THREE HARD LAPS

* J.T. Compher scored the first hat trick of his NHL career and Philipp Grubauerturned aside all 18 shots he faced as the Avalanche, who improved to 15-0-1 in their last 16 games at Ball Arena, clinched home-ice advantage for the First Round where they will face either the Wild or Blues. If Colorado defeats Los Angeles in any fashion tonight, it will claim the Presidents’ Trophy and Honda West Division crown while simultaneously finalizing the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs bracket.

* Marc-Andre Fleury (36 GP) and Robin Lehner (19 GP) combined to win the William M. Jennings Trophy as the Golden Knights allowed a League-low 124 goals against this season, four fewer than the Islanders (128).

* Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl had multiple points again as the Oilers defeated the Canadiens in their penultimate game of the regular season. Edmonton contests its finale versus Vancouver on Saturday before facing Winnipeg in the First Round.

from Curtis Pashelka of the Mercury News,

Patrick Marleau was given a special gift by the NHL Players’ Association before the Sharks played the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday at SAP Center.

At the request of Gordie Howe’s family, the NHLPA presented Marleau with the stick used by Howe in his 1,767th and final NHL game on April 6, 1980.

The stick had been on display in the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto and will be replaced by a stick used by Marleau on April 19 when he played in his 1,768th career game and broke Howe’s all-time record.

The Sharks also presented Marleau with a custom painting by Lucasfilm and Disney Master Artist Kevin-John, which is of him and Howe.

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Below, a tweet the Sharks sent out which includes a picture of the stick. You can also see it within the article.