HREE HARD LAPS: QUICK HITS FROM SUNDAY

* Blake Wheeler nets first career four-goal game as Jets post League-leading seventh hat trick of 2018-19.

* Marc-Andre Fleury recorded his second shutout in as many outings as the Golden Knights continue to find themselves among division leaders.

* Martin Jones collects 31st win of the season as the Sharks improved to 21-5-5 at SAP Center this season.

Read below for more on each storyline.

WHEELER’S CAREER NIGHT PROPELS JETS
Blake Wheeler (4-0—4) netted his first career four-goal game to reach the 80-point mark (17-63—80 in 65 GP) and help the Jets (39-22-4, 82 points) maintain a one-point lead over the Predators (38-25-5, 81 points) - who also won Sunday - atop the Central Division.

* Wheeler’s performance marked the seventh hat trick by a Winnipeg skater in 2018-19, which paces all clubs this season. The only player in franchise history with multiple 60-assist seasons - he shared the League lead with 68 helpers in 2017-18 - Wheeler now is the fifth Jets/Thrashers player to score at least four goals in a game.

* The Jets captain became the third NHL player and second Winnipeg skater to score four goals in a game this season. In 2017-18, seven players accomplished the feat: Alex Ovechkin, Patrice Bergeron, Connor McDavid, Evander Kane, Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown and Mark Jankowski. Overall, Wheeler netted the League’s 76th hat trick since opening night - five shy of the end-of-season total from 2017-18 (81).

* Wheeler reached the 80-point mark while skating in his 65th team game. Only one player in Jets/Thrashers franchise history has reached the benchmark in fewer games: Ilya Kovalchuk did so in 2005-06 (61 GP), en route to posting the second-highest single-season point total in club history (52-46—98 in 78 GP).

FLEURY POSTS SECOND SHUTOUT IN AS MANY OUTINGS

Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves to post his second consecutive shutout (March 1: 3-0 W at ANA) and backstop the Golden Knights (36-26-5, 77 points) to their fourth straight win. Vegas, which currently sits third in the Pacific Division, has ranked among the top three in its division for more than three-quarters of their time in League - only five clubs have spent more time among the top three in their division since the start of last season.

* Fleury has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the second time this season (also Nov. 23-24) en route to earning his eighth such performance of 2018-19, two shy of his career high (10 w/ PIT in 2014-15). Fleury’s 56 career shutouts place him one shy of the top 20 in NHL history; Roberto Luongo (77) and Henrik Lundqvist (63) are the only active netminders with more.

SHARKS CONTINUE SUCCESS AT SAP CENTER
Four different players scored as the Sharks (39-19-8, 86 points) improved to 21-5-5 at SAP Center this season and moved within three points of the idle Flames (41-17-7, 89 points) for top spot in the Western Conference. The club’s 21 home victories is tied for fourth in the League, behind Tampa Bay (27), Boston (24) and Winnipeg (22).

* Only two seasons in franchise history have featured the club finish a campaign with five or fewer home regulation losses: 2012-13 (17-2-5)^ and 2008-09 (32-5-4).
^ 48-game schedule

* Martin Jones (28 saves) improved 31-13-5 and trails only Marc-Andre Fleury (32-19-5) in wins this season. There have only been two campaigns in franchise history in which a Sharks goaltender has at least shared the League lead in wins: Antti Niemi (tied w/ 24 in 2012-13) and Evgeni Nabokov (46 in 2007-08).

METROPOLITAN DIVISION CLUBS SKATE TO VICTORIES SUNDAY

The Capitals (38-21-7, 83 points) overtook the division lead for the first time since Jan. 14, while Flyers (32-26-8, 72 points) moved within five points of the last Wild Card position.

* The Capitals improved to 9-0-1 in their last 10 contests against the Rangers, including six consecutive victories - the longest regular-season win streak Washington has ever had against New York. This marks the first time the Capitals have swept a season series against the Rangers.

* Claude Giroux (0-2—2) reached the 70-point mark on the season for the sixth time in his career. Only four players in franchise history have recorded more seasons with at least 70 points: Bobby Clarke (9), Brian Propp (8), Bill Barber (7) and Eric Lindros (7). The Flyers are one of three teams within nine points of a playoff position (also Columbus and Buffalo).

BARKOV INCHES CLOSER TO 30 GOALS
Aleksander Barkov netted his 28th goal of the season to match his career high set in 2015-16 (28-31—59 in 66 GP) and move within two markers of joining teammate Mike Hoffman (30-27—57 in 65 GP) as the second Panthers player to score 30 goals in 2018-19. Only one campaign in Panthers franchise history has featured multiple 30-goal scorers, when Olli Jokinen (39) and Nathan Horton (31) both reached the feat in 2006-07.

QUICK CLICKS

* Lindsey Vonn drops ceremonial puck in hometown Minnesota

* Carey Price, Jacques Plante bonded by family ties, place in history with Canadiens

* Jacques Plante mask mold finds way to Hockey Hall of Fame

* Erik Karlsson to be extra cautious following latest injury scare with Sharks

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION

FLAMES AIM FOR 90TH POINT AGAINST MARNER AND MAPLE LEAFS

The Pacific Division-leading Flames (41-17-7, 89 points) host the Maple Leafs (40-21-4, 84 points) Monday in search of their 90th point. Calgary and Toronto, who rank second and fifth overall in 2018-19, respectively, sit among the top five in the League standings at the same time at this stage of a season for the first time ever.

* The Flames sit one point shy of becoming the first Western Conference club to reach the 90-point mark this season. Only one campaign in franchise history has seen the club reach the benchmark in fewer contests: 1988-89 (60 GP), en route to capturing their only Stanley Cup.

* Mitch Marner (23-55—78 in 65 GP) leads the Maple Leafs in scoring this season and eyes his first career 80-point performance. The 21-year-old can become the first Maple Leafs player to reach the mark in a campaign since Phil Kessel accomplished the feat in 2013-14 (37-43—80 in 82 GP).

Thanks to the NHL PR departmetn for the information above.