Three stars
1. Matt Murray, Pittsburgh Penguins
Fifty saves. 50. A new career-high.
That’s what Murray had to contend with on Monday against the Flyers, who fired 51 shots Murray’s way in the game. The 24-year-old stopped all but one of them, and was heading to his fourth shutout of the season before Evgeni Malkin decided to try and take someone’s head off.
The effort was sorely needed. The Pens had dropped four straight prior to Monday’s win and were becoming a question mark in the playoff race. They still are, despite the win, but the two points help.
2. Evgeni Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals
Kuznetsov was all over the place in a four-point effort in a 6-4 Capitals win against the Los Angeles Kings.
He scored to tie the game at three, assisted on the go-ahead goal to make it 4-3 and then provided the insurance marker to make it a 6-4 game in the Caps’ favor.
Kuznetsov now has five goals in his past three games, 10 points in his past four and 15 in his past eight.
3. Tomas Hertl, San Jose Sharks
You could pick several in this game. Evander Kane had two goals. Brent Burns had two assists. Melker Karlsson had a goal and an assist.
But Hertl scored his fourth goal in his past three games with his marker. He also added an assist to make it seven points now in a three-game point streak.
The Sharks benefitted heavily from 19-year-old rookie Michael DiPietro being in goal and the Canucks abandoning him.
The Sharks are killing it these days, with six wins on the trot now. With the win, they took over first place in the Pacific Division, one point ahead of Calgary (although the Flames have two games in hand).
Highlights of the night
Bjugstad’s first as a Penguin was a nice rip:
Ovechkin threading the needle:
Alex Ovechkin scores his league-leading 38th goal of the season on the powerplay. The goal is also no. 645 of his career. pic.twitter.com/pVi1GPOfaL
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) February 12, 2019
Jumbo Joe:
And with THIS assist, Joe Thornton has now passed GORDIE HOWE with 1,050 helpers in his career.#SJSharks lead 6-1 on the @Str8ToTheBanc tally. pic.twitter.com/N3yTcvBLV6
— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) February 12, 2019
Factoids
With three points Monday, Sidney Crosby (435-746—1,181 in 917 GP) surpassed Sergei Fedorov (483-696—1,179 in 1,248 GP) into sole possession of 50th place on the NHL's all-time points list. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/irUslyqPMP
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 12, 2019
Joe Thornton keeps climbing all-time NHL lists - he passed Gordie Howe for sole possession of 9th place on the all-time assists list. #NHLStats #SJSvsVAN pic.twitter.com/xAd0bACsC1
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 12, 2019
Most seasons with 30+ goals among players drafted in the 7th round or later:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 12, 2019
12 - Luc Robitaille
9 - Peter Bondra
8 - Theo Fleury
8 - Paul MacLean
8 - Dave Taylor
5 - @jpav8#NHLStats pic.twitter.com/fGlATnYRT3
Scores
Penguins 4, Flyers 1
Capitals 6, Kings 4
Sharks 7, Canucks 2
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