Players of the Night:
Tuukka Rask, Boston Bruins, Keith Kinkaid, New Jersey Devils and Curtis McElhinney, Toronto Maple Leafs: Where do we begin on the night of the shutout? Rask didn’t have a particularly busy night making 23 saves, but when you’re facing names like Kucherov and Stamkos, it’s always dangerous. Still, Rask kept rolling along. He is 27-3-2 in his past 32 starts. That’s just silly. ... Kinkaid, meanwhile stopped 38 -- including 19 in the first period -- in a 3-0 win against the Kings for his fourth career shutout. ... No Frederik Andersen for Toronto? No problem. McElhinney stepped in and pitched a 33-save performance as the Leafs down the Montreal Canadiens 4-0.
Alex Pietrangelo, St. Louis Blues: The Blues defenseman scored twice in regulation and then assisted on Brayden Schenn’s overtime winner to cap off a three-point night.
Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Wild: While he didn’t get a shutout, Dubnyk did stop 30 of 31 en route to his 200th career NHL win. The win was also important for the Wild, who moved to within five points of the Winnipeg Jets for second place in the Central Division, and moved five points ahead of the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche for third place.
Highlights of the Night:
Filthy pass:
😱
— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2018
Oh my, @ChrisKreider. You sir have outdone yourself. #NYRvsSTL https://t.co/naJoCnkF95
First-goal celebrations are always the best:
The celly says it all. Nothing like career goal No. 1.
— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2018
Congrats, @11_ands! #NHLFirsts pic.twitter.com/i9ZfZziunc
Voracek with a slick move in front:
Someone hand @jachobe a deep cleanser. Man needs to wash his mitts. https://t.co/2EVvUTdwbO
— NHL (@NHL) March 18, 2018
Save of the year candidate:
That's a solid 16 counts of robbery for @strombone1. https://t.co/KIoNLey4PV
— NHL (@NHL) March 17, 2018
Factoids of the Night:
Home is where the wins are:
Longest home win streaks this season:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 18, 2018
12 GP – @MapleLeafs (Jan. 31 – Present)
11 GP – @penguins (Jan. 7 – Feb. 17)
10 GP – @Avalanche (Dec. 29 – Feb. 14)
10 GP – @Capitals (Dec. 2 – Jan. 9)#NHLStats #MTLvsTOR pic.twitter.com/IOY0Hqq0UA
A legend passes a legend:
Patrick Marleau of the @MapleLeafs is skating in his 1,565th career regular-season game and passed Nicklas Lidstrom (1,564) for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL’s all-time list. #NHLStats #MTLvsTOR pic.twitter.com/Oo0sJBrNck
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 18, 2018
Believe in McJesus:
Connor McDavid of the @EdmontonOilers is tied for second in the NHL with 34-55—89 this season (71 GP).
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 17, 2018
He can become the first player to lead the League outright in points in consecutive seasons since Jaromir Jagr, who did so in four straight from 1997-98 to 2000-01. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/olwPib1U7p
Scary Scenes of the Night:
- David Backes had his leg lacerated, requiring several stitches to repair.
- Ryan Dzingel took a one-timer to the back of his head.
Scores:
Sabres 5, Blackhawks 3
Oilers 4, Panthers 2
Devils 3, Kings 0
Maple Leafs 4, Canadiens 0
Bruins 3, Lightning 0
Flyers 4, Hurricanes 2
Blue Jackets 2, Senators 1
Blue 4, Rangers 3 (OT)
Wild 3, Coyotes 1
Sharks 5, Canucks 3
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck