* Stepan has posted two other hat tricks in his career: Oct. 9, 2010 at BUF (3-0—3 in NHL debut) and Nov. 2, 2013 vs. NYR (3-0—3). With Saturday’s performance, he extended his point streak to five contests (4-4—8).

* Playing in his 600th NHL game, Henrik Lundqvist made 19 saves to match a career best with his seventh consecutive victory (also Dec. 20, 2011 – Jan. 10, 2012). He has a 1.54 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and one shutout during the current run.

* Lundqvist earned the 325th win of his career, moving past Sean Burke and into sole possession of 22nd place in NHL history. Per Elias, Lundqvist is the fourth goaltender in NHL history to record at least 325 victories through his first 600 appearances, joining Jacques Plante (332), Martin Brodeur (330) and Chris Osgood (325).

* After a 0-2-0 start to the season, the Rangers have earned points in 12 consecutive games against Metropolitan Division opponents (11-0-1). They also picked up their fourth straight victory over the Devils dating to Jan. 26, 2014 – the 2014 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium.

BISHOP LIFTS LIGHTNING INTO TOP SPOT IN ATLANTIC . . .
Making his first start since Dec. 15, Ben Bishop recorded 25 saves, including 10 in the third period, to backstop the Lightning to their fifth consecutive win over the Hurricanes dating to Nov. 1, 2013.

* With the victory, the Lightning (22-11-4, 48 points) leapfrogged the idle Canadiens (22-11-2, 46 points) for the top spot in the Atlantic Division.

* The Lightning earned their third consecutive victory at Amalie Arena. At 14-4-1 (29 points) overall this season, they share the League lead in home wins and rank third in home points.

* Bishop improved to 5-0-0 with a 1.19 goals-against average, .967 save percentage and two shutouts in five career appearances against the Hurricanes.

* Alex Killorn snapped a 12-game scoring drought with his eighth goal of the season. Each of his past three goals has been a game-winner (also Nov. 22 vs. MIN and Nov. 29 vs. OTT).

* Nikita Kucherov also found the back of the net; he has 6-5—11 in his past eight outings dating to Dec. 11. Kucherov ranks second on the team in goals (15) and third in points (34) in 37 games this season, his second in the NHL.

. . . NYQUIST’S OVERTIME HEROICS HELP RED WINGS KEEP PACE
Henrik Zetterberg (1-1—2) scored the tying goal early in the third period and Gustav Nyquist potted the decisive marker with 47.6 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Red Wings to their fourth victory in their last five meetings with the Senators dating to Dec. 1, 2013.

* At 19-8-9 (47 points), the Red Wings moved into second place in the crowded Atlantic Division.

* Nyquist recorded his second career overtime goal (also Feb. 26, 2014 at MTL). He leads the Red Wings with 15 goals and ranks fourth on the club with 23 points in 36 games this season.

* Zetterberg posted his second consecutive multi-point performance to stretch his point streak to four games (3-3—6). He leads the team with 8-24—32 in 36 outings this season.

* Justin Abdelkader added his eighth goal of the season. The Red Wings improved to 7-0-0 when he finds the back of the net and 11-1-1 when he registers at least one point.

* Jimmy Howard (31 saves) made his fourth 30-plus save performance of the season. He has a 14-5-7 record in 27 appearances, ranking fifth in the League with a 2.05 goals-against average.

* The Red Wings won for the second straight game when trailing after two periods (also on Tuesday vs. BUF). Elias says the team last strung together two such victories on Jan. 7-8, 2011 (at CGY and at VAN).

KANE LEADS BLACKHAWKS PAST AVALANCHE . . .
Down 2-1 late in the first period, the Blackhawks scored four unanswered goals – led by 2-1—3 from Patrick Kane – to improve to 12-2-1 in their last 15 games dating to Nov. 26.

* Kane has recorded three three-point performances in his past five outings (also 1-2—3 on Dec. 16 vs. MIN and 1-2—3 on Dec. 21 vs. TOR). He paces the Blackhawks and ranks sixth in the NHL with 18-21—39 in 36 games this season, including 6-7—13 in his past eight contests.

* Jonathan Toews also posted a multi-point game with two assists. He ranks second to Kane for the team lead in goals (13), assists (18) and points (31) in 36 appearances.

* Corey Crawford made 23 saves, including 11 in the third period, to improve to 13-6-2 in 21 games this season; his 2.00 goals-against average ranks fourth in the NHL.

* The Blackhawks have won two straight games against the Avalanche (also Nov. 26 at COL) after dropping four of their five meetings in 2013-14 (1-3-1).

. . . PREDATORS, JETS EARN WINS TO KEEP PACE IN CENTRAL
Both the Predators and Jets also picked up victories on Saturday to keep pace in the Central Division standings.

* Knotted at 1-1 midway through the second period, the Predators posted three unanswered goals to improve to 11-0-0 this season following a loss. Colin Wilson (2-0—2), Mike Fisher (1-1—2), Filip Forsberg (1-1—2) and Roman Josi (0-2—2) all registered multi-point games for the Predators, who are 13-2-1 (27 points) at Bridgestone Arena; they rank second in the Western Conference in both home wins and points.

* Pekka Rinne made 26 saves, including 10 in the final period, to pick up his fourth straight victory. He leads the NHL with 23 wins this season and ranks second with both a 1.81 goals-against average and .935 save percentage in 30 appearances.

* Shea Weber collected one helper to stretch his assist streak to a career-long five games (0-6—6). He shares eighth among defensemen with 6-17—23 in 34 outings this season.

* The Jets surrendered a pair of one-goal leads in the third period, but Andrew Ladd (1-1—2) scored off the goaltender’s back at 2:47 of overtime to propel the club to its second straight win and fifth consecutive game with at least one point (4-0-1). The Jets also have secured at least one point in 13 of their past 14 outings dating to Nov. 25 (9-1-4).

* The Jets improved to 5-0-3 in their past eight games as visitors, setting a record for the longest road point streak in franchise history. Per Elias, the club had two seven-game runs prior to this stretch: Oct. 21 – Nov. 13, 2000 (3-0-4) and April 18 – Oct. 28, 2006 (4-0-3).

* Rookie Michael Hutchinson made 22 saves to pick up his third straight victory. He owns a 9-2-2 record in 14 appearances this season and leads all goaltenders with a 1.77 goals-against average and .939 save percentage.

KINGS CLIMB PACIFIC DIVISION STANDINGS
Trailing 1-0 midway through the first period, the Kings scored three unanswered goals to knock off the Sharks in their first meeting since opening night and jump two spots in the Pacific Division standings.

* The Kings closed their four-game homestand with a 3-0-1 record. They share the League lead with 14 home victories and 30 home points this season (14-4-2).

* Anze Kopitar posted 1-1—2, including his 29th career game-winning goal, to stretch his assist/point streak to five games (2-10—12).

* Marian Gaborik collected one assist to extend his point streak to six contests (7-3—10), while Tyler Toffoli found the back of the net to snap a 10-game scoring drought.

* Jonathan Quick made 21 saves to improve to 13-3-2 with a 1.79 goals-against average, .935 save percentage and three shutouts in 18 games this season at STAPLES Center.

* The Kings went 2-for-4 on the power play; Elias says they have scored multiple power-play goals in four consecutive games for the first time March 4-11, 1993.

* The Kings picked up their 13th win in their last 16 home games against the Sharks dating to Nov. 28, 2011 (regular season and playoffs).

HOLTBY, CAPITALS SHUT THE DOOR ON PENGUINS
Braden Holtby stopped all 31 shots he faced, including 12 in the third period, to record his 14th career shutout (third this season) and help the Capitals earn their first win over the Penguins since Jan. 11, 2012, snapping an eight-game skid (0-7-1).

* The Capitals improved to 8-1-2 in their last 11 games dating to Dec. 4. At 18-11-6 (42 points) overall, they occupy the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and are tied with the Rangers (19-10-4, 42 points) – in terms of points – for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

* Holtby has started 12 straight games for the Capitals, compiling an 8-2-2 record with a 1.98 goals-against average, .933 save percentage and two shutouts in that span.

* Holtby became the fourth Capitals goaltender to shut out the Penguins in Pittsburgh, joining Al Jensen (Oct. 25, 1983), Don Beaupre (Oct. 29, 1991) and Michal Neuvirth (Feb. 21, 2011).

* Eric Fehr scored twice, including the game-winning marker, for his first multi-goal performance since Jan. 9, 2014 at TBL (2-0—2). Four of Fehr’s nine goals this season have been game-winners; that shares second in the NHL, one behind League leader Patrick Kane.

* Former Penguins Brooks Orpik (0-1—1, +3, 24:04 TOI) and Matt Niskanen (+1, 22:16 TOI) made their returns to Pittsburgh after signing with the Capitals as free agents during the offseason.

ENNIS CAPS SABRES’ THIRD-PERIOD RALLY
Tyler Ennis scored the lone marker in the shootout to complete the Sabres’ rally from a 3-0 third-period deficit and help the club snap its four-game skid (0-3-1).

* The Sabres overcame a 3-0 third-period deficit to win for just the second time in franchise history (also April 2, 2003 vs. ATL).

* The Sabres overcame a three-goal third-period deficit (of any score) to win for the first time since March 19, 2008 vs. TBL.

* The Sabres overcame a three-goal deficit at any point during the game to win for the first time since April 3, 2012 vs. TOR.

* Ennis improved to 3-for-6 (50.0%) in shootouts this season and 12-for-33 (36.4%), with five game-deciding goals, in his career. He leads the Sabres with 8-15—23 in 36 outings.

* Jhonas Enroth made 33 saves – and denied all three shootout attempts he faced – to pick up his eighth victory in his past 11 appearances (8-2-1).

* The Sabres improved to 11-6-1 in their last 18 games, including a 9-2-0 mark in their past 11 outings at First Niagara Center.

AROUND THE RINKS
Highlights from the rest of Saturday’s action:

* Johnny Gaudreau scored twice in 16 seconds, including the eventual game-winning goal, to lead the Flames to their fourth straight victory in the Battle of Alberta. After recording his first career hat trick on Monday at LAK, Elias says Gaudreau is the first Flames rookie to post consecutive multi-goal games since March 10-12, 1988, when Joe Nieuwendyk notched 2-0—2 vs. WPG and 2-1—3 vs. BUF, respectively. Gaudreau ranks second among rookies in goals (12), assists (17) and points (29) in 34 contests this season.

* Scott Hartnell (2-0—2) found the back of the net twice in his first appearance since Dec. 11 and Kevin Connauton (1-2—3) set a career high with three points to power the Blue Jackets to their first win over the Bruins since Jan. 21, 2010, snapping a seven-game skid (0-3-4). Matt Calvert (1-1—2), Brandon Dubinsky (0-2—2) and Jack Johnson (0-2—2) also added multi-point games for the Blue Jackets, who improved to 9-1-1 in their last 11 outings dating to Dec. 1.

* Defensemen Trevor Daley and Jason Demers both scored power-play goals in the second period to lead the Stars to their fourth straight road victory and first intra-division win of the season (1-7-3). Demers now has two game-winning goals in 14 contests since joining the Stars; he had two such tallies in 300 career outings prior to his arrival in Dallas. Kari Lehtonen made 30 saves to improve to 11-4-2 with a 2.05 goals-against average, .929 save percentage and two shutouts in 19 career appearances versus the Blues.

* Devan Dubnyk recorded 35 saves – and denied all four shootout attempts he faced – to backstop the Coyotes to their second consecutive win. Per Elias, Dubynk improved to 6-1-1 when facing at least 30 shots on goal this season. Shane Doan potted the game-deciding goal after breaking his stick; he improved to 12-for-37 (32.4%) in his shootout career, including his third decisive marker. The Coyotes earned their second victory against the Ducks in their last eight meetings dating to Oct. 18, 2013 (2-4-2).

LOOSE PUCKS
The Islanders suffered their first overtime/shootout loss of the season (9-1). They set an NHL record by winning their first nine games of the season that went past regulation . . . Devils forward Scott Gomez became the 296th player in NHL history to skate in 1,000 games . . . Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf collected one assist to stretch his point streak to seven games (4-7—11) . . . Flyers captain Claude Giroux scored to extend his point streak to four games (4-3—7). He ranks third in the NHL with 12-30—42 in 35 contests . . . Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko posted his 21st goal of the season, third in the League behind Tyler Seguin (25) and Rick Nash (23), to reach 100 NHL points (50-50—100 in 137 GP) . . . Islanders linemates John Tavares (2-0—2) and Kyle Okposo (0-2—2) both recorded two points; they share the team lead with 15-16—31 and 8-23—31, respectively, in 35 outings . . . Wild goaltender John Curry made 19 saves in his first appearance since April 13, 2014 vs. NSH . . . Hurricanes forward Nathan Gerbe played in his 300th NHL game . . . The Devils added Scott Stevens and Adam Oates to their coaching staff. The duo will combine with general manager Lou Lamoriello to replace former head coach Peter DeBoer.

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Toronto @ Florida, 5:00 p.m., TVA, SNO, FS-F
Vancouver @ Anaheim, 8:00 p.m., CITY, TVA, PRIME
NBCSN Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

HOMETOWN HOCKEY TOUR STOPS IN PETERBOROUGH
Pacific Division rivals Vancouver and Anaheim meet for the third time in 2014-15 as Rogers Hometown Hockey visits Peterborough, Ont. Every Rogers Sunday Night Hockey game this season will be broadcast from a different community rink in various towns across Canada. Included in each telecast will be local NHL player profiles, grassroots stories and local entertainment features.

Click here for more information about this week’s broadcast.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information.