COUTURIER LIFTS FLYERS TO VICTORY IN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR
The Flyers (15-12-7, 37 points) tied the game twice in the second period before Sean Couturier (1-0—1) broke a third-period deadlock to lead Philadelphia to its seventh win in the last eight contests.

* Couturier (16-15—31 in 34 GP) scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season to eclipse his single-season career high of 15 established in 2014-15 (82 GP). He also sits eight points shy of matching his career high for points in a single season (39), accomplished in 2013-14 (82 GP) and matched in 2015-16 (63 GP).

* Brian Elliott has started nine consecutive games in goal for the Flyers, posting a 7-2-0 record with a 2.11 goals-against average and .926 save percentage over that span.

* Robert Hagg – who was selected in the second round (41st overall) by the Flyers in the 2013 NHL Draft – became the third Flyers player (also Travis Sanheim and Nolan Patrick) to score his first career NHL goal this season.

OFFENSE FROM THE DEFENSE HELPS TEAMS CLIMB STANDINGS

The Blue Jackets (21-13-1, 43 points) and Flames (18-14-3, 39 points) each had defensemen play crucial roles in their home victories:

* Seth Jones (1-1—2), who leads all Blue Jackets defensemen with 6-13—19 in 35 GP this season, found the back of the net for the second straight game and the third time in his last four contests to help the Blue Jacketsimprove to 8-2-0 in their last 10 games at Nationwide Arena and move within two points of the idle Capitals (22-12-1, 45 points) for first place in the Metropolitan Division.

* Dougie Hamilton, who ranks second among Flames defensemen with 4-12—16 in 35 GP, scored at 7:57 of the third period to break a 1-1 tie and help the Flames leapfrog the idle Sharks (17-11-4, 38 points) into third place in the Pacific Division.

GOO GOO DOLLS TO HEADLINE WINTER CLASSIC ENTERTAINMENT

Grammy-nominated band Goo Goo Dolls will perform at the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic outdoor game between the Rangers and Sabres at Citi Field on Jan. 1 (1 p.m. ET on NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports). Click here for more information.

QUICK CLICKS

· Ovechkin, Stamkos, Subban, McDavid remain atop All-Star Fan Vote

· Keller packing big game into small frame (via Amalie Benjamin)

· Islanders win bid to build arena at Belmont Park

· VIDEO: Time lapse of Winter Classic rink build at Citi Field

· Lundqvist pays homage to Mets with Winter Classic pads

· Rangers, Sabres go home on 'Road to Winter Classic' (via Amalie Benjamin)

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

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DIVISIONAL RACES TAKE CENTER STAGE

Thursday’s 10-game schedule is highlighted by five games between teams from the same division, with four of those contests featuring clubs within six standings points of each other:

* In the Central Division, two teams tied in terms of points face off when the Blackhawks (17-11-5, 39 points) visit the Stars (18-14-3, 39 points) at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Chicago, whose current season-high five-game winning streak is the longest active stretch in the League, looks to win at least six straight contests for the first time since 2016-17 (7-0-0 from Feb. 19 – Mar. 4).

* In the Metropolitan Division, where teams Nos. 2 – 7 are separated by just six points, the No. 2 Devils (19-9-5, 43 points) host the No. 4 Rangers (19-12-3, 41 points) at Prudential Center and the No. 3 Blue Jackets (21-13-1, 43 points) visit the No. 7 Penguins (17-15-3, 37 points) at PPG Paints Arena.

* Separated by four points in the Pacific Division, the Canucks (15-16-4, 34 points) visit the Sharks (17-11-4, 38 points) at SAP Center in San Jose. Forward Brock Boeser leads the Canucks and all rookies in goals and points (18-14—32 in 32 GP) while Sharks defenseman Brent Burns has produced 5-5—10 in his last six games, including five multi-point outings.

* In an Atlantic Division clash, the League-leading Lightning (24-7-2, 50 points), who own an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 contests, host the Senators (11-14-7, 29 points), who have won two of their last three games. Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov – who leads the NHL in goals (tied) and points with 23-25—48 in 33 GP – enters the contest on a five-game point streak (4-4—8).

the information above was supplied by the NHL PR department