Three stars
1. Carter Hart, Philadelphia Flyers
Hart has four straight wins, so now, too, do the Flyers.
The future has arrived in Philly’s crease and it’s looking good so far. Hart stopped 31 shots against a potent Winnipeg Jets offense that was rather stymied by the rookie netminder.
Hart isn’t just beating up on poor teams, either. He’s got wins against the Wild, the Bruins, the Canadiens and now the Jets during his streak.
Unsolicited advice for the Flyers: give this kid what he needs to shine.
2. Travis Zajac, New Jersey Devils
A four-point night by Zajac helped get the Devils past the Penguins in a 6-3 win.
Zajac opened the scoring in the game and assisted on three of the next four New Jersey goals, including the eventual game-winner.
The Penguins have lost two in a row now and sit in the second wild-card spot in the East. The Devils, despite the win, are 13 points adrift.
3. Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers
Hart needed some run support to beat the Jets and Konecny made sure he got it, scoring the game-winner in the second period and then assisting on the James van Riemsdyk’s insurance marker in the third.
It’s back-to-back two point games for the 21-year-old, who has 13 goals and 28 points now in 49 games in his third NHL season.
Highlights of the night
Passing so good:
Shorty:
A man down and a goal up thanks to @BriBrows22. pic.twitter.com/R92WxlE4hZ
— NHL (@NHL) January 29, 2019
Factoids
Only four other goaltenders in the last 20 years have won at least four consecutive starts prior to his 21st birthday: Steve Mason (2008-09 w/ CBJ), Carey Price (2007-08 w/ MTL), Kari Lehtonen (2003-04 w/ ATL) and Dan Blackburn (2001-02 w/ NYR). #NHLStats #WPGvsPHI pic.twitter.com/w2E0AMBlG8
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 29, 2019
The @NJDevils’ longest stretch of contests without a regulation loss against one opponent is 23, when they went 15-0-8 from Feb. 17, 1997 - March 21, 2001 against the Rangers. #NHLStats #NJDvsPIT pic.twitter.com/PlDDeYX2CA
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 29, 2019
Scores
Flyers 3, Jets 1
Devils 6, Penguins 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