Players of the Night:
Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens: Galchenyuk went into Friday’s game with no goals in his last 15 games. He managed to score not one, not two, but three goals against the Islanders. He also registered a primary assist on Brendan Gallagher’s first-period goal. That’s one way to celebrate your 400th career game.
Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche: It seemed impossible to top Galchenyuk’s night, but MacKinnon found a way to do it. The Avs forward picked up two goals and three assists against Minnesota. Since returning from an upper-body injury on Feb. 18, he’s accumulated 15 points in seven games.
Mikko Rantanen, Colorado Avalanche: Rantanen “only” had four points tonight, as he scored a goal and three assists against the Wild. If you haven’t figured it out already, the Avalanche scored seven times in Friday’s win. Touchdown!
Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers: Someone forgot to tell Lundqvist that the Rangers are rebuilding. For the second game in a row, King Henrik has turned aside 50 shots in a Rangers win. Oh, he also turned 36 years old on Friday.
Patrik Laine, Winnipeg Jets: Laine scored two more goals in Friday night’s win over the Red Wings. The 19-year-old is now riding a seven-game point streak. What’s even more impressive, is that he’s put together six multi-point efforts in his last seven outings.
Highlights of the Night:
Yea, Mikael Backlund is going to see Lundqvist in his nightmares tonight:
It wasn’t the most amazing goal you’ll ever see, but Taylor Hall has at least one point in each of his last 24 games:
Four Red Wings surrounding Laine? No problem:
Patrik Laine is spending his Friday night making the Red Wings look like pylons https://t.co/QyEL6uGgmG
— Yahoo Sports Canada (@YahooCASports) March 3, 2018
Mike Fisher scored in his first game of the season:
A wicked release by MacKinnon:
For your Hart trophy consideration: @Mackinnon9. pic.twitter.com/2zZwFlnRrG
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) March 3, 2018
Calle Jarnkrok in OT:
Calle Jarnkrok is a badddd man. #Preds complete the comeback to top the #Canucks 4-3. pic.twitter.com/u1hkpmslf8
— AtoZ Sports Nashville (@AtoZSports) March 3, 2018
Factoids of the Night:
The Islanders still can’t keep the puck out of the net:
18th time this season #Isles have allowed at least 5 goals. That's 27.7% of their games.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) March 3, 2018
Lundqvist has been pretty busy over the last two games:
Henrik Lundqvist is the first goaltender in NHL history (since saves were first tracked in 1955-56) to make 50 or more saves and earn a win in two consecutive games. #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) March 3, 2018
Another mention for Laine:
Patrik Laine of the @NHLJets scored twice to move into a tie with Steve Yzerman for the sixth-most goals in NHL history by a teenager. #NHLStats #DETvsWPG pic.twitter.com/8Nfn4cpnbd
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 3, 2018
Hall is in some elite company:
Taylor Hall of the @NJDevils is the eighth different player in the last 30 years (since 1987-88) to record at least one point in 24+ consecutive appearances. #NHLStats #NJDvsCAR pic.twitter.com/CnvblPENVn
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 3, 2018
Scores:
Canadiens 6, Islanders 3
Panthers 4, Sabres 1
Hurricanes 3, Devils 1
Jets 4, Red Wings 3
Avalanche 7, Wild 1
Rangers 3, Flames 1
Predators 4, Canucks 3 (OT)
Senators 5, Golden Knights 4
Ducks 4, Blue Jackets 2
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Joey Alfieri is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @joeyalfieri.