes gets visit from nephews before game in hometown Boston

* Jordan Eberle relieved to still be with Kraken for 1,000th NHL game
* Mitch Marner day to day for Maple Leafs with lower-body injury
* Trophy Tracker: Rick Tocchet top choice for Adams as coach of year

WILD CARD RACES TAKE CENTER STAGE TUESDAY

A 10-game slate features a number of teams in pursuit of a playoff position in action. In the Eastern Conference, the Red Wings (33-25-6, 72 points) will look to gain ground on the Lightning (34-25-6, 74 points) for the first Wild Card spot when they face the Sabres (30-30-5, 65 points). In the Western Conference, a trio of teams will look to close-in on the Golden Knights (34-23-7, 75 points) for the last Wild Card spot, including the Kraken (28-24-11, 67 points) and the Flames (31-28-5, 67 points) who are hosting Vegas and Colorado (40-20-5, 85 points), respectively.

* The Red Wings, who are looking to make their first postseason appearance in over seven years (last: 2016 R1), enter Tuesday with a point in seven of their past 10 games against the Sabres (DET: 5-3-2, BUF: 5-2-3). Shayne Gostisbehere, who signed with Detroit in the offseason, has played a role in the club’s improvement in the standings this season – with his 10 goals, he is just one shy of Nicklas Lidstrom (11 in 1991-92) for the second most by a Red Wings defenseman in their first season with the club, behind only Brian Rafalski (13 in 2007-08).

* The Golden Knights have won eight of their 10 all-time meetings with the Kraken (SEA: 2-8-0), with Jonathan Marchessault (7-3—10 in 10 GP) and Chandler Stephenson (3-7—10 in 10 GP) leading Vegas in points through those games. Jordan Eberle, who is set to skate in his 1,000th career game Tuesday, is tied for the most points by a Kraken player against the club with 2-2—4 (10 GP).

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.