60 IS NOT ENOUGH
Five of Wednesday’s six games required overtime:
* The Capitals erased a three-goal deficit in the third period, but Jeff Carter (1-1—2) scored at 2:50 of overtime to lift the Kings to their seventh victory in their past nine games and back into first place in the Pacific Division. At 40-22-4 (66 GP), Los Angeles reached the 40-win milestone in the fewest games in franchise history, besting the previous mark established in 2009-10 (67 GP).
* The Predators overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period (including the tying goal with 1:18 remaining in regulation), but Mikael Backlund scored at 1:12 of overtime to power the Flames to a 2-0-1 record in their last three outings. Calgary improved to 9-3 in games decided in overtime this season; their nine such wins are tied for second in the NHL, behind only Los Angeles (10-2).
* Down 2-0 in the second period, the Canucks scored three unanswered goals – including the winner by Markus Granlund at 1:42 of overtime – to pick up their second victory in their past three contests. Granlund, who was acquired Feb. 22, notched his first goal with Vancouver (1-1—2 in 7 GP) and first career goal in overtime (93 GP).
* The Blackhawks tied the game with 1:17 remaining in regulation, but Kevin Shattenkirk(0-1—1) scored the decisive goal in the shootout to propel the Blues to their fourth consecutive victory and within one point of first place in the Central Division and Western Conference.
* William Nylander scored the tying goal with 1:13 remaining in regulation and Nikita Soshnikov potted the winner in the shootout to help the Maple Leafs snap a six-game skid (0-5-1).
Kukla's Korner Hockey
NHL Short Notes
DID YOU KNOW?
Flames forward Johnny Gaudreau (2-1—3) scored twice in 10 seconds, the second-fastest pair of goals by one player in franchise history. Lanny McDonald holds the record, with two goals in six seconds on March 22, 1984 vs. DET.
* Elias adds that Gaudreau notched the fastest two goals by any player since Nov. 14, 2014, when Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal scored twice in nine seconds at VAN.
* Gaudreau is tied for sixth in the NHL with 26-40—66 overall this season (66 GP), besting his rookie totals of 24-40—64 from 2014-15 (80 GP). That includes points on eight of Calgary’s nine overtime goals (3-5—8).
VARLAMOV, AVALANCHE SNAP DUCKS’ POINT STREAK AT 14
Semyon Varlamov stopped all 37 shots he faced to lead the Avalanche to their second straight win and snap the Ducks’ point streak at 14 games (12-0-2), two shy of the franchise record established Oct. 6 – Nov. 9, 2006 (12-0-4).
* At 35-30-4 (74 points), the Avalanche leapfrogged the idle Wild (31-26-10, 72 points) for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Colorado owns the ROW tiebreaker (COL: 32, MIN: 30), but Minnesota holds two games in hand.
* Varlamov earned his 20th career shutout and second of the season (also Dec. 15 at CHI: 29 SV). He improved to 10-4-1 when facing 35 or more shots on goal in 2015-16.
HOME TEAMS SWEEP WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
Home teams swept Wednesday’s six-game slate to improve to 530-353-121 overall this season (.588 points percentage).
MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Coyotes captain Shane Doan played in his 1,452nd career game to move past Teemu Selanne (1,451) and into sole possession of 23rd place in NHL history.
* Predators defenseman Anthony Bitetto, a sixth-round selection (168th overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft, scored his first career goal (30 GP).
* Head coach Darryl Sutter recorded his 178th win with the Kings to tie Bob Pulford for second place in franchise history.
LOOSE PUCKS
Despite suffering the overtime loss, the Predators extended their overall point streak to 14 games (9-0-5) and road point streak to 13 games (10-0-3), both franchise records . . . The Islanders picked up at least one point for the eighth time in their last nine games (7-1-1) . . . Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly scored while celebrating his 22nd birthday . . . Capitals forward T.J. Oshie (1-1—2) reached the 20-goal milestone for the second time (also 2013-14 w/ STL: 21 G) . . . Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (3-2—5) . . . Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy (1-1—2) notched his third consecutive multi-point game (1-5—6), a first in his career . . . The NHL suspended Coyotes defenseman Jarred Tinordi for 20 games for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program . . . The Department of Player Safety fined Devils forward Tuomo Ruutu$5,000 for slew-footing Penguins forward Matt Cullen . . . ICYMI: The Department of Player Safety will have hearings today with Bruins defenseman John-Michael Liles and Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse . . . GoPro released the latest video in its NHL After Dark series, featuring Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith . . . The Kings honored Capitals teammates Justin Williamsand Mike Richards in their returns to STAPLES Center.
SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Carolina @ Boston, 7:00 p.m., TVAS, FS-CR, NESN
Buffalo @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., SN, SN360, MSG-B, RDS
Winnipeg @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., NHLN-US, TSN3, FS-D
Ottawa @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., TSN5, RDS2, FS-F
Edmonton @ Minnesota, 8:00 p.m., SNW, FS-N
New Jersey @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., MSG+, CSN-CA
the above information was provided by the NHL PR department
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