NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 24, 2015

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

RED WINGS UNVEIL STADIUM SERIES JERSEYS

The Red Wings unveiled their jerseys for the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series, which they will play in on Feb. 27 at Coors Field in Denver against the Avalanche.

The coloration of the uniform is primarily red with simplified white accents, creating a bold, striking stadium-scale visual while staying true to the color identity of the franchise. The crest features a redesigned “D” logo, updated in its style to connect more with the iconic modern-day Winged Wheel logo.

The single white diagonal stripe across the chest celebrates the iconic stripe of this storied Original Six franchise. Its diagonal placement is inspired by modern automotive aesthetics and is a tribute to the automotive industry that has been a foundation of the city of Detroit.

Stadium size numbers on the sleeves and back have been redesigned to better connect with the modern font style of the new “D” crest. The nameplate lettering is arched, as a way of connecting to the design of the team’s current nameplate lettering.

Click here for more details.

ICYMI: The Wild and Blackhawks will unveil their jerseys for the 2016 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series today.

5DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 23: Henrik Zetterberg #40 and Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings wear the new Stadium Series Jerseys at Joe Louis Arena on November 23, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The new jerseys will be worn on February 27, 2016 at Coors Field in an outdoor game against the Colorado Avalanche. (Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images)

MONDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
St. Louis 2, BUFFALO 1
NY RANGERS 3, Nashville 0
PHILADELPHIA 3, Carolina 2 (OT)
WASHINGTON 1, Edmonton 0
Boston 4, TORONTO 3 (SO)
Los Angeles 3, FLORIDA 1
Colorado 4, WINNIPEG 1

LUNDQVIST, HOLTBY FLAWLESSLY GUIDE TEAMS TO VICTORIES

Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) and Braden Holtby (WSH) both posted shutouts on Monday to keep pace atop the NHL with 12 wins apiece:

* Lundqvist stopped all 31 shots he faced to record his 57th career shutout (second this season) and lead the Rangers to their 11th victory in their past 12 games overall as well as their ninth consecutive win at Madison Square Garden. At 16-3-2 (34 points), the Rangers are off to their best 21-game start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 89-year history. They also have won nine straight home games for the first time since Nov. 10 – Dec. 15, 1971 (9-0-0); that is five games shy of the longest home winning streak in team history, set Dec. 19, 1939 – Feb. 25, 1940 (14-0-0).
* Lundqvist improved to 12-3-2 overall this season (1.74 GAA, .946 SV%, 2 SO), including a 7-1-1 record on home ice (1.55 GAA, .951 SV%, 2 SO). He also leads the League in goals-against average and save percentage.
* Holtby turned aside all 33 shots he faced to earn his 21st career shutout (first this season) and help the Capitals improve to 6-2-1 in their last nine contests. At 14-5-1 (29 points), the Capitals have equaled their second-best 20-game start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 41-year history. They went 15-5-0 (30 points) through 20 games in 1991-92 and compiled a 14-5-1 record (29 points) in the opening 20 contests of 2010-11.
* Holtby picked up his fourth consecutive victory to improve to 12-4-0 overall this season (1.88 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO), including an 8-2-0 record on home ice (1.71 GAA, .937 SV%, 1 SO). He ranks second in the NHL in goals-against average and 10th in save percentage.

GOSTISBEHERE LIFTS FLYERS IN OVERTIME

The Hurricanes erased a two-goal deficit in the third period, but Shayne Gostisbehere scored 24 seconds into overtime to help the Flyers snap a three-game skid (0-1-2).

* Gostisbehere – a third-round selection (78th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft who hails from Pembroke Pines, Fla. – registered his first career game-winning goal (2-1—3 in 7 GP). Via Elias, he became the third rookie in Flyers history to score a regular-season overtime goal. The others, also both defensemen: Murray Baron (March 13, 1991 at VAN) and Dmitry Yushkevich (April 16, 1993 at HFD).
* Claude Giroux added 1-2—3, including a shorthanded goal, for his first three-point performance since Dec. 20, 2014 at TOR (2-2—4). He paces the club with 7-9—16 this season (21 GP).
* Michal Neuvirth made 31 saves to improve to 5-2-1 in nine career appearances vs. CAR (2.56 GAA, .926 SV%, 1 SO).

RASK, BRUINS COMPLETE HOME-AND-HOME SWEEP

Tuukka Rask stopped a season-high 39 shots through overtime – and also turned aside all three attempts he faced in the shootout – to lead the Bruins to a sweep of their home-and-home series with the Maple Leafs.
* Rask, the 21st overall selection by Toronto in the 2005 NHL Draft, improved to 13-3-1 in 19 career regular-season appearances against his former club (1.80 GAA, .937 SV%, 2 SO). That includes a 6-2-0 record at Air Canada Centre (1.88 GAA, .940 SV%, 1 SO).
* Brad Marchand scored twice, including one shorthanded goal, to extend his point streak to five games (5-1—6) and goal streak to four contests (5-0—5), equaling a career high last achieved Feb. 28 – March 8 (5-1—6).
* Marchand shares first in the NHL with two shorthanded goals this season. He has registered more shorthanded goals than any other player since entering the League in 2009-10 (17).

AROUND THE RINKS

* The Avalanche scored four unanswered goals – including three in the third period – to overcome an early 1-0 deficit and snap a three-game skid (0-3-0). Matt Duchene provided his 11th goal of the season to extend his point streak to seven games (7-6—13). Ten of his 11 goals have come in November (11 GP); per Elias, he became the first Avalanche player to post a double-digit goal total in one calendar month since January 2006 (Marek Svatos and Alex Tanguay: 10).
* The Blues scored twice in the third period – including the tiebreaking goal by Robby Fabbri with 6:34 remaining in regulation – to overcome a 1-0 deficit and pick up their eighth consecutive victory over the Sabres dating to Feb. 18, 2011 (BUF: 0-7-1). Fabbri, the 21st overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, registered his third career goal (16 GP) and second game-winner (also Oct. 8 vs. EDM).
* Jonathan Quick stopped 33 shots, including all 15 he faced in the third period, to help the Kings bounce back from a Sunday loss and improve to 4-2-0 in their last six contests. Quick, who was pulled from Sunday’s 4-3 defeat at CAR, upped his record to 7-2-0 in nine career appearances vs. FLA (1.72 GAA, .937 SV%, 1 SO).

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist earned his 351st career win (all w/ NYR) to tie Terry Sawchuk for the third-most victories in NHL history by a goaltender with one franchise. The only two with more: Martin Brodeur (688 w/ NJD) and Tony Esposito (418 w/ CHI).
* Kings forward Marian Gaborik (900), Rangers defenseman Keith Yandle (600), Predators forward James Neal (500) and Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak (500) all played in milestone games.
* Sabres forward David Legwand (18 GP) and Bruins forward Zac Rinaldo (18 GP) both scored their first goals with their new clubs.

LOOSE PUCKS

Kings forward Tyler Toffoli notched his 11th goal of the season, tied for fifth in the NHL . . . Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron collected one assist to extend his point streak to eight games (3-6—9) . . . Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk posted one assist to extend his point streak to a career-high six games (3-4—7) . . . Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk also registered one assist to extend his point streak to six games (2-6—8) . . . Rangers forward Rick Nash scored the game-winning goal, his fourth tally in the past two games after totaling two goals in his first 17 appearances of the season . . . Jets defenseman Toby Enstrom snapped a 40-game drought with his first goal since Feb. 19 at WSH . . . Forward Landon Ferraro picked up an assist in his debut with the Bruins . . . ICYMI: Sharks goaltender Martin Jones, Canucks forward Daniel Sedin and Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk were named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Nov. 22 . . . The Flyers inducted forward Rod Brind’Amour into their Hall of Fame. Brind’Amour, who now serves as an assistant coach with the Hurricanes, compiled 235-366—601 over parts of nine seasons in Philadelphia (633 GP) before finishing his playing career in Carolina (174-299—473 in 694 GP).

PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 23: Former Philadelphia Flyer player Rod Brind’Amour addresses the crowd during his Philadelphia Flyers Hall of Fame induction ceremony before the game between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes on November 23, 2015 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Ottawa @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., NHLN-US, TSN5, RDS, FS-SW+
Calgary @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m., SNW, FS-W

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NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 23, 2015

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

2015-16 SEASON REACHES THE QUARTER MARK

The 2015-16 regular season passes the quarter mark today, with 307 of 1,230 games (24.96%) in the books as of Sunday. A look at some of the highlights thus far (with the assistance of the Elias Sports Bureau):

* 205 games (66.8%) have been tied or within one goal entering the third period.
* 143 games (46.6%) have featured one-goal margins. Another 34 have been decided by two following an empty-net goal (combined, 57.7%).
* 110 games (35.8%) have seen a team overcome a deficit (at any point in the contest) to win, including 40 in the third period. Of those 110 games, 19 have featured a multi-goal comeback.
* 64 games (20.8%) have gone past regulation, 44 of which have been decided in the 3-on-3 overtime period (68.8%). Last season, under the 4-on-4 format, the percentage of overtime periods with goals was 44.4% (136 of 306).
* 29 of the 30 NHL teams have played in at least one overtime game, led by the Senators (9 GP). The Blue Jackets are the lone team yet to participate in such a contest.
* 20 games (6.5%) have featured a shootout. Through 307 games, 46 (15.0%) required a shootout in 2014-15 and 49 (16.0%) required a shootout in 2013-14.
* The Senators have played in six of this season’s 20 shootouts (3-3). Nine clubs have to yet participate in a shootout (ARI, BOS, CBJ, CHI, COL, DAL, DET, EDM and MIN).
* 50 coach’s challenges have been used, with 33 calls upheld and 17 overturned – 36 of the coach’s challenges have been for goaltender interference (27 upheld/9 overturned), while 14 have been for offside (6 upheld/8 overturned).
* 25 games (8.1%) have seen a tying goal scored in the final five minutes of regulation, including eight in the last 60 seconds.
* 25 games (8.1%) have seen a tiebreaking goal scored in the final five minutes of regulation, including four in the last 60 seconds.
* 26 teams are within six points of a playoff berth. Entering the final day of last season, none of the eight matchups for the First Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs had been completely settled (opponents and home-ice advantage); only five of the 16 postseason bracket slots had been locked; and two playoff spots and two titles – for the top teams in the Atlantic Division and Western Conference – remained to be settled.
* 4 teams that did not qualify for the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs currently hold postseason berths (DAL, LAK, NJD and SJS). Last season, seven teams made the playoffs after not qualifying in 2013-14 (CGY, NSH, NYI, OTT, VAN, WPG and WSH). The seven-team turnover marked the largest year-to-year change in NHL history.

LEAGUE LEADERS

A snapshot of the top team and individual performances thus far:

NHL Standings
1. Dallas Stars: 17-4-0 (34 points)
2. Montreal Canadiens: 16-4-2 (34 points)
3. New York Rangers: 15-3-2 (32 points)
Home Points
1. New York Rangers: 9-1-1 (19 points)
2. Montreal Canadiens: 9-2-1 (19 points)
3. Chicago Blackhawks: 8-2-1 (17 points)
Road Points
1. San Jose Sharks: 10-3-0 (20 points)
2. Dallas Stars: 9-2-0 (18 points)
3. Montreal Canadiens: 7-2-1 (15 points)
Power Play
1. Boston Bruins: 33.9% (20 of 59)
2. Dallas Stars: 27.7% (18 of 65)
3. Montreal Canadiens: 24.4% (19 of 78)
Penalty Kill
1. Anaheim Ducks: 88.2% (69 of 76)
2. Montreal Canadiens: 86.8% (66 of 76)
3. New York Rangers: 85.1% (57 of 67)
Goals
1. Jamie Benn (DAL): 14
t-2. Patrick Kane (CHI): 13
t-2. Vladimir Tarasenko (STL): 13
Assists
t-1. Patrick Kane (CHI): 19
t-1. John Klingberg (DAL): 19
t-1. Tyler Seguin (DAL): 19
Points
1. Patrick Kane (CHI): 13-19—32
2. Tyler Seguin (DAL): 11-19—30
3. Jamie Benn (DAL): 14-15—29
Wins
t-1. Devan Dubnyk (MIN): 11
t-1. Braden Holtby (WSH): 11
t-1. Martin Jones (SJS): 11
t-1. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR): 11
Goals-Against Average (Minimum: 6 GP)
1. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR): 1.85
2. Braden Holtby (WSH): 2.01
3. James Reimer (TOR): 2.01
Save Percentage (Minimum: 6 GP)
1. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR): .943
2. Michal Neuvirth (PHI): .939
3. James Reimer (TOR): .936

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
St. Louis @ Buffalo, 7:00 p.m., FS-MW, MSG-B, BELL TV
Nashville @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., SN1, SNE, SNO, SNP, FS-TN, MSG+
Carolina @ Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m., FS-CR, CSN-PH
Edmonton @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., SNW, CSN-DC
Boston @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., TVAS, NESN, TSN4
Los Angeles @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-W, FS-F
Colorado @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., ALT, TSN3

FLYERS HOST RETIREMENT CEREMONY FOR BRIND’AMOUR

The Flyers will host a retirement ceremony for forward Rod Brind’Amour prior to their game against the Hurricanes at Wells Fargo Center. Brind’Amour, the ninth overall selection (by STL) in the 1988 NHL Draft, compiled 235-366—601 over parts of nine seasons in Philadelphia (633 GP). He then spent his final 10 NHL seasons in Carolina (174-299—473 in 694 GP), captaining the team to its first Stanley Cup in 2005-06. Overall, Brind’Amour – who now serves as an assistant coach with the Hurricanes – recorded 452-732—1,184 over 1,484 regular-season appearances and 51-60—111 in 159 playoff contests.

“It’s great because I left Philadelphia and it felt kind of weird; one day I was there and then I was gone and that was it, and I never got the chance to thank the people that meant so much to me there,” Brind’Amour told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “So this is kind of a long time coming.”

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
CAROLINA 4, Los Angeles 3
San Jose 5, COLUMBUS 3
MONTREAL 4, NY Islanders 2
New Jersey 3, VANCOUVER 2

SHARKS RALLY TO COMPLETE PERFECT SIX-GAME ROAD TRIP

The Sharks scored four unanswered goals in the third period, including the tiebreaker by Brenden Dillon with 6:45 remaining in regulation, to overcome a 3-1 deficit and complete their season-high, six-game road trip with a perfect 6-0-0 record.

* Per Elias, the Sharks became the sixth team in NHL history to win every game of a road trip of six or more contests. The others (all 6 GP): the 1971-72 Bruins, 1982-83 Flyers, 2001-02 Red Wings, 2007-08 Flames, and 2010-11 Bruins.
* Overall, the Sharks have won seven consecutive road games dating to Nov. 1. That is their longest road winning streak since Dec. 21, 2009 – Jan. 8, 2010 (9-0-0) and three shy of the franchise record established Nov. 14 – Dec. 31, 2007 (10-0-0).
* Dillon snapped a 53-game drought with his first goal since Jan. 29 vs. ANA. He also recorded his fourth career game-winning goal and first since Jan. 13 at ARI.
* Joe Pavelski scored twice for his second multi-goal performance of the season, both against the Blue Jackets (also Nov. 3 vs. CBJ: 2-0—2). He leads the Sharks and ranks fourth in the NHL with 12 goals overall (21 GP).

LATE GOAL LIFTS CANADIENS TO SWEEP OF HOME-AND-HOME

Alex Galchenyuk scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:29 remaining in regulation to lift the Canadiens to a sweep of their home-and-home series with the Islanders as well as their sixth consecutive victory in the head-to-head series dating to Dec. 23, 2014 (NYI: 0-6-0).

* Galchenyuk snapped a 10-game drought with his first goal since Oct. 29 at EDM. He recorded his seventh career game-winning goal and second of the season (also Oct. 7 at TOR).
* Carey Price made 21 saves, including 10 in the second period, to improve to 9-2-0 in his first 11 appearances of the season (2.10 GAA, .933 SV%, 2 SO). He also moved to 11-3-3 in 17 career outings vs. NYI (2.51 GAA, .912 SV%, 1 SO).
* The Canadiens posted four goals via special teams (3 PPG, 1 SHG) for the first time since Feb. 9, 2011 at BOS (4 PPG).

SCHNEIDER LEADS DEVILS IN RETURN TO VANCOUVER

Cory Schneider turned aside 36 shots, including 17 in the final frame, to backstop the Devils to their seventh victory in their past 11 contests.
* Schneider, the 26th overall selection by the Canucks in the 2004 NHL Draft, improved to 2-1-2 in five career appearances against his former club (2.17 GAA, .927 SV%). He compiled a 55-26-8 record while playing his first five NHL seasons in Vancouver (2.20 GAA, .927 SV%, 9 SO).

* Schneider improved to 10-5-1 overall this season (2.05 GAA, .928 SV%, 1 SO). That includes a 6-2-0 clip on the road (2.23 GAA, .929 SV%).
* Mike Cammalleri (1-2—3) registered his fourth three-point performance of the season. He paces the Devils with 14 assists and 21 points in 20 outings.

FAULK POWERS HURRICANES PAST KINGS

Justin Faulk scored twice via the power play, including what stood as the game-winning goal, to help the Hurricanes snap a five-game skid (0-2-3).
* Faulk, who recorded his career multi-goal performance (282 GP), has scored all eight of his goals this season via the power play – tops in the NHL. His eight overall goals also share first among defensemen (w/ Brent Burns).
* Faulk extended his point streak to a career-high five games (3-3—6). He leads the Hurricanes with 8-7—15 overall this season (20 GP).

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty scored to pick up his 300th NHL point (155-145—300 in 421 GP).
* Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce, a third-round selection (66th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft, recorded his first career goal (13 GP).

LOOSE PUCKS

Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner notched his 11th goal of the season, tied for fifth in the NHL . . . Islanders captain John Tavares scored his 10th goal of the season, tied for ninth in the League . . . Kings forward Anze Kopitar (2-0—2) registered his first multi-goal performance of the season . . . Canucks forward Daniel Sedin collected one assist to extend his point streak to five games (5-3—8) . . . Islanders forward Kyle Okposo also posted one helper to extend his assist/point streak to five games (0-7—7) . . . Canadiens forward Tomas Fleischmann scored his second career shorthanded goal and first since Jan. 29, 2013 at TBL (w/ FLA) . . . Blue Jackets defenseman Andrew Bodnarchuk played in his first NHL game since April 11, 2010 at WSH (w/ BOS).

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NHL MORNING SKATE – NOV. 19, 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
WINNIPEG 4, Vancouver 1
Washington 2, DETROIT 1 (OT)
Chicago 4, EDMONTON 3 (OT)

KANE, PANARIN EXTEND STREAKS IN OT WIN

The Oilers tied the game twice in the third period, but Marian Hossa scored his 12th career overtime goal just 68 seconds into overtime to lift the Blackhawks to their third consecutive victory.

* Linemates Patrick Kane (0-2—2) and Artemi Panarin (1-2—3) both collected multiple points to extend point streaks. Kane stretched his to 14 games (10-14—24), while Panarin has recorded points in six consecutive contests (5-5—10).
* Kane has matched the longest point streak of his career, established from Nov. 30 – Dec. 28, 2013 (8-17—25 in 14 GP). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only one Blackhawks player other than Kane has recorded a point streak of at least 14 games in the past 20 years: Chris Chelios (Oct. 26 – Nov. 28, 1995: 4-16—20 in 15 GP).
* Kane, who had his career-high seven-game goal streak halted, has registered at least one point in 17 of 19 games this season. He has six multi-point performances in his last eight outings and leads the League in that category with a total of nine in 2015-16 – one more than Stars teammates Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin.
* Overall, Kane has collected 13-17—30 this season to pace the NHL in goals, assists (tied w/ Seguin) and points. Panarin leads all rookies – and ranks tied for fourth in the entire League – with 7-14—21.
* Hossa’s 12th career regular-season overtime goal lifted him into sole possession of fifth place among active players in that category, passing Arizona’s Shane Doan (11).

MOST REGULAR-SEASON OVERTIME GOALS, ACTIVE PLAYERS:

1. Jaromir Jagr, FLA (19)
2. Patrik Elias, NJD (16)
3. Alex Ovechkin, WSH (15)
4. Daniel Sedin, VAN (13)
5. Marian Hossa, CHI (12)

MOST REGULAR-SEASON OVERTIME POINTS, ACTIVE PLAYERS:

1. Patrik Elias, NJD (16-21—37)
2. Jaromir Jagr, FLA (19-16—35)
3. Daniel Sedin, VAN (13-13—26)
4. Joe Thornton, SJS (9-16—25)
5. (t) Marian Hossa, CHI (12-12—24)
5. (t) Alex Ovechkin, WSH (15-9—24)
5. (t) Henrik Sedin, VAN (4-20–24)

GAME SAVER

Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford made 34 saves – highlighted by a game-saving glove stop in overtime – to improve to 4-1-0 in seven career appearances at Rexall Place (2.27 GAA, .919 SV%). Overall, he holds a 9-5-1 record with a 2.44 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and two shutouts in 2015-16.

KUZNETSOV SEALS ANOTHER GAME IN OT

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored 45 seconds into overtime to lift the Capitals over the Red Wings in their second visit to Joe Louis Arena in eight days.
* At 12-4-1 (25 points), the Capitals have equaled their second-best 17-game start to a season in franchise history (also 2010-11: 12-4-1). In 1991-92, the club opened with a 13-4-0 record (26 points) in their first 17 contests.
* Kuznetsov, who also scored the overtime winner in Washington’s 2-1 victory against the Panthers on Oct. 31, joins Chicago’s Jonathan Toews as the only players with two overtime goals this season. Kuznetsov has tallied three game-winning goals in his regular-season career (114 GP), all of which have come in overtime.
* Of the 58 games that have required overtime this season, 40 have been decided in the extra frame (69.0%). Nine overtime contests have ended within the first 60 seconds:

Goals in the First Minute of Overtime, 2015-16 Season

0:17 – Jonathan Toews (CHI): Oct. 24 vs. TB
0:34 – Kyle Turris (OTT): Nov. 3 at MTL
0:35 – Mikael Backlund (CGY): Nov. 5 vs. PHI
0:36 – Ondrej Palat (TBL): Oct. 23 at WPG
0:37 – Jakub Voracek (PHI): Nov. 14 at CAR
0:41 – Phil Kessel (PIT): Oct. 24 at NSH
0:43 – Adam Larsson (NJD): Oct. 20 vs. ARI
0:45 – Evgeny Kuznetsov (WSH), Nov. 18 at DET
0:51 – Jonathan Toews (CHI): Oct. 26 vs. ANA

JETS RETURN HOME TO END SKID

The line of Drew Stafford (2-1—3), Mark Scheifele (2-1—3) and Mathieu Perreault (0-3—3) combined for nine points and a +8 rating to help the Jets snap a six-game skid overall (0-5-1) in their return to MTS Centre after a four-game road trip.
* Stafford registered his second multi-goal effort of the season (also Oct. 25 vs. MIN: 2-0—2) to snap an 11-game goal/point drought. He paces the club with three game-winning goals this season (20 GP) – one more than he totaled over the previous three campaigns (192 GP).
* Scheifele and Perreault equaled career highs for points and assists in a game, respectively. Perreault shares the team lead with 13 assists (w/ Blake Wheeler).

NHL, NHLPA ANNOUNCE NEW FORMAT FOR HONDA NHL ALL-STAR

The NHL and NHLPA announced the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game will be transformed into a 3-on-3 All-Star Tournament among the NHL’s most talented star players from each division.
* The new format will divide the All-Star Game into three 20-minute games, with star players from each Division making up the four All-Star teams: Pacific, Central, Atlantic, and Metropolitan.
* The 2016 Honda NHL All-Star celebration will include the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, Jan. 30, and the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Tournament on Sunday, Jan. 31, where players will face off in a winner-take-all $1 million inter-division tournament.
* In addition to the new format, the NHL announced that Honda, the exclusive automotive partner of the NHL, will expand its League support as title sponsor for the 2016 NHL All-Star festivities in Nashville.

Click here for more details.

MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS

* Capitals head coach Barry Trotz coached his 1,295th career game, surpassing Jacques Martin for sole possession of 10th place on the NHL’s all-time games coached list. Trotz also earned his 614th career victory (614-509-172) to surpass Martin for 12th place all-time in wins by a head coach.
* Canucks forward Alexandre Grenier, a third-round selection (90th overall) by the Canucks in the 2011 NHL Draft, made his League debut (4 shots, 8:52 TOI).
* Capitals forward Brooks Laich played in his 700th career game.
* Canucks forward Daniel Sedin (1-0—1) moved within one point of 900 in his NHL career (334-565—899).

LOOSE PUCKS

Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl scored with 2:46 remaining in regulation to force overtime. Draisaitl has 6-8—14 in nine outings this season, including 3-4—7 in his last four contests . . . Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby improved to 5-2-0 in seven career appearances vs. DET, including a 4-1-0 record at Joe Louis Arena (1.78 GAA, .943 SV%). Holtby shares the League lead with 10 wins (w/ Pekka Rinne, Devan Dubnyk and Henrik Lundqvist) . . . Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin scored his sixth goal of the season, two back of rookie leader Max Domi (ARI) . . . Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk (0-1—1) registered his first point of the season (4 GP) . . . Oilers forward Taylor Hall (0-1—1) has compiled 9-13—22 in 17 career appearances vs. CHI . . . Canucks forward Daniel Sedin has collected 9-8—17 in 17 career games against the Jets/Thrashers . . . Hockey Hall of Famer and five-time Stanley Cup champion Bert Olmstead died at age 89.

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY’S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Minnesota @ Boston, 7:00 p.m., FS-N, NESN
San Jose @ Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m., CSN-CA, CSN-PH
Colorado @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., ALT, ROOT
Dallas @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., FS-SW, CSN-DC
Arizona @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., FS-A, RDS, CITYM
Columbus @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., FS-O, RDS2, TSN5
NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., MSG, SUN
Anaheim @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., PRIME, FS-SD, FS-F
Buffalo @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, FS-MW

EAST, WEST CLOSELY MATCHED IN INTER-CONFERENCE PLAY

Seven of nine games on Thursday’s slate are East vs. West contests. Over the first 119 inter-conference games played this season (through Nov. 18), the West holds a slim edge in wins (61-58), the East in goal differential (322-318). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last season in which the East recorded more wins than the West in inter-conference games was 1998-99. (East 150-139-55; West 139-150-55).

RANGERS VISIT LIGHTNING IN PLAYOFF REMATCH

Standing between the Rangers and a franchise record-tying 10th consecutive victory is the Lightning, who edged the Blueshirts in a seven-game Eastern Conference Final last season. The clubs meet at Amalie Arena for the first of three regular-season contests.

GOAL SUMMIT IN WASHINGTON, D.C.?

The Capitals host the Stars in a matchup featuring the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner (most points), Dallas’ Jamie Benn; the reigning and five-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner (most goals), Washington’s Alex Ovechkin; last season’s assist leader, Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom; this year’s scoring leader among defenseman, Dallas’ John Klingberg; and the second-ranked player in points this season, Dallas’ Tyler Seguin. The Stars are the NHL’s top-ranked offensive team this season (3.58 goals per game), while the Capitals are tied for fifth place (3.00).

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