FORSBERG NETS SECOND CONSECUTIVE HAT TRICK
Filip Forsberg (3-0—3) recorded his second hat trick in as many games as the Predators (29-22-9, 67 points) improved to 3-1-1 in their last five contests to maintain their lead over the Flames (31-26-4, 66 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Nashville also tied St. Louis (31-24-5, 67 points) – in terms of points – for third place in the Central Division.

* Elias notes that Forsberg, who posted 3-0—3 vs. CGY on Tuesday, became the first player in franchise history to record hat tricks in consecutive games. He also is the first NHL player to achieve the feat since Vancouver’s Alexandre Burrows did so on Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, 2010.

* Forsberg (242 GP), who has spent his entire career with Nashville, netted his fourth career regular-season hat trick to tie Steve Sullivan (317 GP w/ NSH) for the most in Predators franchise history.

MORE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS EARN VALUABLE POINTS
The Rangers, Islanders, Bruins and Flames each picked up victories to gain valuable points in their respective playoff races.

* Rangers forward J.T. Miller tied the game in the third period and Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves – including two game-saving breakaway stops in the final minute of overtime – as New York improved to 8-1-1 in its past 10 games. The Rangers (39-19-2, 80 points) recorded their League-leading 20th road win of the season to leapfrog the idle Blue Jackets (37-16-5, 79 points) for third place in the Metropolitan Division.

* Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier, a native of nearby Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, brought his father to tears after scoring what stood as his first career game-winning goal while playing an NHL game in Montreal for the first time. Thomas Greiss (24 saves) earned his career-high third shutout of the season as the Islanders (29-21-10, 68 points) jumped into the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot.

* David Pastrnak scored his sixth game-winning goal of the season to help the Bruins (31-24-6, 68 points) pick up their fifth win in their last six contests, moving into a tie – in terms of points – with the Islanders for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. New York, however, holds a game in hand.

* Sean Monahan scored the 100th goal of his NHL career as the Flames improved to 7-2-1 in their last 10 contests and 5-1-1 in their last seven road games. Calgary (31-26-4, 66 points) kept pace with Nashville (29-22-9, 67 points) as the teams hold the two Western Conference Wild Card spots.

LOOSE PUCKS
Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist earned his 402nd career win to surpass Chris Osgood (401) for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list; he also moved within one of tying Grant Fuhr (403) for 10th place . . . Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata scored to extend his point streak to seven games (2-5—7) . . . Kings defenseman Kevin Gravel scored the first goal of his NHL career (45 GP) . . . Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman skated in his 600th NHL game . . . Claude Julien (MTL) became the 27th head coach in NHL history to coach 1,000 games . . . The NHL and PPG announced a multi-year corporate marketing agreement, making the company's paint brands the official paint of the NHL in the United States and Canada . . . The Panthers hosted a screening of Soul On Ice, while the Lightning and Predators each hosted Pride Night as part of Hockey Is For Everyone month.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Edmonton @ Washington, 7 p.m., NHLN, SN, TVAS, CSN-DC
Ottawa @ Carolina, 7:30 p.m., FS-CR, TSN5, RDS
Calgary @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, SNW
Arizona @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., FS-SW+, FS-A PLUS
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CAPITALS LOOK TO MATCH FRANCHISE RECORD HOME WINNING STREAK
The League-leading Capitals (40-12-7, 87 points) look to equal a franchise record with a 13th consecutive home win when they host the Oilers (33-20-8, 74 points) at Verizon Center. Washington, who has scored at least five goals in 11 straight home contests, sits three points up on Minnesota (39-14-6, 84 points) atop the League standings. Edmonton, meanwhile, is 4-1-0 in its last five contests and sits three points back of San Jose (35-18-7, 77 points) for the top spot in the Pacific Division.

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department