NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 26, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Nashville 3, BUFFALO 2
Columbus 2, NEW JERSEY 1
Montreal 5, NY RANGERS 1
PITTSBURGH 4, St. Louis 3 (OT)
WASHINGTON 5, Winnipeg 3
CAROLINA 4, Edmonton 1
Vancouver 3, MINNESOTA 2
NY ISLANDERS 3, Philadelphia 1
Boston 3, DETROIT 2 (OT)
TAMPA BAY 2, Los Angeles 1 (SO)
ARIZONA 4, Anaheim 2
Ottawa 5, COLORADO 3
Chicago 5, SAN JOSE 2

CANADIENS TAKE CONTROL OF TOP SPOT IN NHL

Leading 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Canadiens added three unanswered goals in the third period to earn their third consecutive victory, pull into sole possession of top spot in the NHL standings and halt the Rangers’ home winning streak at nine games (its longest such streak since 1971-72).

* At 17-4-2 (36 points), the Canadiens lead the League in wins (tied w/ DAL) and points. The victory propelled them ahead of the Rangers (16-4-2, 34 points) and idle Stars (17-5-0, 34 points), who share second place in terms of points.
* Carey Price made 22 saves before being replaced by Mike Condon (11 SV) to start the third period. Price earned the decision to improve to 12-5-1 in 19 career regular-season appearances against the Rangers (1.74 GAA, .943 SV%, 7 SO).
* Devante Smith-Pelly (2-0—2) registered his first career multi-goal game and first multi-point effort since Oct. 31, 2013 at BOS (1-1—2).
* Tomas Plekanec (0-3—3) registered his ninth career three-assist game and second this season (also Oct. 23 at BUF). He paces the club with 7-16—23 this season (23 GP), including 0-6—6 in his last four contests.
* Alex Galchenyuk (1-1—2) and Max Pacioretty (1-1—2) also registered multiple points for the Canadiens, who scored at least five goals in a game for the sixth time this season. They lead all NHL clubs with 83 goals in 2015-16.
* The Canadiens improved to 11-3-0 in their last 14 regular-season meetings with the Rangers dating to Nov. 19, 2011 (NYR: 3-10-1).

CAPITALS CONTINUE BEST START IN 24 YEARS

Dmitry Orlov (1-1—2) scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Evgeny Kuznetsov (1-2—3) notched an insurance marker in the final frame to help the Capitals improve to 7-2-1 in their last 10 contests overall.

* At 15-5-1 (31 points), the Capitals are off to their second-best 21-game start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 41-year history. They went 16-5-0 (32 points) through 21 games in 1991-92.
* Orlov pushed his career-high point streak to four games (3-2—5) and goal streak to three contests, including back-to-back decisive tallies. He had six goals – and only one GWG (Jan. 15, 2012 vs. CAR) – in his first 137 career appearances before his current three-game stretch (three goals each in 2011-12 and 2013-14).
* Kuznetsov posted his fourth three-point performance of the season and second in his last three outings (also Nov. 21 vs. COL: 1-2—3). He paces the Capitals with 8-16—24 this season (21 GP), including 3-6—9 in his last seven contests.
* Braden Holtby made 23 saves to earn his fifth consecutive victory and League-leading 13th win of the season (13-4-1, 1.95 GAA, .924 SV%, 1 SO).

KANE EXTENDS STREAK, GUIDES BLACKHAWKS TO VICTORY

Patrick Kane collected two assists to extend his point streak to a career-high 17 games (10-18—28) and help the Blackhawks improve to 2-1-1 on their season-high six-game road trip.
* Via Elias, Kane – who paces the League in assists and points this season (13-21—34 in 22 GP) – became the first player (on any team) to post a point streak of at least 17 games since March 7 – April 7, 2012, when Penguins forward Pascal Dupuis totaled 10-12—22 during a 17-game point streak.
* Elias adds that Kane’s point streak is the fifth-longest in Blackhawks franchise history:

Longest Single-Season Point Streak, Blackhawks history
21 games – Bobby Hull in 1971-72 (23-12—35)
19 games – Denis Savard in 1985-86 (16-21—37)
18 games – Denis Savard in 1981-82 (8-23—31)
18 games – Clint Smith in 1943-44 (10-19—29)
17 games – Patrick Kane in 2015-16 (10-18—28)

* Kane is tied for the League lead with 10 multi-point games this season (w/ Jamie Benn); he had 18 such performances in 2014-15.
* Artemi Panarin also registered two helpers for the fifth multi-point outing of his career. The Korkino, Russia, native has compiled 7-16—23 in 2015-16 (22 GP) to lead rookies in assists and points.

STREAKING THROUGH NOVEMBER

In addition to Patrick Kane, various other players extended point streaks on Wednesday:

* Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson (0-1—1) pushed his point streak to eight games (5-7—12), equaling a career high last achieved March 10-25, 2014 (3-9—12 in 8 GP).
* Wild captain Mikko Koivu (0-2—2) extended his point streak to seven games (1-7—8), one shy of his career high established earlier this season (Oct. 15-30: 3-7—10 in 8 GP).
* Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (0-2—2) extended his career-high point streak to seven games (3-6—9).
* Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk (0-1—1) also stretched his point streak to seven games (2-7—9).
* Canucks forwards Daniel (5-5—10) and Henrik Sedin (2-7—9) extended their point streaks to six and five games, respectively.
* Islanders forward Kyle Okposo (GWG) stretched his point streak to six games (1-7—8).
* Coyotes rookie Anthony Duclair (1-0—1) stretched his point streak to a career-high five games (2-4—6).

OT HEROICS

The Penguins, led by a pair of veterans, and Bruins, led by two rookies, both earned overtime wins:

* Evgeni Malkin (1-1—2) scored his League-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season – and second in overtime (also Oct. 20 vs. FLA) – to help the Penguins finish their homestand with a 3-1-0 record. Elias says Malkin, who scored his ninth career overtime goal (all w/ PIT), pulled into a tie with Jaromir Jagr for second place in franchise history behind Mario Lemieux (11 OTG). Sidney Crosby (2-0—2) posted his first multi-goal game in the regular-season since Feb. 12 at OTT (also 2-0—2). The markers were the first by Crosby against the Blues (2-5—7 in 11 GP); he now has recorded at least one goal against all 29 NHL teams he has faced.
* Rookie defenseman Colin Miller (1-1—2) scored with 1:44 remaining in regulation to force overtime, where fellow freshman Frank Vatrano (2-0—2) notched his first career game-winning goal to lift the Bruins to their fourth consecutive victory overall and an 8-2-0 road record this season. The multi-point efforts were career firsts for both Miller (18 GP) and Vatrano (7 GP). The Bruins have won six consecutive meetings with the Red Wings dating to Oct. 15, 2014 (DET: 0-4-2), including a 2-0-0 mark in 2015-16.

ROOKIES (AGAIN) LEAD COYOTES PAST DUCKS

Anthony Duclair (1-0—1) scored the eventual game-winning goal and Max Domi (0-2—2) collected two helpers to help the Coyotes improve to 3-0-0 against the Ducks in 2015-16 (also wins on Oct. 14 at ANA: 4-0 W and Nov. 9 at ANA: 4-3 W OT).
* Via Elias, the Coyotes have earned three consecutive victories against the Ducks in one season for the first time since Nov. 7, 2007 – March 11, 2008 (4-0-0).
* Duclair (8-6—14) and Domi (8-10—18) share first among rookies in goals (w/ Dylan Larkin, DET). Domi also ranks second among rookies in assists and points, behind Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin (7-16—23). Duclair has scored five of his eight goals this season against the Ducks, including a hat trick on Oct. 14.
* Coyotes forward Antoine Vermette (2-0—2), who won a Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks after being acquired at last year’s Trade Deadline, scored his first regular-season goals since Feb. 14 vs. NYR (w/ ARI). He collected 4-3—7, including three-game winning goals in the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

GUIDED BY THE GOALIE

* Craig Anderson, who played with the Avalanche from 2009-11 (51-40-10 in 104 GP), made 40 saves – including a 20-save third period – to lead the Senators to their fourth consecutive victory overall and first win in Colorado since Dec. 12, 2005 (0-1-3).
* Ben Bishop made 37 saves through overtime – and stopped two shootout attempts – to lead the Lightning to their third consecutive victory and extend his personal point streak to five games (4-0-1, 1.36 GAA, .951 SV%, 1 SO).
* Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves to lead the Blue Jackets past the Devils and improve to 7-4-0 in November, following a 2-10-0 start to the season. Bobrovsky has been in goal for all seven wins this month, posting a 7-2-0 record with 1.89 goals-against average,.939 save percentage and one shutout.
* Carter Hutton made 30 saves to help the Predators halt a three-game skid overall and improve to 8-1-1 all-time in Buffalo, including five consecutive victories. Hutton also improved to 4-0-0 in four career appearances vs. BUF (1.23 GAA, .953 SV%). According to Elias, Hutton has a 15-1-5 record in the 21 games in his NHL career in which he faced at least 30 shots on goal, including two wins in two such games this season.
* Jaroslav Halak made 17 saves and the Islanders scored three unanswered goals to bounce back from a pair of losses (both vs. MTL). Halak moved to 8-3-0 in 11 career appearances vs. PHI (2.30 GAA, .935 SV%, 2 SO).

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Senators forward Shane Prince (2-1—3) recorded his first career goals and three-point game (15 GP). Via Elias, Prince is the first Senators player to record at least three points in the same game in which he scored his first NHL goal since Dec. 9, 1998 at FLA (Marian Hossa: 1-2—3).
* Avalanche forward Chris Wagner (1-0—1), a fifth-round selection (122nd overall) in the 2010 NHL Draft (by ANA), registered his first NHL goal/point (25 GP).
* Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk (1-0—1) scored his 300th career goal to become the ninth player in franchise history to reach the milestone.
* Rangers forward Derick Brassard (0-1—1) registered his 300th NHL point (106-194—300).
* Wild forward Mikael Granlund, the ninth overall selection in the 2010 NHL Draft, recorded his 100th career point (21-79—100).
* Oilers forward Nail Yakupov (0-1—1), the first overall selection in the 2012 NHL Draft, registered his 100th career point (44-56—100). The assist came on Benoit Pouliot’s 100th career goal.
* Capitals head coach Barry Trotz earned his 617th career win to tie Jacques Lemaire for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time coaching wins list. He also served his 1,299th game as an NHL head coach.
* Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett earned his 499th win behind an NHL bench.

DID YOU KNOW?

Thursday marks NHL Founders Day. On Nov. 26, 1917, the National Hockey League was formed in Montreal following the suspension of operations by the National Hockey Association of Canada Limited (NHA). During the 98-year history of the League, there have been 7,308 NHL players, 52,057 regular season games, 4,114 playoff games. The first NHL games were played on Dec. 19, 1917.

LOOSE PUCKS

The Hurricanes scored four unanswered goals – powered by 1-1—2 from both Jordan Staal and Andrej Nestrasil – to mark the club’s fourth consecutive game with at least one point (2-0-2) . . . Radim Vrbata (2-0—2) and Jannik Hansen (GWG) combined to lead the Canucks past the Wild and open their four-game road trip with a victory . . . Sharks blueliner Brent Burns (1-1—2) scored for the third straight game (4-0—4). He leads all defensemen with nine goals in 2015-16 . . . Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog both posted 1-1—2 for the Avalanche. MacKinnon leads the club with 10-13—23 this season (22 GP) . . . Bruins goaltender Jonas Gustavsson (32 SV), who spent the past three seasons w/ DET, made 32 saves in his return to Detroit to improve to 5-1-0 in six appearances this season (2.15 GAA, .920 SV%) . . . Predators forward Cody Hodgson, who played with the Sabres from 2011-15, notched the game-winning goal against his former club . . . The lone Rangers goal was scored by Rick Nash, who has five strikes in his last three contests (5-0—5) . . . Sharks forward Dainius Zubrus, who signed a one-year two-way contract after spending the past eight seasons w/ NJ, made his season debut (10:13 TOI) . . . Mike Fisher scored 13:52 after the opening face-off to halt Nashville’s scoreless drought at 227:39 dating to Nov. 17 vs. ANA . . . Bruins forward Landon Ferraro, who was claimed off waivers from the Red Wings on Sunday, notched an assist against his former club . . . Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin and Wild forward Thomas Vanek both scored via the power play. Since both players entered the League in 2005-06, Ovechkin (178 PPG) and Vanek (121 PPG) rank first and second, respectively, among all players in power play goals . . . Ovechkin (1-0—1) has registered 43-42—85 in 58 career appearances against the Jets/Thrashers, his highest point total against one club.

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NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 25, 2015

Welcome to the “NHL Morning Skate,” a daily collection of the latest news and notes from around the League.

NHL FLOAT RETURNS FOR THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

The NHL and Discover’s co-branded float, “Frozen Fall Fun,” returns to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday.
The 36-foot long by 20-foot wide float features a synthetic ice rink with children skating, a 12-foot tall turkey that serves as a goal and an assortment of colorful fall decorations. Riding aboard the float will be country music star Jake Owen (with a musical performance) as well as former NHL players Mark and Marty Howe.

The float promotes the 2015 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown, which will take place on Friday between the Bruins and Rangers at TD Garden (1:00 p.m. ET, NBC, SN).

WILD, BLACKHAWKS UNVEIL STADIUM SERIES JERSEYS

Both the Wild and Blackhawks unveiled their jerseys for when they meet in the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series on Sunday, Feb. 21, at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis (3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT, NBC, SN, TVAS).

Two unique features highlight the Wild’s jerseys: the State of Hockey logo on the shoulder is a tribute to the loyal fan base of the region (it is the first time that this popular brand symbol has appeared on any Wild jersey) and the new ligature “M” logo on the pants is a bold reproduction taken from the iconic third jersey wordmark. Enlarged numbers on the sleeves and back are adaptations of the Wild’s current number system, scaled for greater visibility in the stadium setting.

The jersey crest features the Wild’s primary logo and the jersey’s colors are primarily forest green with iron range red and Minnesota wheat accents, an homage to the team’s unique color scheme and identity.

The Blackhawks’ jerseys pay tribute to Chicago, featuring four six-pointed red stars on the white collar, which are derived from the city of Chicago’s flag and were incorporated as a symbol of regional fan pride. Additionally, the black shoulder yoke serves as a visual representation of the city’s nickname, the “City of Big Shoulders.” The team’s secondary logos overlap the top three stripes on the sleeve rather than the traditional shoulder placement.

ICYMI: The Avalanche and Red Wings already have unveiled their jerseys for the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series on Saturday, Feb. 27, at Coors Field in Denver (8:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. MT, NBC, HNIC, TVAS2).

The Bruins and Canadiens also have unveiled their jerseys for the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Friday, Jan. 1, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. (1:00 p.m. ET, NBC, SN, TVAS).

NHL ANNOUNCES ROSTERS FOR WINTER CLASSIC ALUMNI GAME

The NHL, Bruins and Canadiens released the current rosters for the 2016 NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game, which will be played on Thursday, Dec. 31, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass (3:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, SN, TVAS).

More than 40 former players and coaches are scheduled to participate in the renewal of this legendary rivalry in this unique outdoor setting.

Click here to view the rosters.

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Nashville @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., FS-TN, MSG-B, BELL TV
Columbus @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m., FS-O, MSG+
Montreal @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., SNE, SNO, RDS, MSG 2
St. Louis @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., FS-MW, ROOT
Winnipeg @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., TSN3, CSN-DC
Edmonton @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., SN360, SNW, FS-CR
Vancouver @ Minnesota, 7:00 p.m., SN1, SNP, FS-N+
Philadelphia @ NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, TCN-PH
Boston @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, NESN, FS-D
Los Angeles @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., FS-W, SUN
Anaheim @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m., PRIME, FS-SD, FS-A+
Ottawa @ Colorado, 9:30 p.m., TSN5, RDS, ALT
Chicago @ San Jose, 10:00 p.m., NBCSN, CSN-CH

26 CLUBS IN ACTION ON EVE OF U.S. THANKSGIVING

Twenty-six of the NHL’s 30 teams take to the ice on the eve of U.S. Thanksgiving, which will see the League take a one-day break (0 GP on Thursday).

TOP TEAMS FACE OFF AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

The Rangers (16-3-2) and Canadiens (16-4-2), who are tied atop the NHL standings with 34 points apiece, look to move into sole possession of first place when they face off at Madison Square Garden. New York enters the game having won 11 of its past 12 games overall as well as nine straight at home – its longest such winning streak since 1971-72.

Montreal, meanwhile, has won three of its past four overall and boasts a 7-2-1 record this season as visitors.

This marks the second of three meetings in 2015-16 between these Original Six clubs; the Canadiens won their first matchup, 3-0 on Oct. 15 at Bell Centre, behind 25 saves from Carey Price, who owns an 11-5-1 record in 18 career regular-season appearances vs. NYR (1.75 GAA, .943 SV%, 7 SO).

STREAKING SHARKS LOOK CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN RETURN HOME . . .

The Sharks, who recently completed a perfect 6-0-0 road trip, look to continue their winning ways when they return to SAP Center to play the Blackhawks. On Sunday, San Jose scored four unanswered goals to become the sixth team in NHL history to win a road trip of six or more games – and the first to do so since 2010-11 (BOS).

Chicago, meanwhile, is off to a 1-1-1 start on its own six-game road trip, which wraps up with another two games in California (Friday at ANA and Saturday at LAK). This marks the first of three meetings this season between these Western Conference foes; they will face off again Dec. 20 and Feb. 9, both at CHI.

. . . FLYERS VISIT ISLANDERS IN OPENER OF DOUBLEHEADER

The Flyers make their first trip to Barclays Center when they visit the Islanders in the opening half of NBCSN’s Wednesday night doubleheader. Philadelphia snapped a three-game skid (0-1-2) with a 3-2 overtime win on Monday vs. CAR, while New York is coming off a home-and-home sweep at the hand of Montreal. This marks the first of five meetings in 2015-16 between these longtime division rivals; they have split their last 16 head-to-head games dating to Jan. 19, 2012 (PHI: 8-3-5, NYI: 8-8-0).

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
Ottawa 7, DALLAS 4
ANAHEIM 5, Calgary 3

DUCKS CONTINUE HOME DOMINANCE OF FLAMES

Ryan Getzlaf dished out five assists to help the Ducks overcome 2-0 and 3-2 deficits en route to winning their 21st consecutive regular-season home game against the Flames dating to April 4, 2004 (CGY: 0-16-5).

* Via Elias, Anaheim’s 21-game home winning streak against Calgary is tied for the second-longest such run versus a single opponent in NHL history:

Longest Home Winning Streak vs. One Opponent, NHL History

23 – Philadelphia Flyers vs. PIT (Feb. 17, 1980 – Jan. 29, 1987)
21 – Montreal Canadiens vs. NYR (Feb. 6, 1954 – Jan. 19, 1957)
21 – Montreal Canadiens vs. WSH (Jan. 4, 1975 – Dec. 14, 1981)
21 – Anaheim Ducks vs. CGY (April 4, 2004 – Nov. 24, 2015)

* Getzlaf tied franchise records as well as personal career highs for both assists and points in one game – he also collected 0-5—5 on Oct. 29, 2008 at DET. Prior to Tuesday, the last Ducks player to post a five-point game was Teemu Selanne on March 28, 2011 vs. COL (3-2—5).
* Getzlaf, who compiled 1-7—8 during Anaheim’s five-game victory over Calgary in the First Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs, has 14-30—44 in 39 career regular-season appearances vs. CGY.
* Four other Ducks players registered multi-point performances, highlighted by multi-goal games from both Corey Perry (2-1—3) and Rickard Rakell (2-0—2). Perry notched his second multi-goal and three-point outings of the season, while Rakell posted his second career multi-goal game (also Jan. 11 vs. WPG: 2-2—4).

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST POWERS SENATORS

Jean-Gabriel Pageau (2-1—3) and Mike Hoffman (2-0—2) both recorded multi-goal games to power the Senators to their third consecutive victory as well as their sixth straight game with at least one point (4-0-2).

* Pageau posted his first career multi-goal and three-point performances (108 GP). He also scored his League-leading third shorthanded goal of the season (21 GP); he had two such goals in his first 87 career outings.
* Hoffman registered his sixth career multi-goal performance and second of the season (also Oct. 17 vs. NSH: 2-1—3). He led all rookies with 27 goals in 2014-15 (79 GP).
* Mark Stone added 1-2—3 to match a career high for points in one game, last achieved March 19 vs. BOS (0-3—3).
* The Senators snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Stars dating to March 20, 2010 (0-6-1).

LOOSE PUCKS

Stars captain Jamie Benn (2-1—3) posted his fourth multi-goal and three-point performances of the season to extend his point streak to six games (6-5—11). Benn paces the NHL in goals this season (16) and shares the League lead in points (32 in 22 GP) . . . Teammate Tyler Seguin added a goal to also extend his point streak to six games (3-5—8). Seguin is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals this season (12) and also is one point shy of the League lead (31 in 22 GP) . . . Senators forward Bobby Ryan scored to extend his point streak to a career-high nine games (4-7—11) . . . Teammate Erik Karlsson collected one assist to extend his point streak to seven games (5-6—11), one shy of his career high last achieved March 10-25, 2014 (3-9—12 in 8 GP) . . . Flames forward Michael Frolik (2-0—2) registered his eighth career multi-goal performance and second of the season (also Oct. 31 at EDM: 3-0—3) . . . ICYMI: The Sharks signed forward Dainius Zubrus to a one-year, two-way contract . . . NHL Central Scouting released its November Players to Watch List for the 2016 NHL Draft.

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