KANE HAT TRICK PROPELS BLACKHAWKS
Patrick Kane (3-0-3) scored three goals for the third regular-season hat trick of his NHL career, helping the Chicago Blackhawks (38-18-5, 81 points) improve to 8-1-0 in their past nine games and move within three points of the Minnesota Wild (39-14-6, 84 points) for the top spot in the Western Conference.
* After Jonathan Toews recorded 3-2-5 on Tuesday at Minnesota, Kane's three-goal performance marked the first time Chicago players have posted hat tricks in consecutive games since Alexei Zhamnov and Eric Daze did so on April 11 and April 13, 1997.
* Kane (23-40-63), the reigning Art Ross Trophy winner, moved into a tie with Nicklas Backstrom (18-45-63) for fourth place in the NHL scoring race, five points back of leader Connor McDavid (20-48-68).
* Toews (4-7-11) and Richard Panik (4-4-8) each extended their point streaks to a season-high five games.
THURSDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
NY Islanders 3, MONTREAL 0
NY Rangers 2, TORONTO 1 (SO)
Calgary 3, TAMPA BAY 2
NASHVILLE 4, Colorado 2
CHICAGO 6, Arizona 3
Boston 4, LOS ANGELES 1
FORSBERG NETS SECOND CONSECUTIVE HAT TRICK
Filip Forsberg (3-0-3) recorded his second hat trick in as many games as the Predators (29-22-9, 67 points) improved to 3-1-1 in their past five contests to maintain their lead over the Calgary Flames (31-26-4, 66 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. Nashville also tied the St. Louis Blues (31-24-5, 67 points) - in terms of points - for third place in the Central Division.
* The Elias Sports Bureau notes that Forsberg, who had 3-0-3 vs. the Flames on Tuesday, became the first player in franchise history to have a hat trick in consecutive games. He's the first NHL player to achieve the feat since Alexandre Burrows of the Vancouver Canucks did it on Jan. 5-7, 2010.
* Forsberg (242 GP), who has spent his entire career with Nashville, had his fourth regular-season hat trick to tie Steve Sullivan (317 GP w/ Nashville) for the most in franchise history.
MORE PLAYOFF CONTENDERS EARN VALUABLE POINTS
The New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames each picked up victories to gain valuable points in their respective playoff races.
* Rangers forward J.T. Miller tied the game in the third period and Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves - including two game-savers in the final minute of overtime - as New York improved to 8-1-1 in its past 10 games. The Rangers (39-19-2, 80 points) earned their League-leading 20th road win of the season to leapfrog the idle Columbus Blue Jackets (37-16-5, 79 points) and move into third place in the Metropolitan Division.
* Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier , a native of nearby Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, brought his father to tears after scoring what stood as his first career game-winning goal while playing an NHL game in Montreal for the first time. Thomas Greiss (24 saves) earned his career-high third shutout of the season as the Islanders (29-21-10, 68 points) retained the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
* David Pastrnak scored his sixth game-winning goal of the season to help the Bruins (31-24-6, 68 points) win for the fifth time in six games. The Bruins remained in a tie (in terms of points) with the Islanders for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot, but New York has a game in hand.
* Sean Monahan scored the 100th goal of his NHL career, and the Flames improved to 7-2-1 in their past 10 contests and 5-1-1 in their past seven road games. Calgary (31-26-4, 66 points) kept pace with Nashville (29-22-9, 67 points) as the teams hold the two Western Conference Wild Card spots.
LOOSE PUCKS
Lundqvist earned his 402nd career win to surpass Chris Osgood (401) for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL's all-time wins list; he also moved within one of tying Grant Fuhr (403) for 10th place. … Arizona Coyotes forward Radim Vrbata scored to extend his point streak to seven games (2-5-7). … Kings defenseman Kevin Gravel scored the first goal of his NHL career (45 GP). … Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Anton Stralman skated in his 600th NHL game. … Montreal's Claude Julien became the 27th man in NHL history to coach 1,000 games … The NHL and PPG announced a multiyear corporate marketing agreement making the company's paint brands the official paint of the NHL in the United States and Canada. … The Florid Panthers hosted a screening of "Soul On Ice,' and the Lightning and Predators each hosted Pride Night as part of Hockey Is For Everyone month.
SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Edmonton @ Washington, 7 p.m., NHLN, SN, TVA Sports, CSN-DC
Ottawa @ Carolina, 7:30 p.m., FS-CR, TSN5, RDS
Calgary @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, SNW
Arizona @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., FS-SW+, FS-A+
CAPITALS LOOK TO MATCH FRANCHISE RECORD HOME WINNING STREAK
The League-leading Washington Capitals (40-12-7, 87 points) will try to equal a franchise record with a 13th consecutive home win when they host the Edmonton Oilers (33-20-8, 74 points) at Verizon Center. Washington, which has scored at least five goals in 11 straight home games, is three points ahead of Minnesota (39-14-6, 84 points) atop the League standings. Edmonton is 4-1-0 in its past five games and is three points behind the San Jose Sharks (35-18-7, 77 points) for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
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