BLUE JACKETS FILL THE NET (AGAIN)
The Blue Jackets erupted for eight goals – highlighted by a four-assist performance by Cam Atkinson – to earn their fifth consecutive victory at Nationwide Arena (after an 0-2-0 start on home ice) and improve to 5-1-1 in their past seven contests overall.

* The Blue Jackets scored at least eight goals in a game for just the fifth time in franchise history and second time in the past eight days (also Nov. 4 vs. MTL: 10-0 W). The other instances: March 7, 2009 at DET (8-2 W), March 25, 2010 vs. CHI (8-3 W) and Nov. 10, 2010 vs. STL (Nov. 10, 2010: 8-1 W).

* Atkinson, who entered the contest with four assists in his first 12 games this season, established a career-high for assists in a game while posting his second four-point performance (also Dec. 10, 2013 vs. NJD: 2-2—4).

KEEP IT ROLLING
A number of players and teams continued their early-season success:

* TuukkaRask made 30 saves to backstop the Bruins to their sixth victory in the past eight games. Rask improved to 9-1-0 this season (1.69 GAA, .941 SV%, 2 SO) to become the third goaltender in franchise history to win nine of his first 10 appearancesin a season, joining Frank Brimsek (1938-39) and Gerry Cheevers (1976-77) who also started 9-1-0.

* Matt Murray made 35 saves as Pittsburgh improved to 7-1-1 on home ice. Murray moved to 11-0-0 in his past 11 decisions in the regular-season dating to March 6 at NJD (1.80 GAA, .938 SV%, 2 SO). Sidney Crosby posted 1-1—2 in Saturday’s win to move into a share of second in the League with 10 goals this season (9 GP). Elias notes that his 10 goals are the most he has scored through nine games in his 12-season NHL career, three more than his previous best (2013-14 and 2014-15).

* Kyle Palmieri scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period to help the Devils sweep their second straight home-and-home series (vs. BUF and CAR) and improve to 6-0-1 at Prudential Center this season. Elias notes that the Devils have points in each of their first seven home games to start a season for the third time in franchise history (also 1987-88: 8-0-1 and 1990-91: 7-0-1).

PANTHERS RALLY PAST ISLANDERS IN FIRST MEETING SINCE 2016 PLAYOFFS
The Panthers scored three unanswered goals – two in the third period and one in overtime – to defeat the Islanders in their first meeting since the opening round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs, a six-game series in which three contests went past regulation (all NYI wins).

* Jonathan Marchessault scored the tying goal with 13.6 seconds left in regulation before DenisMalgin sealed the victory in the extra frame. Elias says that Malgin, 19, became the second teenager in franchise history to score an overtime goal (also Stephen Weiss: Jan. 25, 2003 vs. CAR).

LOOSE PUCKS
Hurricanes teammates Teuvo Teravainen (1-3—4) and Jordan Staal (1-3—4) established and matched career highs for points in a game, respectively. Staal also hit the 400-career point plateau . . . Filip Forsberg (1-1—2), who matched a franchise record with 33 goals in 2015-16, scored his first goal of the season as the Predators extended their point streak to six games (4-0-2) on the heels of a 2-5-1 start . . . The Sharks have started their six-game road trip with three straight wins . . . The Flyers improved to 9-2-1 in 12 all-time meetings with the Wild in Philadelphia . . . Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko (1-3—4) matched career highs for assists and points in a game . . . Predators forward James Neal (2-0—2) scored for the fourth straight game (5-1—6) . . . Rangers forward Pavel Buchnevich also scored for a fourth straight game (4-2—6) . . . Hurricanes forward Sebastian Aho scored the first two goals of his NHL career (14 GP) . . . Panthers forward Kyle Rau (18 GP) and Blue Jackets defenseman Markus Nutivaara (13 GP) also each scored their first NHL goal . . . Bruins captain Zdeno Chara registered his 400th career assist . . . Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf played in his 800th career NHL game.

SNEAK PEEK AT SUNDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Los Angeles @ Winnipeg, 2 p.m., TSN3, FS-W
Dallas @ Vancouver, 4 p.m., SNP, FS-SW
Minnesota @ Ottawa, 5 p.m., TVAS, TSN5, FS-N, FS-WI
Boston @ Colorado, 7 p.m., ALT, NESN
Montreal @ Chicago, 7 p.m., SN, WGN, RDS
NY Rangers @ Edmonton, 9:30 p.m., SN1, MSG
NBC Sports Channel Finder
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HOMETOWN HOCKEY TOUR STOPS IN MONTREAL
Two of the top teams in the NHL meet at United Center when the Canadiens (13-1-1, 27 points) visit the Blackhawks (10-3-2, 22 points) on Rogers Hometown Hockey, which makes its fifth stop of the season in Montreal. The contest also marks the return to Chicago for forward Andrew Shaw, who won the Stanley Cup twice with the Blackhawks before being acquired by the Canadiens in June.

* Throughout 2016-17, Sunday games 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 details about the festivities in Montreal.

* Click here for the full schedule of stops for the 2016-17 season.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the informaton above.