NHL Morning Skate – Dec. 11, 2017

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps

CHICAGO 3, Arizona 1
ST. LOUIS 3, Buffalo 2 (OT)
TORONTO 1, Edmonton 0
Minnesota 4, SAN JOSE 3 (OT)

TARASENKO’S OT GOAL LIFTS BLUES TO TOP OF LEAGUE STANDINGS

Vladimir Tarasenko (1-1—2) scored with 35.2 seconds remaining in overtime to guide the Blues (21-8-2, 44 points) to their fourth consecutive victory and into a tie, in terms of points, with the Lightning (21-6-2, 44 points) for first overall in the League standings.

* Tarasenko scored his first overtime goal of the season and eighth of his career (372 GP) to surpass Pavol Demitra for the most in Blues franchise history. Tarasenko has notched all eight overtime goals since the start of the 2014-15 season, tied with Flames forward Sean Monahan for the most in the NHL over that span.

* Brayden Schenn (1-0—1) has scored at least a goal in four consecutive games (6-1—7 in 4 GP) and ranks tied for fifth in the League with 16-21—37 in 31 GP this season.

MCELHINNEY, MAPLE LEAFS SHUT OUT OILERS FOR 20TH WIN

Zach Hyman scored 34 seconds into the contest and Curtis McElhinney made a season-high 41 saves to help the Maple Leafs improve to 20-10-1 (41 points) this season.

* Elias notes that Toronto, who registered its 20th win in its 31st game of the season, matched the third-fastest mark to 20 wins in franchise history, trailing only the 1934-35 (20-6-2 in 28 GP) and 1946-47 (20-6-4 in 30 GP) clubs.

* The Maple Leafs became the 10th team in NHL history, and second in consecutive nights (CBJ: 1-0 W vs. ARI on Dec. 9), to score an opening-minute goal and go on to earn a 1-0 regulation win.

DID YOU KNOW: QUICK STARTS LEAD TO SUCCESS

The Blues (0:40) and Maple Leafs (0:34) both opened the scoring in the first minute of play en route to victories. Teams that open the scoring in the first minute of regulation own a 22-9-2 record in 2017-18.

CENTRAL DIVISION CLUBS EARN VICTORIES

The Blackhawks (14-11-5, 33 points) and Wild (15-11-3, 33 points) both earned victories on Sunday night to climb the Western Conference standings:

* Patrick Kane collected two assists, including the primary helper on Artem Anisimov’s game-winning goal, to boost his career totals to 295-486—781 and surpass Doug Wilson (225-554—779) for sole possession of fifth place on the Blackhawks’ all-time points list. Anisimov, who tallied his sixth game-winning goal of the season, moved into a tie with Brayden Schenn, Sean Monahan and teammate Brandon Saad for the League lead in that category.

* Despite surrendering a three-goal lead, Nino Niederreiter scored with 1:34 remaining in overtime to lead the Wild to their second consecutive win – both of which have come in extra time (3-2 OTW at ANA on Dec. 8). Minnesota earned a victory after surrendering a three-goal lead for the sixth time in franchise history.

SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY’S ACTION