ZIDLICKY, GREISS HELP ISLANDERS CLIMB METROPOLITAN STANDINGS
Marek Zidlicky scored twice and Thomas Greiss turned aside all 27 shots he faced to help the Islanders extend their point streak to 10 games (8-0-2), their longest such run since April 1-23, 2013 (8-0-3).

* At 18-8-5 (41 points), the Islanders leapfrogged the idle Rangers (18-9-4, 40 points) for second place in the Metropolitan Division, where the top three teams are separated by just two points. The Rangers held an 11-point advantage over the Islanders on Nov. 25.

* The Islanders improved to 7-0-2 against Metropolitan Division opponents this season. They are the only team that has yet to suffer a regulation loss versus a divisional foe.

* Zidlicky, who spent parts of four seasons with the Devils (22-70—92 in 214 GP), recorded his 10th career multi-goal game and first since April 13, 2014 vs. BOS (2-0—2 w/ NJD). He also became the first Islanders defenseman to post a multi-goal game since March 5, 2011 vs. STL (Andrew MacDonald: 2-0—2).

* Greiss earned his fourth career shutout and first since Jan. 28, 2014 vs. LAK (30 SV w/ PHX). He improved to 9-3-2 in his first 14 appearances with the Islanders, including four straight wins.

VARLAMOV’S 42 SAVES CARRY AVALANCHE PAST BLUES
Semyon Varlamov made a season-high 42 saves, including 34 over the final two periods, to backstop the Avalanche to their fifth victory in their past seven outings.

* Per Elias, Varlamov improved to 12-3-3 in 18 career regular-season games when making 40 or more saves. His 12 such victories, all with the Avalanche, are a franchise record and four more than the next-closest goaltender (Patrick Roy: 8).

* Varlamov, who has won three straight decisions, has stopped 160 of 167 shots over his last five games (.958 SV%). He owns a 9-8-1 record in 19 total appearances this season.

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa (1,200), Canucks forward Radim Vrbata (900) and Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson (500) all played in milestone games.

* Blackhawks forward Brandon Mashinter scored his first NHL goal (36 GP).

LOOSE PUCKS
Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko celebrated his 24th birthday by notching his 18th goal of the season (30 GP). Twelve of his goals have come on home ice (16 GP) – that ranks second in the NHL behind Stars captain Jamie Benn (14) . . . Islanders captain John Tavares recorded his team-leading 13th goal of the season (28 GP) . . . Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin collected one assist. He paces all rookies in assists (20) and points (29) this season (31 GP) . . . Avalanche forward John Mitchell set a career high with his third game-winning goal of the season (20 GP) . . . The Islanders improved to 8-0-1 in their last nine meetings with the Devils dating to March 29, 2014 (NJD: 1-4-4) . . . REMINDER: The Department of Player Safety will have a hearing today with Ducks forward Nate Thompson for an illegal check to the head of Hurricanes defensemanJustin Faulk.

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Edmonton @ Boston, 7:00 p.m., TVAS, SNW, NESN
Washington @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., NHLN-US, SNE, SNO, SNP, CSN-DC, ROOT
Tampa Bay @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., SUN, FS-O
Los Angeles @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., FS-W, TSN5, RDS
Buffalo @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, FS-D+
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SULLIVAN MAKES DEBUT AS PENGUINS FACE CAPITALS
Newly appointed head coach Mike Sullivan makes his debut behind the Pittsburgh bench when the Penguins (15-10-3, 33 points) play host to the rival Capitals (20-6-2, 42 points) at CONSOL Energy Center. Sullivan, who owns a 70-56-38 career record in 164 games as an NHL head coach, last served behind an NHL bench from 2003-06 (w/ BOS). He spent the start of this season with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, leading the team to an 18-5-0 record and first place in its division.

“For me, I’ve always had an honest, straightforward approach,” Sullivan said. “I hope I can inspire these guys to play a certain way. My hope is that we can work together to try to create a consistent game plan. For me, the only way I know how to do it is through an honest and candid assessment of where we’re at and where we can go. I hope that resonates with the players.”

This marks the second of five meetings in 2015-16 between the Penguins and Capitals. Pittsburgh won their first affair, 3-1 on Oct. 28, behind a trio of third-period goals and 33 saves from Marc-Andre Fleury. Overall, the Penguins boast an 11-4-0 record in their past 15 matchups with the Capitals dating to Dec. 1, 2011 (WSH: 4-10-1). Washington, however, is 10-4-1 in its last 15 regular-season visits to Pittsburgh dating to Jan. 21, 2008 (PIT: 5-8-2).

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department