MAPLE LEAFS ERUPT FOR SEVEN GOALS TO DEFEAT COYOTES

The Maple Leafs erupted for seven goals to defeat the Coyotes at Gila River Arena and improve to 23-14-1 (47 points) in 2017-18. Toronto scored at least seven goals in a game for the fourth time this season, the highest such total in the NHL.

* Patrick Marleau (2-1—3) scored his 521st and 522nd career goals to move into a tie with Pat Verbeek for 36th place on the NHL’s all-time list. Marleau (38 years, 105 days) added an assist to become the oldest Maple Leafs player to record three points in a game since Carl Brewer established the franchise benchmark on Jan. 7, 1980 vs. PIT at 41 years, 78 days old (0-3—3).

* Auston Matthews, who grew up in nearby Scottsdale, Ariz. and regularly attended Coyotes games, scored his 35th career road goal – the most of any player in the NHL since making his League debut in 2016-17.

VANEK, BOESER HELP CANUCKS SNAP SLIDE

Thomas Vanek (2-3—5) and Brock Boeser (1-3—4) both matched single-game career highs for points to help the Canucks snap a four-game slide (0-3-1).

* Vanek recorded the second five-point game of his NHL career (3-2—5 on Jan. 31, 2013 w/ BUF) and became the fourth Canucks player in the past 20 seasons to register at least five points in a game.

* Boeser boosted his totals to 21-17—38 this season (35 GP) to leapfrog Islanders forward Mathew Barzal(13-23—36 in 37 GP) for the most points among rookies in 2017-18.

LIGHTNING, CAPITALS EXTEND HOME WIN STREAKS

The Lightning (27-7-2, 56 points) and Capitals (23-13-3, 49 points) each earned victories to extend their home win streaks to eight and seven games, respectively. Tampa Bay leads the NHL with 16 home victories this season (16-2-1, 33 points), while Washington shares a tie for second with 15 such wins (15-5-0, 30 points).

* Tampa Bay’s Brayden Point scored his League-leading seventh game-winning goal of the season, while teammate Nikita Kucherov (0-1—1) extended his point streak to eight contests (5-7—12) and paces the NHL with 24-28—52 overall in 2017-18 (36 GP).

* Andrei Vasilevskiy (31 saves) improved to 24-5-1 in 30 appearances this season (2.09 GAA, .934 SV%, 4 SO). His League-leading 24 wins eclipsed his previous single-season career high from 2016-17, when he posted a 23-17-7 record in 50 appearances.

* Washington’s Alex Ovechkin scored in regulation to help the Capitals overcome a 2-0 deficit and added the decisive marker in the shootout. Ovechkin has recorded 24 goals this season (24-14—38 in 39 GP) and is tied with Kucherov for the most in the NHL. The Capitals have won 12 consecutive games vs. BOS dating to Oct. 11, 2014 (BOS: 0-9-3), tied for the NHL’s longest active win streak by a team against one opponent.

JAGR, TROTZ CLIMB ALL-TIME LISTS

* Flames forward Jaromir Jagr skated in his 1,731st career regular-season game to tie Ron Francis for third place on the NHL’s all-time list.

* Washington’s Barry Trotz earned his 736th career win to move into a tie with Lindy Ruff for fifth place on the NHL's all-time list among head coaches.

QUICK CLICKS

· Maple Leafs to host celebration of life to honor Johnny Bower

· Bower, Howe were great friends, rivals (via Nick Cotsonika)

· All-Star Fan Vote continues through Jan. 1

· Greatest NHL Uniforms vote continues

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION

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DEVILS LOOK TO EXTEND WIN STREAK TO SIX GAMES

The Metropolitan Division-leading Devils (22-9-5, 49 points) look to win six consecutive games for the first time since posting an equal run from March 27 – April 7, 2012 when they host the Sabres at Prudential Center. New Jersey has outscored its opposition by a 21-10 margin during the five-game run, with goaltender Cory Schneider earning the victory in each contest (5-0-0, 1.97 GAA, .935 SV%).

ISLANDERS' BARZAL CAN ACHIEVE RARE FEAT AGAINST JETS

Islanders rookie Mathew Barzal enters Friday’s game against the Jets with points in five consecutive contests (5-3—8), including scoring the game-winning goal in each of his last two outings. Elias notes that only two rookies in NHL history have scored the winning goal in three consecutive team games – Patrik Eliasfrom Oct. 27 – Nov. 1, 1997 (w/ NJD) and Andrew Cogliano from March 7-11, 2008 (w/ EDM).

SABRES, RANGERS TO PLAY FINAL GAME BEFORE WINTER CLASSIC

The Sabres (at NJD) and Rangers (at DET) will play their final game before facing off outdoors at the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic at Citi Field in New York on Jan. 1 (1 p.m. ET on NBC, Sportsnet, TVA Sports). Buffalo is led offensively by Evander Kane (15-19—34 in 37 GP) and Jack Eichel (13-20—33 in 37 GP) while New York enters its meeting versus the Red Wings with a 4-1-1 mark in its previous six contests.

* Click here to watch the latest time lapse of the rink build at Citi Field.

* ICYMI: City motif, entertainment will be part of a tribute to the Big Apple and Buffalo at the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic – the 10th anniversary of the League's traditional New Year's Day game.

Thanks to the NHL PR department for the information above.