FAKSA RECORDS NATURAL HAT TRICK IN A SPAN OF 6:46
Radek Faksa scored three consecutive goals in a span of 6:46 – including two in eight seconds – to record the first hat trick of his NHL career and help the Stars snap the Golden Knights’ home and overall win streaks at eight and five games, respectively. Via Elias:

* Faksa scored the fifth-fastest hat trick in Stars/North Stars franchise history and the second-fastest natural hat trick, behind Bill Goldsworthy on Dec. 11, 1973 vs. LAK (5:32). Faksa also became the second player in franchise history to score twice in a span of eight seconds or less, joining Goldsworthy on Nov. 27, 1971 at LAK(0:07).

* The Stars have recorded hat tricks in each of their last two games (also Tyler Seguin on Nov. 24 vs. CGY). Faksa and Seguin became the third set of Stars/North Stars teammates to score hat tricks in consecutive team games and first since Dino Ciccarelli and Scott Bjugstad respectively did so on March 17 and 19, 1986.

VASILEVSKIY BACKSTOPS LIGHTNING TO TOP OF LEAGUE STANDINGS
Andrei Vasilevskiy turned aside all 34 shots he faced to post his second shutout of the season (sixth career) and help the Lightning (17-5-2, 36 points) move back into first place in the NHL standings. Vasilevskiy improved to 16-3-1 in 2017-18 (2.19 GAA, .933 SV%, 2 SO) and leads all goaltenders in wins this season.

BLUE JACKETS, ISLANDERS CLIMB METROPOLITAN DIVISION
The Blue Jackets (16-8-1, 33 points) and Islanders (15-7-2, 32 points) continued recent strings of success to move into first and second place in the Metropolitan Division, respectively:

* Cam Atkinson and Artemi Panarin each scored in the shootout to power the Blue Jackets to a 7-1-0 record in their last eight games. The Blue Jackets improved to 9-4-0 at Nationwide Arena this season – only the Rangers (10-5-2) have recorded more home wins in 2017-18.

* John Tavares and Anders Lee each collected 1-1—2 to help the Islanders extend their win streak to a season-high four games. The Islanders improved to 8-0-2 at Barclays Center this season and are the only team without a regulation home loss in 2017-18.

ROOKIES CONTINUE TO IMPRESS
* Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev scored his fourth game-winning goal of 2017-18 and ranks second among rookie defensemen with 6-10—16 overall this season, trailing only New Jersey’s Will Butcher (2-16—18). Dion Phaneuf (7 in 2005-06 w/ CGY), Gord Fraser (5 in 1926-27 w/ CHI) and Shayne Gostisbehere (5 in 2015-16 w/ PHI) are the only rookie defensemen in NHL history to record more than four game-winning goals in a season.

* Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (0-1—1) extended his point streak to seven games (3-7—10) and leads all rookies with 6-18—24 overall this season. Barzal became the first Islanders rookie to record at least one point in seven consecutive team games since Kyle Okposo from March 7-21, 2009 (5-5—10 in 8 GP).

QUICK CLICKS

· Blackhawks forward Kane fined $5,000 for slashing

· Wild defenseman Dumba fined for unsportsmanlike conduct

· Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation generating cancer awareness

· Asham helping grow youth hockey as part of Learn To Play

· Greatest NHL Uniforms battle underway

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

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CANADIENS HOST SENATORS IN FINAL MEETING BEFORE NHL100 CLASSIC
The Canadiens (10-12-3, 23 points) host the Senators (8-8-6, 22 points) in their final meeting before the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic on Dec. 16 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa. The Canadiens are 4-0-0 in their last four games against the Senators, including an 8-3 victory in their last meeting on Oct. 30.

thanks to the NHL PR department for the above information