NHL Peachy: NHL MORNING SKATE – MARCH 18, 2017
SENATORS TO HOST CANADIENS IN 2017 SCOTIABANK NHL100 CLASSIC
The 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, featuring the Senators and Canadiens, will take place Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa.
* The outdoor game will pay tribute to a century of NHL contests, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the League’s first games played on Dec. 19, 1917.
* The announcement of the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic was made in Ottawa, continuing the year-long NHL Centennial festivities while Canada celebrates 150 years of Confederation, and the Stanley Cup – the most revered trophy in all sports – celebrates its 125th anniversary.
* Click here for more information.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Florida 4, NY RANGERS 3 (SO)
PITTSBURGH 6, New Jersey 4
CALGARY 3, Dallas 1
Buffalo 2, ANAHEIM 1 (SO)
ELLIOTT EXTENDS WIN STREAK TO 10 GAMES
Brian Elliott made 24 saves to extend his personal win streak to 10 games (1.67 GAA, .944 SV%, 2 SO) and backstop the Flames to victory.
* The Flames (40-27-4, 84 points) moved to 12-1-1 in their last 14 contests and reached the 40-win mark for the first time since 2014-15 (45-30-7, 97 points). Calgary leapfrogged Edmonton (37-24-9, 83 points) for sole possession of third place in the Pacific Division.
* Elias notes that Elliott moved within one victory of the longest win streak by a goaltender in franchise history, set by Mike Vernon in 1988-89 (11-0-0):
Longest win streaks by a goaltender, Flames history
11 – Mike Vernon from Jan. 17 – Feb. 27, 1989
10 – Dan Bouchard from Oct. 14 – Nov. 3, 1978
10 – Mike Vernon from Nov. 3 – Dec. 8, 1988
10 – Brian Elliott from Feb. 21 – March 17, 2017
AGELESS JAGR CONTINUES TO MARVEL IN PANTHERS WIN
Jaromir Jagr registered two assists to help the Panthers earn a 4-3 shootout win over the Rangers.
* Elias notes that Jagr – who earlier this season became just the second player in NHL history to record 1,900 career points (763-1,144—1,907) – has collected 269 points (104-165—269) since celebrating his 40th birthday, passing Gordie Howe (113-155—268) for the most by an NHL player after turning 40 years of age.
CROSBY PROPELS PENGUINS BACK INTO SECOND IN METROPOLITAN DIVISION
Sidney Crosby collected 2-1—3 to help the Penguins (44-17-9, 97 points) leapfrog the Blue Jackets (45-18-6, 96 points) for second place in the Metropolitan Division, one point back of the League-leading Capitals (45-17-8, 98 points).
* Crosby scored his 36th and 37th goals of 2016-17 to move into a tie with Brad Marchand for the most in the NHL this season. Crosby (37-40—77) ranks tied for third in League scoring, trailing only Marchand (37-42—79) and Connor McDavid (24-55—79).
* Crosby registered the 640th assist of his NHL career (all w/ PIT) to tie Jaromir Jagr for second on the franchise’s all-time list.
LOOSE PUCKS
Rasmus Ristolainen scored a highlight-reel goal in the shootout and Zemgus Girgensons tallied the decisive marker to power the Sabres to victory . . . Penguins forward Carter Rowney (1-1—2) scored the first goal of his NHL career (15 GP) . . . Rangers forward Chris Kreider (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (2-4—6) . . . Ducks forward Rickard Rakell scored for the fourth straight game (4-1—5) . . . The NHL Centennial Fan Arena is visiting Ottawa . . . The donation of the Stanley Cup was designated as a National Historic Event by the government of Canada.
SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Colorado @ Detroit, 1 p.m., FS-D, ALT
Columbus @ NY Islanders, 1 p.m., NHLN-US, MSG+, FS-O
NY Rangers @ Minnesota, 7 p.m., NHLN-US, FS-N, FS-WI, MSG
Chicago @ Toronto, 7 p.m., CBC, CITY, CSN-CH
Montreal @ Ottawa, 7 p.m., SN, TVAS
Washington @ Tampa Bay, 7 p.m., SUN, CSN-DC
Nashville @ Carolina, 7 p.m., FS-CR, FS-TN
St. Louis @ Arizona, 9 p.m., FS-A, FS-MW
Vancouver @ Edmonton, 10 p.m., CBC, SN
Anaheim @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., CSN-CA, PRIME
THREE GAMES FEATURED ON HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Three of today’s 10 games are featured on Hockey Night in Canada:
* The Western Conference-leading Blackhawks (45-20-5, 95 points) take on the Maple Leafs (32-23-14, 78 points) – who will honor one of the earliest eras in the franchise’s history by wearing Toronto St. Pats uniforms – in an Original Six matchup at Air Canada Centre. Chicago has won four consecutive games versus Toronto dating to Dec. 21, 2014 (TOR: 0-3-1).
* The Canadiens (39-23-8, 86 points) and Senators (39-23-7, 85 points), who will play in the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, square off in a home-and-home set between the top two teams in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa holds a 2-0-0 edge over Montreal in their five-game season series (MTL: 0-1-1).
* The Oilers (37-24-9, 83 points) host the Canucks (28-33-9, 65 points) at Rogers Place. Edmonton has scored seven goals in each of their last two games, earning a 7-1 win on Tuesday and a 7-4 win on Thursday. Elias notes the Oilers last scored seven or more goals in consecutive games Dec. 4-7, 1988.
METROPOLITAN PLAYOFF RACE HIGHLIGHTS NHL NETWORK DOUBLEHEADER
Three clubs in the Metropolitan Division are featured on an NHL Network doubleheader Saturday:
* In the afternoon, the Blue Jackets (45-18-6, 96 points) visit the Islanders (33-26-11, 77 points) at Barclays Center. Columbus aims to gain ground in the Metropolitan Division where they trail the League-leading Capitals (45-17-8, 98 points) by two points and the second place Penguins (44-17-9, 97 points) by one. Meanwhile, the Islanders look to reclaim the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
* In the evening, the Wild (43-20-6, 92 points) host the Rangers (44-24-3, 91 points) at Xcel Energy Center. Minnesota looks to inch closer to the Western Conference-leading Blackhawks (45-20-5, 95 points), while New York aims to strengthen their hold on the first Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference.
