AVALANCHE STOP SHARKS’ COMEBACK;THORNTON, KNIGHT COMBINE FOR NHL-FIRST

The League-leading Avalanche (44-13-5, 93 points) quelled a comeback attempt by the Sharks to earn a win at SAP Center, while the Eastern Conference-leading Panthers (42-14-6, 90 points) blanked the Ducks to join Colorado in the 90-point club:

* Cale Makar (1-2—3) factored on three of his team’s five goals and boosted his 2021-22 totals to 22-47—69 (58 GP), the second-most points in a season by an Avalanche/Nordiques defenseman behind only Steve Duchesne (82 in 1992-93). Makar also tied Jeff Brown (47 in 1988-89) for the third-most assists in a single campaign by an Avalanche/Nordiques defenseman, trailing only Duchesne (62 in 1992-93) and Ray Bourque (52 in 2000-01).

* Joe Thornton scored his first goal since returning to the Panthers’ lineup and Spencer Knight (17 saves) recorded the first shutout of his NHL career as Florida opened a two-point lead on Carolina (41-14-6, 88 points) atop the Eastern Conference. Friday marked the first game in NHL history to feature a skater age 40 or older with a goal and a goaltender age 20 or younger with a shutout.

BRUINS, CAPITALS INCH CLOSER TO THIRD PLACE IN RESPECTIVE DIVISION
Boston (38-19-5, 81 points) and Washington (35-18-10, 80 points) won Friday to move closer to third place in the Atlantic and Metropolitan Division, respectively:

* Brad Marchand (25-35—60 in 51 GP) scored his 25th goal of the season and Taylor Hall had the go-ahead tally with 4:47 remaining in regulation as the Bruins climbed within two points of the idle Maple Leafs (39-17-5, 83 points), who occupy third place in the Atlantic Division. Marchand (344-431—775 in 855 GP) scored the 344th goal of his NHL career and tied Cam Neely (344-246—590 in 525 GP) for sixth place on the franchise’s all-time list.

* Alex Ovechkin tied the game with 5:04 left in the third period and scored the shootout winner as the Capitals moved within one point of the idle Rangers (38-18-5, 81 points), who sit third in the Metropolitan Division. Ovechkin (769-626—1,395 in 1,258 GP) surpassed Luc Robitaille (668-726—1,394 in 1,431 GP) for sole possession of 22nd place on the NHL’s all-time points list – passing Robitaille also made Ovechkin the highest-scoring left wing in League history.

#STANLEYCUP PLAYOFFS RACE: WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD

Every Saturday for the balance of the regular season, the #NHLStats team will place a weekly spotlight on one of the League’s postseason races. Nashville, which occupies the first Wild Card spot, is currently tied – in terms of points – with Minnesota, which sits third in the Central Division. Vegas, which holds the second Wild Card position, is within two points of Edmonton, which ranks third in the Pacific Division.

* Closeness has been a trend in the Western Conference standings throughout the campaign – the separation between the second Wild Card team and the first non-playoff team has been a difference of five points or fewer for the entire season. The race has been even tighter in the past month, with that difference narrowed to two points or fewer for all but one day since Feb. 14.

* The Predators, in search of an eighth consecutive playoff appearance and 15th overall, are tied for the second-most postseason trips since 2004 when they clinched for the first time. Only the Penguins have more appearances in that span and a longer streak of consecutive playoff berths (both 15).

* The Golden Knights currently have their grasp on the second Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, with hopes of clinching a postseason berth for the fifth consecutive year since its inaugural season in 2017-18. Only three teams in NHL history have made the playoffs in each of their first five seasons: Edmonton (13; 1980–1992), NY Rangers (9; 1927–1935) and St. Louis (6; 1968–1973).

* The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning acquired forward Brandon Hagel, Chicago’s 4th-round selection in 2022 and 4th-round pick in 2024 from the Blackhawks in exchange for forwards Taylor Raddysh, Boris Katchouk, Tampa’s 1st-round selection in 2023 and 1st-round selection in 2024.

* Hagel (21-16—37 in 55 GP) has posted career highs in goals, assists and points in 2021-22, while Raddysh won an OHL championship with the Erie Otters in 2016-17 alongside new Blackhawks teammates Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome.

NHL PODCAST WEEKLY ROUNDUP

* Fantasy on Ice (3/14): Highlighting the best pickups entering the week

* NHL @TheRink (3/16): Guest Tom Gulitti, NHL.com’s Washington-based writer

* The Chirp (3/17): Guest Tarik El-Bashir (The Athletic/Turner Sports) talks Ovechkin milestone

* Fantasy on Ice (3/17): Guest David Pagnotta (The Fourth Period, NHLN) talks Trade Deadline

QUICK CLICKS

* #NHLStats: Live Updates – Friday, March 18, 2022
* Tage Thompson gives Sabres OT win against Flames
* Josh Norris breaks tie in third, helps Senators defeat Flyers
* Rangers' 'winning mentality' could be key at Lightning on Saturday
* 'NHL Tonight' to air its first all-women broadcast on Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET

SATURDAY’S SLATE INCLUDES CLASH BETWEEN LIGHTNING, RANGERS ON ABC
Saturday’s 11-game slate is highlighted by a pivotal matchup between the Lightning (39-15-6, 84 points) and Rangers (38-18-5, 81 points) on ABC and ESPN+. Tampa Bay and New York enter Saturday occupying third and sixth place, respectively, in the tightly-contested Eastern Conference standings.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.