DID YOU KNOW?
Thursday marked the fourth consecutive day that 10 or more goals were scored in at least one NHL game. Elias notes that this is the longest stretch of days with at least one game featuring 10 or more goals since a five-day run from Feb. 12-16, 2009.

WESTERN POWERS CONTINUE HOT STREAKS
The Wild (29-10-5, 63 points) and Ducks (26-13-9, 61 points) each earned victories to improve their position in the race for top spot in the Central and Pacific Division standings, respectively:

* Nino Niederreiter (2-1—3) and Jason Pominville (0-3—3) each collected three points to help the Wild improve to 6-1-1 in January and reclaim sole possession of first place in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota has earned points in 20 of its past 22 games dating to Dec. 2 (18-2-2).

* Nick Ritchie scored the go-ahead goal with 2:02 remaining in regulation to help Anaheim extend their point streak to six games (5-0-1). John Gibson made 21 saves to improve to 8-1-2 in his past 11 appearances dating to Dec. 29, leading the League in wins (8), goals-against average (1.44) and save percentage (.953) in that span (min. 5 GP).

OTHER CLUBS GAIN GROUND IN PLAYOFF RACE
The Rangers (29-16-1, 59 points), Sharks (28-16-2, 58 points), Senators (24-15-4, 52 points) and Predators (21-17-7, 49 points) each secured victories to gain ground in the playoff race:

* Michael Grabner (2-0—2) eclipsed 20 goals for the third time in his NHL career (also 2010-11 and 2011-12 w/ NYI) to guide the Rangers to their League-leading 16th road win of the season (16-7-0, 32 points).

* Logan Couture scored the go-ahead goal 22 seconds into the third period to lift the Sharks to their third consecutive win and into second place in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of the Oilers (25-15-7, 57 points).

* Mike Condon made a career-high 42 saves to register his third shutout of the season (fourth career) as the Senators improved to 4-1-0 in their past five outings to move into a tie with the Bruins (23-19-6, 52 points) – in terms of points – for second place in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa, however, holds five games in hand.

* The Flames scored three straight goals in the final 3:43 of regulation, but Filip Forsberg’s marker early in the third period stood as the winning tally as the Predators improved to 4-1-0 in their past five outings, with Forsberg netting each of the past three decisive goals. The Predators displaced the Kings (22-19-4, 48 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

ISLANDERS BLANK STARS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT SHUTOUT
John Tavares (2-0—2) registered his third multi-goal outing in his last four games (7-0—7) and Thomas Greiss (23 saves) posted his second straight shutout – a first in his NHL career – to guide the Islanders to victory in their first game with interim head coach Doug Weight behind the bench.

LOOSE PUCKS
Maple Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk (0-1—1) extended his career-high point streak to nine games (3-10—13) . . . Senators forward Kyle Turris (3-4—7), Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (0-8—8) and Wild forward Mikael Granlund (0-6—6) each extended their point streak to five games . . . The Flames and Predators honored referee Tom Kowalin a pre-game ceremony ahead of his 1,000th career NHL game . . . The NHL announced the addition of five new stops on the NHL Centennial Fan Arena traveling tour . . . The NHL announced the details of the 2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills Competition, which will be preceded by the 2017 NHL All-Star Celebrity Shootout on Saturday, Jan. 28 . . . NHL Network announced that nine-year NHL veteran Ryan Whitney has joined as an on-air analyst . . . Academy Award and 10-time Grammy winner John Legend, and Grammy-nominated recording artists Robin Thicke and John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting will join host Jon Hamm for THE NHL100 presented by GEICO.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Chicago @ Boston, 7 p.m., SN1, TVAS, NHLN-US, NESN, CSN-CH
Detroit @ Buffalo, 7 p.m., MSG-B, FS-D
Pittsburgh @ Carolina, 7 p.m., FS-CR, ROOT
Montreal @ New Jersey, 7:30 p.m., MSG+, SNE, RDS
Nashville @ Edmonton, 9 p.m., SNW, FS-TN
Florida @ Vancouver, 10 p.m., SNP, FS-F
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HENRIK SEDIN EYES 1,000-POINT MILESTONE AGAINST PANTHERS
Canucks captain Henrik Sedin (232-767—999) aims to become the first player in franchise history to reach the 1,000-point milestone when the Panthers visit Rogers Arena. Sedin has a chance to reach the milestone against Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo, his teammate with the Canucks from 2006-14 and Vancouver’s all-time wins leader (252).

the iinformation above was supplied by the NHL PR department