Kukla's Korner Hockey

Kukla's Korner Hockey

NHL Short Notes

03/27/2015 at 11:18am EDT

RANGERS SOLVE HAMMOND, ARE FIRST TO CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH
Even at 1-1 midway through the first period, the Rangers scored four unanswered goals – highlighted by 2-1—3 from Chris Kreider – to improve to 9-2-1 in their last 12 games and become the first team to clinch a berth in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.


* The Rangers clinched their fifth consecutive playoff berth, ninth in the past 10 seasons and 57th in franchise history.

* At 47-19-7 (101 points), the Rangers also moved into first place in the NHL standings and reached the 100-point plateau for the eighth time in club history. The team achieved the milestone in its 73rd game of the season – that is tied for the second-fewest games it has taken the Rangers to record 100 points (also in 1970-71 and 1972-73).

* The Rangers earned their sixth consecutive road victory and improved to 11-1-1 in their last 13 games as visitors dating to Feb. 10. They pace the NHL with 24 road wins and 50 road points (24-10-2); their 24 such victories are one shy of the franchise record set last season.

* Kreider matched a career high for points in one game (in the regular season), last achieved Jan. 21, 2014 vs. NYI (1-2—3). He also reached the 20-goal and 40-point milestones for the first time in his career (20-20—40 in 71 GP).

* Four other Rangers players registered multiple points: Dan Boyle (1-1—2), Mats Zuccarello (1-1—2), Kevin Hayes (0-2—2) and Derek Stepan (0-2—2). Tanner Glass snapped an 84-game drought with his first goal since Jan. 30, 2014 at LAK (w/ PIT).

* Cam Talbot made 23 saves to improve to 16-4-3 in his past 23 appearances and 20-8-4 overall this season (34 GP). Henrik Lundqvist (25-11-3 in 39 GP) also has recorded 20 wins this season.

* Elias says it marks the fifth time in franchise history that two Rangers goaltenders have earned at least 20 wins in the same season. The others: Mike Richter and John Vanbiesbrouck (1991-92) and Ed Giacomin and Gilles Villemure (1970-71, 1971-72 and 1972-73).

* The Rangers improved to 4-1-0 in their last five meetings with the Senators dating to Jan. 18, 2014. They also have won nine of their last 12 regular-season visits to Canadian Tire Centre dating to Jan. 10, 2009 (9-2-1).

KOPITAR LIFTS KINGS BACK INTO PLAYOFF POSITION
Anze Kopitar scored the tiebreaking goal with 4:23 remaining in regulation to power the Kings to a sweep of their three-game trip through New York/New Jersey and extend their road point streak to seven contests (6-0-1).

* At 37-23-14 (88 points), the Kings leapfrogged the idle Flames (40-27-7, 87 points) for third place in the Pacific Division. They also moved within two points of the Canucks (43-27-4, 90 points) – who lost in regulation – for second place in the division. The Kings face both clubs one more time this season, on April 6 at VAN and April 9 at CGY.


* Per Elias, the Kings swept visits to the Devils, Rangers and Islanders (in any order) on one road trip for the third time in franchise history (also 2001-02 and 2013-14). Only two other teams have ever accomplished that feat: the 2006-07 Predators and 2007-08 Ducks.

* Kopitar extended his point streak to five games (2-6—8). He paces the club with 16-44—60 overall (71 GP), marking the eighth time he has reached 60 points in his nine NHL seasons.

* Tyler Toffoli scored his fifth shorthanded goal of the season to move into sole possession of first place in the NHL. He also leads the League with six shorthanded points. Toffoli is the first Kings player to post five shorthanded goals in one season since Pavol Demitra in 2005-06 (5).

* Playing in his 400th NHL game, Jonathan Quick made 25 saves to improve to 16-4-2 in his last 22 appearances dating to Feb. 7 (1.75 GAA, .933 SV%, 3 SO). He owns a 5-1-2 record in eight career games vs. NYI (1.59 GAA, .935 SV%, 1 SO).

* Nick Shore added his first NHL goal (28 GP), while Alec Martinez collected a pair of assists for his first points since returning from injury.

* The Kings have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 13 meetings with the Islanders dating to Feb. 16, 2004 (9-1-3).

GETZLAF’S HEROICS POWER DUCKS TO TOP OF WEST . . .
Ryan Getzlaf earned the primary assist on Corey Perry’s tying goal with 38.5 seconds remaining in regulation and then scored the decisive marker 3:09 into overtime to help the Ducks snap a two-game skid and improve to 6-1-1 in their last eight meetings with the Bruins dating to Oct. 8, 2009.

* At 47-22-7 (101 points), the Ducks leapfrogged the idle Blues (46-21-7, 99 points) for first place in the Western Conference. They also reached the 100-point milestone for the fourth time in franchise history and second consecutive season.

* The Ducks picked up their League-leading 16th win of the season in extra time (OT: 8-2, SO: 8-5).

* At 30-1-7 (.789), the Ducks continue to pace the NHL in one-goal victories and winning percentage. The last time any team had at least 30 one-goal victories in one season was in 2006-07, when both the Devils (32-7-9) and Canucks (30-11-7) did so.

* The Ducks improved to 22-12-4 (48 points) as visitors this season; their 22 road wins are tied for second in the League, while their 48 road points rank third. Only the 2013-14 club has posted more road victories in Ducks history (25-12-4).

* Getzlaf notched his second overtime goal of the season (also Feb. 3 vs. CAR) and the seventh of his career to move past Perry and Teemu Selanne for the most such goals in franchise history.

* Perry scored his team-leading 32nd goal of the season. He ranks second on the Ducks with 32-20—52 overall (61 GP), behind Getzlaf (24-44—68 in 73 GP).

* Frederik Andersen made 27 saves to improve to 32-11-5 in 50 outings this season (2.41 GAA, .913 SV%, 3 SO). That includes a 15-5-3 mark on the road, where he has a 2.44 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and one shutout.

. . . PREDATORS KEEP PACE, MOVE AHEAD IN CENTRAL
Mike Ribeiro and Paul Gaustad scored 40 seconds apart early in the first period to lead the Predators to their third consecutive victory overall and sixth win in their last seven meetings with the Lightning dating to Dec. 15, 2009.

* At 46-21-8 (100 points), the Predators leapfrogged the idle Blues (46-21-7, 99 points) for first place in the Central Division. St. Louis holds one game in hand, but Nashville owns the ROW tiebreaker (NSH: 40, STL: 37).

* The Predators reached the 100-point milestone for the fifth time in franchise history and first time since 2011-12 (48-26-8, 104 points).

* Pekka Rinne made 28 saves to pick up his 40th win of the season, tying Carey Pricefor the League lead. Rinne hit the milestone for the second time in his career (also 2011-12: 43-18-8); he is the only goaltender in Predators history to achieve the feat.

* Rinne also ranks in the top five in the NHL in goals-against average (3rd; 2.08) and save percentage (5th; .927) this season (59 GP).

* Michael Santorelli, who was selected by the Predators in the sixth round (178th overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft, scored his first goal in a Nashville uniform since Nov. 10, 2009 at SJS. The 29-year-old forward was acquired from the Maple Leafs on Feb. 15.

* Santorelli’s goal proved to be the decisive marker, the seventh such tally of his career and second of the season (also Nov. 9 at OTT w/ TOR). He has 1-1—2 in 17 games since joining the Predators.

* The Predators improved to 19-10-2 this season against Eastern Conference opponents, including an 11-4-1 mark versus the Atlantic Division (2-0-0 vs. TBL).

CAPITALS, PANTHERS GAIN GROUND IN EASTERN RACES
Both the Capitals and Panthers earned wins on Thursday to advance their positioning in the Eastern Conference playoff race:


* The Devils scored the tying marker with less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, but Matt Niskanen (1-1—2) recorded his first career overtime goal at 1:13 of the extra period to lift the Capitals to their fourth victory in their past five outings.

* At 40-24-10 (90 points), the Capitals moved within one point of the Penguins (40-23-11, 91 points) – who lost in regulation – for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh, however, owns the ROW tiebreaker (PIT: 37, WSH: 36).

* Braden Holtby made 29 saves to improve to 36-19-9 in 65 appearances this season (2.18 GAA, .925 SV%, 8 SO). His 36 wins are tied for third in the NHL and five shy ofOlie Kolzig’s single-season franchise record (set in 1999-00).

* Karl Alzner (1-1—2) and Eric Fehr supplied the other goals for the Capitals, who won four of their five meetings with the Devils this season.


* Brandon Pirri (2-0—2) recorded his second career multi-goal game (also Feb. 28 vs. BUF: 2-0—2) to lead the Panthers to their third win in their last four contests.

* At 34-26-14 (82 points), the Panthers moved within three points of the Senators (37-25-11, 85 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa, however, holds one game in hand and owns the ROW tiebreaker (OTT: 32, FLA: 26). The teams face off one more time this season, on Sunday at OTT.

* Pirri reached the 20-goal milestone for the first time in his career (20-2—22 in 41 GP). He has scored 16 times in his last 21 games, including seven goals in his past seven outings.

* Jonathan Huberdeau and Steven Kampfer also scored for the Panthers, who have won five of their last six meetings with the Maple Leafs dating to Feb. 4, 2014.

PAVELEC EXTENDS STREAK IN JETS’ VICTORY
Ondrej Pavelec made 39 saves, including 20 in the first period, to extend his personal winning streak to six games and backstop the Jets to their sixth victory in their past seven outings.

* At 39-24-12 (90 points), the Jets moved within one point of the idle Wild (42-25-7, 91 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Minnesota, however, holds one game in hand and owns the ROW tiebreaker (MIN: 38, WPG: 32). The teams face off one more time this season, on April 6 at MIN.


* The Jets earned their fourth consecutive win at MTS Centre, where they are 12-2-2 since Jan. 13.

* Pavelec matched a career high with his sixth consecutive victory, a feat also achieved Nov. 19-30, 2010 (w/ ATL). Elias says his six-game winning streak matches a Jets/Thrashers franchise record shared by Johan Hedberg (Oct. 27 – Nov. 21, 2007) and Al Montoya (Nov. 27 – Dec. 31, 2013).

* Drew Stafford posted one assist to extend his point streak to a career-high eight games (5-6—10). He is the third Jets player to record a point streak of eight games this season, following Mathieu Perreault (Dec. 7-23: 5-4—9) and Michael Frolik (Feb. 21 – March 12: 5-3—8).

* Overall, Stafford has 7-9—16 in 19 games since joining the Jets on Feb. 11. He had 9-15—24 in 50 contests this season with the Sabres.

* Five different players accounted for the Jets’ goals: Mark Scheifele (1-1—2), Jim Slater (1-1—2), Dustin Byfuglien, Adam Lowry and Blake Wheeler. Byfuglien scored in his return from a nine-game absence.

* The Jets have won two of their last three meetings with the Canadiens after recording one victory in their prior 10 head-to-head matchups dating to March 1, 2011 (1-9-0).

MORE THURSDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Notes from the rest of Thursday’s 11-game slate:

* The Sharks scored three goals in both the first and third periods – led by 2-1—3 fromPatrick Marleau – to snap a two-game skid and improve to 11-2-1 in their last 14regular-season meetings with the Red Wings dating to Dec. 6, 2010. Marleau registered his first multi-goal performance since March 13, 2014 at CBJ (2-0—2) and first three-point effort since April 11, 2014 vs. COL (1-2—3). He also reached the 50-point milestone for the 11th time in his career (17-35—52 in 74 GP). Marc-Edouard Vlasicscored 19 seconds after the opening face-off. Logan Couture (1-1—2), Chris Tierney(1-1—2) and Matt Nieto provided the other Sharks goals.

* Reto Berra made 33 saves, including 17 in the third period, to pick up his first win since Nov. 6 vs. TOR (35 SV) and lead the Avalanche to their fourth victory in their past five meetings the Canucks dating to March 27, 2014. Ryan O’Reilly (0-2—2) posted his third consecutive multi-point effort (1-6—7), the third time he has achieved that feat. He also extended his overall point streak to six contests (4-7—11). Jarome Iginlanotched his team-leading 26th goal of the season, his fifth marker in his past seven games. Gabriel Landeskog (1-1—2), Alex Tanguay (1-1—2) and John Mitchell also scored for the Avalanche, who snapped a three-game skid (0-2-1).

* The Penguins raced to a 1-0 lead just 3:54 after the opening face-off, but the Hurricanes scored five consecutive goals – highlighted by 1-2—3 from Eric Staal – to halt a four-game skid (0-2-2). Staal reached the 20-goal milestone for the ninth time in his career (20-27—47 in 68 GP), while Jay McClement, Ryan Murphy, Andrej Nestrasil and Alexander Semin also scored for the Hurricanes. Cam Ward made 27 saves, including 13 in the first period, to improve to 14-7-3 in 24 career regular-seasonappearances vs. PIT (2.35 GAA, .924 SV%).

* The Sabres recorded the tying goal with less than four minutes remaining in regulation, but Sam Gagner scored 56 seconds into overtime to lead the Coyotes to their second consecutive win (both in OT). Gagner (1-1—2) notched his eighth career game-winning goal and second in overtime (also Jan. 24, 2013 vs. LAK w/ EDM).Oliver Ekman-Larsson added 1-1—2, including his 21st goal of the season – the most among defensemen this season and the most ever by a Swedish-born NHL blueliner.

LOOSE PUCKS
Despite suffering the overtime loss, the Bruins (36-25-13, 85 points) earned one point to tie the Senators (37-25-11, 85 points) – in terms of points – for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa still holds that position by virtue of having played one fewer game, but Boston owns the ROW tiebreaker (BOS: 33, OTT: 32) . . . Penguins captain Sidney Crosby posted one assist to move into sole possession of first place in the NHL’s scoring race (24-51—75 in 69 GP) . . . Senators goaltenderAndrew Hammond (17 SV) suffered his first regulation loss, falling to 14-1-1 in 18 appearances (1.85 GAA, .940 SV%, 2 SO) . . . Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagherscored for the fourth consecutive game (4-0—4), the first time he has achieved that feat. He also played in his 200th NHL contest . . . Sabres captain Brian Gionta registered 1-1—2, including the tying goal with 3:37 remaining in regulation . . . Red Wings forwardTomas Tatar scored his team-leading 27th goal of the season . . . Bruins forwardDavid Krejci collected two assists in his first appearance since Feb. 20 . . . Devils forward Steve Bernier recorded the tying goal with 29.2 seconds remaining in regulation . . . Maple Leafs forward Sam Carrick scored his first NHL goal (14 GP) . . . Panthers forward Dave Bolland (400) and Kings defenseman Jake Muzzin (200) played in milestone games . . . Maple Leafs forward Casey Bailey and Senators goaltender Chris Driedger made their NHL debuts . . . The Islanders set a franchise record by not allowing a power-play goal for the 11th consecutive game (25-for-25) . . . The Department of Player Safety suspended Blue Jackets forward Jared Boll for three games for an illegal check to the head of Ducks forward Patrick Maroon . . . ICYMI: The Canucks celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Vancouver Millionaires’ Stanley Cup championship by wearing commemorative jerseys and airing a tribute video. . . The Ducks honored Shaelin Earle, a 14-year-old Make-A-Wish recipient, with their postgame Fireman’s Hat . . . Upper Deck presented 9-year-old Bruins fan Liam Fitzgerald – who became an Internet sensation earlier this season after first-bumping players on the bench – with his own hockey card prior to the ANA-BOS game.


SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Calgary @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., SNW, FS-WI, FS-N+
Columbus @ Chicago, 8:30 p.m., FS-O, CSN-CH
Dallas @ Edmonton, 9:30 p.m., SN1, TXA 21
NBCSN Channel Finder
Sportsnet Channel Finder

BATTLE FOR PLAYOFF POSITIONING IN MINNESOTA
Two teams battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference face off when the Flames (40-27-7, 87 points) visit the Wild (42-25-7, 91 points) at Xcel Energy Center. Calgary currently is the first team on the outside of the postseason picture, sitting one point behind Los Angeles (37-23-14, 88 points) for third place in the Pacific Division and three points behind Winnipeg (39-24-12, 90 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the conference. Minnesota, meanwhile, holds a one-point edge over Winnipeg for the first Wild Card position in the West. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these former Northwest Division rivals; the Wild are 2-0-0 (CGY: 0-1-1), including a 3-2 overtime victory – courtesy of Mikko Koivu – in their most recent matchup on Feb. 18. Overall, Minnesota has won three straight and five of its past six, while Calgary has earned points in four in a row (2-0-2).


the above information was suppled by the NHL PR department

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