MACKINNON LIFTS AVALANCHE TO OVERTIME VICTORY
Nathan MacKinnon (1-1—2) scored his second overtime goal of the season (4th career) to lift the Avalanche to an 8-2-1 in home games this season, five home wins shy of matching their total from 2016-17 (13-26-2).

* MacKinnon, who led the Avalanche in assists (37) and points (53) last season, paces the club with 8-20—28 in 23 GP in 2017-18, including 2-6—8 over his last five contests.

QUICK CLICKS

· Nicholle Anderson Hockey Fights Cancer blog: Battle never ends

· ‘The NHL: 100 Years’ helps Hall of Famers appreciate League history

· Cancer patient inspired by honor as 21st Duck

· Penguins donate 2017 Stanley Cup ring

· Vote Now: Greatest NHL Uniforms

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

NBC Sports Channel Finder | Sportsnet Channel Finder | NHL Network Channel Finder

OVECHKIN, CAPITALS AIM TO CONTINUE HOT STREAK AGAINST KINGS
After recording his third hat trick of the season in dramatic fashion on Saturday, Alex Ovechkin aims to lead the Capitals (14-10-1, 29 points) to a fourth straight win when the Kings (14-8-3, 31 points) visit Capital One Arena. Ovechkin, who began the season with hat tricks in each of Washington’s first two games, leads the League with 18 goals this season, including five on the team’s three-game win streak.

* Only four players in NHL history have recorded consecutive hat tricks multiple times in a season: RegNoble(1917-18), Joe Malone (1917-18), Mike Bossy (1980-81) and Wayne Gretzky (1983-84).

HAT TRICK-SCORING STARS VISIT BLACKHAWKS
The Stars (13-10-1, 27 points), winners of two straight games, head to Chicago for the first half of a home-and-home set against the Blackhawks (12-9-3, 27 points). Dallas has received a hat trick in each of its past two games, one from Tyler Seguin (Nov. 24 vs. CGY) and the other from Radek Faksa (Nov. 28 at VGK).

* Only 10 teams in the NHL’s modern era (since 1943-44) have had a player score a hat trick in three consecutive games; the Capitals are the only team to achieve the feat in the past 24 years, doing so from Feb. 7-11, 2010 (Alex Ovechkin, Brooks Laich, Alexander Semin).