* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the teams established an NHL record by combining to score four goals in a 49-second stretch spanning the first and second periods, the first of which was a penalty shot marker from Stars forward Travis Moen at19:49 of the first period.

* Schwartz (3-0—3) has set a new career-high in goals (28) and continues to add to his career-best point total (28-33—61). The Blues have seven total hat tricks this season, their highest total since they recorded nine in 1993-94, including two from both Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. This marks the first time the Blues have had multiple hat tricks from two different players since Brett Hull (3) and Brendan Shanahan (4) in 1993-94.

* Including Schwartz, six other Blues recorded multi-point games: Patrik Berglund (2-0—2, second consecutive multi-point game), Alex Pietrangelo (1-1—2, including GWG),Zbynek Michalek (1-1—2, first multi-point game with STL, and first since March 8, 2011 w/ PIT vs. BUF), Jay Bouwmeester (0-2—2), Kevin Shattenkirk (0-2—2) andT.J. Oshie (0-2—2).

…TOEWS, BLACKHAWKS RALLY TO KEEP PACE
Facing a 3-2 deficit late in the third period, Jonathan Toews (2-0—2) scored twice in 47 seconds in the final two minutes of regulation to propel the Blackhawks to their fourth consecutive victory. With the win, the Blackhawks improved to 48-24-6 (102 points) to sit third in the Central Division and just one point behind the Predators and Blues for the division lead.

* According to Elias, Friday’s game marked only the fifth time in NHL history that a team won a non-overtime game in which it trailed in the last two minutes of the third period with the same player scoring the tying and winning goals. The other players to pull off that feat were Vic Stasiuk (Mar. 21, 1959 w/ BOS vs. MTL), Anders Hedberg (Oct. 26, 1980 w/ NYR vs. DET), Vincent Damphousse (Jan. 6, 1997 w/ MTL vs. HFD) andVladimir Tsyplakov (Jan. 20, 1998 w/ LAK vs. CGY).

* Toews (2-0—2) extended his point streak to five games (5-1—6) and leads the team in goals (28), assists (38), points (66) and game-winning goals (7). His seven game-winning tallies is just one shy of his career-high (8) set in 2010-11.

* Brandon Saad (0-2—2) recorded two assists to surpass 50 points in a season for the first time in his career (22-29—51). He has established career-highs in goals, assists and points this season. Andrew Shaw (0-2—2) also added a pair of assists.

* Scott Darling made 35 saves to improve to 9-3-0 this season with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. The rookie netminder has won his last three decisions (3-0-0).

SHARKS, AVALANCHE KEEP HEAT ON WILD CARD RACE
The San Jose Sharks (39-30-9, 87 points) and Colorado Avalanche (36-30-12, 84 points) were both victorious on Friday to sit three and six points, respectively, behind Los Angeles (38-25-14, 90 points) for the final Wild Card position in the Western Conference.

* Joe Pavelski (1-0—1) matched a career-high with his team-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season for the Sharks, who have earned at least a point in five consecutive contests (4-0-1). Elias says Pavelski’s 37th goal of the season marked the seventh straight game against the Coyotes in which Pavelski has scored a goal, the longest current streak of that sort by any active NHL player against any team.

* Logan Couture (1-1—2) set a new career-high with 66 points (27-39—66), besting his previous mark of 31-34—65 set in 2011-12.

* Patrick Marleau (0-2—2) extended his point streak to three games (1-3—4).

* Antti Niemi made 20 saves to improve to 30-22-7 this season with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. It is the fourth time in his career he has earned at least 30 wins in a season.

* Matt Duchene (1-1—2) scored on a breakaway at 9:08 of the third period to help keep the Avalanche’s season alive with a 4-2 win over Anaheim. Duchene’s marker was his fourth game-winning goal of the season, tying him for the team lead.

* Tyson Barrie (0-2—2) pushed his career-high point total to 51 this season (12-39—51). Barrie is just the fourth defenseman since the franchise moved to Colorado to reach the 50-point mark in a season, joining Sandis Ozolinsh (4 times), Rob Blake (twice) and Ray Bourque (once).

* Dennis Everberg (1-1—2) recorded the second multi-point game of his career.

* Reto Berra made 35 saves – which matched a season-high – to improve to 4-4-1 this season with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

KINKAID BACKSTOPS DEVILS TO SHOOTOUT WIN
Keith Kinkaid made 31 saves through regulation and overtime, then stopped both shooters he faced in the shootout to backstop the Devils to a 3-2 win over the Canadiens.

* Kinkaid improved to 6-5-3 this season with a 2.42 goals-against average, .920 save percentage and has won four of his last five decisions (4-1-0). Elias says Kinkaid is only the second Devils rookie ever to record a victory against the Canadiens, joining Martin Brodeur, who did so twice in 1993-94.

* Stefan Matteau (1-0—1) and Reid Boucher (1-0—1) each potted their first goals of the season while Jacob Josefson and Patrik Elias converted for the Devils in the shootout.

COMMISSIONER BETTMAN STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF ELMER LACH
National Hockey League Commissioner Gary Bettman today released the following statement regarding the passing of Montreal Canadiens great Elmer Lach:

"The National Hockey League deeply mourns the passing of Elmer Lach -- center on Montreal's legendary 'Punch Line' with Toe Blake and Maurice Richard, owner of the sole assist on Richard's 50th goal in 50 games in 1944-45 and someone who, at 97 years of age, was just a few months younger than the League itself. The League sends heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of this three-time Stanley Cup champion, two-time scoring champion and 1945 Hart Trophy winner."

LOOSE PUCKS
The Canadiens earned a point in their shootout loss to the Devils to move two points ahead of the idle Lightning for first in the Atlantic Division…Stars forward Travis Moenconverted on his first career penalty shot attempt. Elias says at 32 years, 262 days, Moen was the oldest player in franchise history to convert on his first career penalty shot attempt and also the oldest player in franchise history to score on a penalty shot…Alex Tanguay (0-1—1) recorded his 464th point as a member of the Avalanche (163-301—464) to tie Dale Hunter (142-322—464) for seventh on the franchise’s all-time points list…Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa (0-1—1) extended his point streak to four games (1-4—5)...Sabres defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen set a career-high with 0-3—3 to extend his career-high point streak to four games (3-4—7)…Sabres forward Brian Gionta (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (1-4—5) and has recorded 4-8—12 in his last 10 contests…Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (1-0—1) extended his point streak to a career-high four games (3-1—4). Petry has also scored in three consecutive games for the first time in his career... Stars forward Jamie Benn (2-1—3) recorded at least three points in a game for the sixth time this season and extended his point streak to three games (3-3—6)...Teammate Tyler Seguin (1-2—3) posted his seventh game this season with at least three-points to extend his point streak to three games (3-3—6)... Ducks forward Jiri Sekac (1-1—2) posted his fourth multi-point performance of the season...Coyotes defenseman Michael Stone skated in the 200th game of his NHL career.

SATURDAY’S CLINCHING SCENARIOS
* The Capitals would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Senators in regulation.

* The Islanders would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Sabres in any fashionAND the Senators lose in regulation.

* The Wild would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Red Wings in regulation or overtimeAND any of the following occurs:

- the Flames lose in regulation
- the Flames lose in overtime or shootout AND either the Jets or Kings lose in regulation
- both the Jets and Kings lose in regulation

The Wild would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Red Wings in a shootoutANDany of the following occurs:

- the Flames lose in any fashion AND either the Jets or Kings lose in regulation
- both the Jets and Kings lose in regulation

The Wild cannot clinch a playoff berth Saturday if they lose in any fashion.

* The Canucks would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Jets in regulation, ANDeither the Flames lose in any fashion or the Kings lose in regulation

The Canucks would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Jets in overtime, AND the Flames lose in any fashion AND the Kings lose in regulation

The Canucks would clinch a playoff berth if they defeat the Jets in a shootout, ANDboth the Flames and Kings lose in regulation.

The Canucks cannot clinch a playoff berth Saturday if they lose in any fashion.

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Philadelphia @ Carolina, 1:00 p.m., CSN-PH, FS-CR
Pittsburgh @ Columbus, 2:00 p.m., SN360, ROOT, FS-O
Vancouver @ Winnipeg, 3:00 p.m., NHLN-US, SNP, TSN3
Toronto @ Boston, 7:00 p.m., CBC, NESN
Washington @ Ottawa, 7:00 p.m., NHLN-US, TVA, SN, CSN-DC
Tampa Bay @ Florida, 7:00 p.m., SUN, FS-F
Buffalo @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, MSG+
New Jersey @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., MSG+ 2, MSG
Detroit @ Minnesota, 7:00 p.m., CITY, FS-D+, FS-N
Dallas @ Nashville, 8:00 p.m., FS-SW+, FS-TN
San Jose @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m., CSN-CA PLUS, FS-A PLUS
Calgary @ Edmonton, 10:00 p.m., CBC
Colorado @ Los Angeles, 10:00 p.m., TVA, SN, ALT, FS-W
NBCSN Channel Finder
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JOCKEYING FOR POSITION…
Of the 13 games on Saturday’s schedule, 12 feature at least one team in or within three points of a playoff berth.

PLAYOFF RACES HIGHLIGHT HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Hockey Night in Canada will feature five games on Saturday night, all of which have implications on playoff positioning. In the Eastern Conference, the Bruins (40-25-13, 93 points), who have won four straight games and hold the final Wild Card position, will host the Maple Leafs while the Senators (39-26-12, 90 points), who sit three back of Boston, host the Capitals (43-25-10, 96 points). In the West, the Flames (42-29-7, 91 points) visit the rival Oilers while holding third spot in the Pacific Division, just one point ahead of the Kings (38-25-14, 90 points), who will host the Avalanche and hold down the second Wild Card spot in the West. The Red Wings (40-24-13, 93 points), look to hold their grip on third place in the Atlantic Division when they visit the Wild (44-26-7, 95 points) who hold the first Wild Card position in the West.

RACE TO THE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS CONTINUES
Several other games on Saturday’s schedule showcase the race to the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs:

* The Canucks (45-28-5, 95 points) hold second spot in the Pacific Division when they visit the Jets (39-26-12, 90 points), who are tied – in terms of points – with the Kings for the final Wild Card position in the Western Conference. The Canucks are 2-0-0 versus the Jets this season.

* The Lightning visit the Panthers in a game pivotal to both Atlantic Division clubs. The Lightning (47-24-8, 102 points) sit two points behind the idle Canadiens for first in the division, while the Panthers (36-27-15, 87 points) look to stay in the Wild Card race where they are currently six points behind the Bruins. The Lightning hold an edge in the season series with a 2-1-0 record.

* In the Metropolitan Division, the first place Rangers (49-21-7, 105 points) host the Devils, the third place Islanders (45-27-6, 96 points) host the Sabres and the Penguins (42-24-11, 95 points), who hold the first Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference, visit the Blue Jackets who have won eight games in a row.

* The Predators (47-22-9, 103 points) host the Stars and will look to leapfrog the idle Blues (48-23-7, 103 points) for sole possession of first place in the Central Division. The Predators are 3-0-0 in head-to-head matchups against the Stars this season.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.