News & Notes: Wild close in on first place in Western Conference

WILD ERUPT FOR SEVEN GOALS, GET CLOSER TO FIRST PLACE IN WEST

Fourteen different skaters found the scoresheet, led by three-point nights from Eric Staal (1-2-3) and Matt Dumba (0-3-3), and the Minnesota Wild (26-9-5, 57 points) improved to 15-1-2 in their past 18 games. The Wild moved within two points of the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks (27-12-5, 59 points) and have four games in hand.

* The Wild, who matched a season-high for goals in a game, scored at least seven goals on home ice for the fourth time in franchise history. Minnesota has outscored opponents 41-17 in winning nine of its past 10 games at Xcel Energy Center.

* Staal leads the Wild in goals (14), assists (24) and points (38) through 40 games, surpassing his goal total from 2015-16 and moving within one of his point total (13-26-39 in 83 GP with the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers). He also shares second place in the NHL with six game-winning goals.

* Devan Dubnyk (20 saves), who came within 8.5 seconds of registering his sixth shutout of the season, earned his 22nd win to move into sole possession of second in the League. His 1.77 goals-against average and .940 save percentage lead the NHL.

THURSDAY'S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps

PHILADELPHIA 5, Vancouver 4 (SO)
OTTAWA 4, Pittsburgh 1
TAMPA BAY 4, Buffalo 2
NASHVILLE 2, Boston 1
MINNESOTA 7, Montreal 1
DALLAS 5, Detroit 2
EDMONTON 3, New Jersey 2 (OT)
Anaheim 4, COLORADO 1
LOS ANGELES 5, St. Louis 1

DUCKS, OILERS AND KINGS KEEP PACE IN CROWDED PACIFIC DIVISION

The Anaheim Ducks (23-13-8, 54 points), Edmonton Oilers (22-15-7, 51 points) and Los Angeles Kings (21-17-4, 46 points) all won to keep pace in the crowded Pacific Division, where the top six teams are separated by 10 points:

* Rickard Rakell (1-1-2) and Ryan Kesler each scored their team-leading 17th goals to propel the Ducks into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Division. Rakell also shares the team lead with four game-winning goals, while Kesler paces the Ducks with 17-19-36.

* Leon Draisaitl (1-2-3) assisted on both Oilers goals in regulation before scoring his second career overtime goal, off a feed from Connor McDavid (0-2-2), as Edmonton rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits. McDavid, who celebrates his 20th birthday Friday, became the first player to reach the 50-point mark this season (14-36-50 in 44 GP) and moved within two of 100 NHL points (30-68-98 in 89 GP).

* Jake Muzzin and Tanner Pearson each scored twice to help the Kings maintain their hold on the final wild card berth in the Western Conference. Pearson ranks second on the Kings with 13 goals (40 GP), two shy of his career high set last season (15 in 79 GP).

GIROUX CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH DECISIVE TALLY IN COMEBACK WIN

Captain Claude Giroux celebrated his 29th birthday by assisting on the Flyers' tying goal in the third period before scoring the lone goal in the shootout. The Elias Sports Bureau notes that the Flyers overcame three separate deficits to win at home for the first time since March 6, 2007 vs. New Jersey (5-4 OT W).

LOOSE PUCKS

Ben Bishop made 24 saves in his return from a nine-game absence and Ondrej Palat had 2-1-3 to help the Tampa Bay Lightning snap a four-game slide. … Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg and Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg each scored the game-winning goal to help their respective clubs keep pace in the Western Conference wild card race. … Erik Karlsson and Derick Brassard each had 0-2-2 in the Ottawa Senators' win. … The Oilers honored Devils forward Taylor Hall (0-1-1) in his return to Edmonton. … Colorado Avalanche forward Blake Comeau (600), Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (500) and Predators forward Craig Smith (400) each played in milestone games. … ICYMI: Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk pranked teammateRyan Murphy by filling his SUV with packing peanuts. … The NHL Centennial Fan Arena began its three-day stay at Victory Plaza outside American Airlines Center in Dallas.

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY'S ACTION

All Times Eastern

Toronto @ NY Rangers, 7 p.m., MSG, TSN4
Chicago @ Washington, 7 p.m., NHLN, CSN-DC, CSN-CH
NY Islanders @ Florida, 7:30 p.m., FS-F, MSG+
Buffalo @ Carolina, 7:30 p.m., FS-CR, MSG-B
Columbus @ Tampa Bay, 8 p.m., TVA Sports, SN, SUN, FS-O
New Jersey @ Calgary, 9 p.m., SNW, MSG+ 2
Winnipeg @ Arizona, 9 p.m., FS-A, TSN3 

ST. LOUIS TO BECOME FIRST LIGHTNING PLAYER TO HAVE JERSEY RETIRED

The Tampa Bay Lightning will retire Martin St. Louis' No. 26 prior to tonight's game against the League-leading Blue Jackets at Amalie Arena. St. Louis, who signed as a free agent prior to the 2000-01 season, played 972 regular-season games with Tampa Bay and was a key member of the Lightning's Stanley Cup-winning team in 2004. He remains the franchise leader in assists (588), points (953), game-winning goals (64) and shorthanded goals (28), and he holds club playoff records for goals (33), assists (35), points (68) and game-winning goals (8).

- NHL Public Relations

Eichel possibly severely injured in Sabres practice

At the Buffalo Sabres' team practice on Wednesday, young forward Jack Eichel faced what seemed to be a horrific injury.

Eichel appeared to get his leg rolled up underneath him as he fell backwards and he screamed in pain.

We will have any updates to Eichel's condition when they come in.

Vincent Lecavalier retires from NHL

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Vincent Lecavalier has announced his retirement from the NHL on Tuesday after 17 seasons in the league.

Below in italics is his full statement announcing his retrement.

As I publicly announced at the time I was traded to the Los Angeles Kings, the 2015/16 season would be my last in the NHL.  I recently informed the Kings that I am stepping away from the game and will no longer play professional hockey.  It is my desire and intention to retire.

Hockey has provided me so much in my lifetime but requires an incredible commitment.  It is now time for me to devote more time to my family.  

I want to take this opportunity to thank the people who have helped me along the way and shared this journey with me.   First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents, my wife, Caroline, my brother Philippe, sister Genevieve and my entire family.  I could not have accomplished anything without your love and support.  Thank you to the Tampa Bay Lightning for drafting me and providing me the opportunity to embark on my NHL career.  I will never forget winning the Cup together in 2004, and the incredible support from Lightning fans.  To the LA Kings, thank you for providing me the opportunity to finish my career on a positive note.  To the coaches who have developed me and challenged me - you made me a better player and person.  To my agent, Kent Hughes, thank you for all your efforts and support throughout my career.  

Hockey is the greatest team sport in the world.  There is nothing like sharing a locker room with your teammates and competing together day in and day out.  I have made lifelong friends and I’d like to thank them for making this an unforgettable journey…. Thank you 

The Los Angeles Kings acquired Lecavalier and defenseman Luke Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers on January 6, 2016.

The 36-year-old native of Ile Bizard, Quebec recorded 20 or more goals in 13 of his 17 NHL seasons. He now finishes his NHL career with 421 goals and 949 points in 1,212 regular season games.  He posted 26 goals and 56 points in 75 career postseason games. 

Lecavalier was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning first overall in the first round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.

Maple Leafs place defenseman Jared Cowen on waivers for buyout

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

TORONTO -- The Toromto Maple Leafs on Wednesday placed defenseman Jared Cowe. on waivers, likely for the purpose of a buyout.

A buyout would credit the Maple Leafs $650,000 in cap in 2016-17, cost $750,000 in 2017-18.

Cowen posted four assists, a plus-minus rating of 7 and 16 penalty minutes in 37 games played with the Ottawa Senators this season. He was acquired by the Maple Leafs oh Feb. 9, 2016.

Ducks Name Carlyle Head Coach

The Ducks have named Randy Carlyle head coach. Carlyle returns to Anaheim as the team’s all-time winningest head coach, earning a 273-182-61 record from 2005-11. He also won a club-record 36 playoff games during his Anaheim tenure, made two trips to the Conference Finals (2006 & 2007) and become the first coach to lead a California team to the Stanley Cup (2007).
“A proven winner and motivator, Randy has expertly managed the bench throughout his coaching career,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Bob Murray. “Our expectations are extremely high, and I believe Randy is the coach who can lead us to playoff success and our ultimate goal, the Stanley Cup.”

Carlyle, 60 (4/19/56), was originally named the seventh head coach in team history on Aug. 1, 2005 and led the Ducks to their first Stanley Cup championship, Pacific Division championship (2007) and five playoff appearances in six seasons (2005-09, 2011). Under Carlyle, the Ducks won 36 playoff games (36-26) and were 11-6 in playoff elimination games. Only one NHL coach had earned more postseason wins than Carlyle’s 36 from 2006-11 (Mike Babcock).

“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to come back to Anaheim and rejoin the organization that gave me my first opportunity as an NHL head coach,” said Carlyle. “I’ve followed this team closely for the last couple of years and am familiar with the core group. I believe this team can win immediately and I can’t wait to get started.”

A native of Sudbury, Ontario, Carlyle has the most wins (273) and most games coached (516) in Ducks history. He led Anaheim to a franchise-record four straight playoff appearances from 2006-09 and 90-or-more standings points in five of his six full seasons with the organization. All-time, Carlyle owns a 364-260-80 career record for 808 standings points with Anaheim (2005-11) and Toronto (2011-15). He has led to his teams to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six seasons along with an appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, two appearances in the Western Conference Final and three appearances in the Conference Semifinals.

Team Release.