MULTI-GOAL PERFORMERS LIFT TEAMS TO VICTORIES . . .
Eight players recorded multi-goal games on Thursday – seven of those resulted in wins for their respective teams:
* Anze Kopitar (2-0—2) posted his third multi-goal game of the season, including the tying tally with 4:10 remaining in regulation and the winner at 1:34 of overtime, to help the Kings pick up their third straight victory and extend their point streak to six contests (5-0-1). Kopitar also set a franchise record with his fourth overtime goal of the campaign, eclipsing the previous mark of three shared by Yanic Perreault (1995-96) and Jozef Stumpel(1999-00).
* Jamie Benn (2-1—3) notched his seventh multi-goal game of the season, including the winning tally with 8:10 remaining in regulation, to help the Stars collect points for the sixth time in their last seven outings (4-1-2). Benn, who ranks third in the NHL with 36 goals this season (72 GP), established a career high in that category, besting his total of 35 from his Art Ross Trophy-winning campaign in 2014-15 (82 GP).
* Sidney Crosby (2-0—2) also recorded his seventh multi-goal game of the season, including the winning tally, to power the Penguins to their fourth consecutive victory. Crosby, who extended his point streak to 10 contests (6-10—16), reached the 30-goal milestone for the seventh time (31-41—72). Elias says that he became the third player in franchise history with as many 30-goal seasons, joining Mario Lemieux (11) and Jaromir Jagr (10).
* Jussi Jokinen (2-0—2) collected his first multi-goal game since Jan. 22, 2014 vs. MTL (2-0—2 w/ PIT), including the winning tally, to guide the Panthers to their fourth victory in their past five outings. Roberto Luongo (32 SV) became the seventh goaltender in NHL history to reach the 30-win milestone in eight or more seasons (30-17-6) – and the second to accomplish that feat this week (also Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury).
* Three players – Devante Smith-Pelly (2-1—3), Adam Henrique (2-0—2) and Mike Sislo (2-0—2) – registered multi-goal games to propel the Devils to their third win in their last four contests. Via Elias, three different Devils scored multiple goals in the same game for the first time since Feb. 25, 2004, when Patrik Elias (2-3—5), Brian Gionta (2-1—3) and Jay Pandolfo (2-0—2) all did so in an 8-2 victory vs. BUF.
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. . . DID YOU KNOW?
Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (2-0—2) provided Thursday’s other multi-goal game,his seventh of the season.
Elias notes that Stamkos’ seven such performances share the League lead in 2015-16, along with two other players who racked up multiple goals on Thursday: Dallas’ Jamie Benn (2-1—3) and Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby (2-0—2).
Two more players also have recorded seven multi-goal games this season: Montreal’sAlex Galchenyuk and Calgary’s Johnny Gaudreau.
AROUND THE RINKS
* Jimmy Howard turned aside 27 of 28 shots – yielding his lone goal at 19:00 of the third period – to help the Red Wings snap a two-game skid and jump back into the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
* Ryan Johansen and James Neal both registered 1-1—2 to help the Predators pick up points for the 16th time in their last 17 games (11-1-5) and move within three points of third place in the Central Division.
* Shane Doan scored the tiebreaking goal with 1:31 remaining in regulation to help the Coyotes earn their third consecutive victory and climb within seven points of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Sharks forward Joe Thornton (0-1—1) recorded his 1,327th career point (374-953—1,327) to move past Gilbert Perreault (512-814—1,326) and into a tie with Pierre Turgeon (515-812—1,327) for 31st place in NHL history. Thornton has notched at least one point in 36 of his past 41 games dating to Dec. 15 (12-40—52).
* Stars defenseman Stephen Johns (4 GP), Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (8 GP) and Devils forward Mike Sislo (2-0—2; 32 GP) all scored their first career goals.
* Via Elias, Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand (Herning, Denmark) became the 12th Danish-born player in NHL history to appear in a regular-season game. Maple Leafs forward Connor Brown also made his League debut.
* Lindy Ruff (DAL) coached his 1,401st career game to move past Pat Quinn (1,400) and into a tie with Ron Wilson for fifth place in NHL history.
LOOSE PUCKS
The Kings posted their League-leading 11th overtime victory of the season (11-3) . . . Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr scored his 746th career goal, third in NHL history . . . Stars forward Jason Spezza potted his eighth goal in his last eight games (8-1—9) . . . Kings forward Jeff Carter, Stars forward Cody Eakin, Penguins forward Carl Hagelin and Devils forward Tyler Kennedy all set or equaled career highs with three assists . . . Kings forward Milan Lucic (0-1—1) extended his point streak to eight games, matching a career high established Dec. 8-23, 2008 (4-4—8 in 8 GP w/ BOS) . . . Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette (4-2—6), Kings captain Dustin Brown (3-1—4) and Wild forward Nino Niederreiter (3-1—4) all scored for the third straight game . . . Ryan Suter (MIN) set a franchise record for a defenseman with his 38th assist of the season . . . REMINDER: The Department of Player Safety will have a hearing today with Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde for elbowing/an illegal check to the head of Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews . . . ICYMI: Forward Brenden Morrow formally announced his retirement from the NHL . . . Various teams wore special jerseys in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day.
SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., TSN5, RDS, MSG-B, BELL TV
Nashville @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., TVAS, FS-TN, CSN-DC
Chicago @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., NHLN-US, CSN-CH, TSN3
Colorado @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., ALT, SNF
Vancouver @ Edmonton, 9:00 p.m., SNP, SNW
Boston @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m., SN1, NESN, PRIME, FS-SD
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STANLEY CUP CELEBRATES 124TH BIRTHDAY
The Stanley Cup celebrates its 124th birthday today. On this date in 1892, Canada’s sixth Governor-General, Sir Frederick Arthur Stanley, proposed the creation of what became the world’s famous trophy.
Click here for more information.
the information above was provided by the NHL PR department
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