NHL NEWS APRIL 12, 2023 – ULLMARK, BRUINS CARVE NAMES ATOP ANOTHER NHL RECORD

Two days after setting the League record for wins in a season, David Pastrnak (0-2—2) and Linus Ullmark (19 saves) helped the Bruins (64-12-5, 133 points) add another ribbon on their historic season by recording the most points by a team in a campaign, besting the 1976-77 Canadiens (132 points).

• David Pastrnak boosted his season totals to 60-51—111 (81 GP) and joined Connor McDavid (64-88—152 in 81 GP) as the second player this season to record 60 goals and 50 assists. Prior to 2022-23, the last campaign to feature a player reach those numbers was 1995-96: Mario Lemieux (69-92—161) and Jaromir Jagr (62-87—149).
• Ullmark (40-6-1) became the second goaltender in Bruins history with a 40-win season, joining Pete Peeters (40-12-9 in 1982-83).

JETS, IDLE PANTHERS CLINCH BERTHS IN 2023 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

The Jets (46-32-3, 95 points) earned a victory versus the Wild to clinch the Western Conference’s eighth and final berth in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the idle Panthers (42-31-8, 92 points) locked up the Eastern Conference’s seventh postseason spot by virtue of the Devils defeating the Sabres and the Blackhawks beating the Penguins in regulation.

• Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped 33 shots Tuesday including making a highlight-reel stick save on Mats Zuccarello late in the third period, is the only goaltender to have the decision for every playoff win by an active NHL franchise – two netminders did so for defunct clubs (Gary Smith: 3 w/ Oakland Seals/California Golden Seals/Cleveland Barons; Roy “Shrimp” Worters: 1 w/ Pittsburgh Pirates/Philadelphia Quakers).
• The Panthers are headed to the postseason for a fourth straight year and ninth time in franchise history, marking the eighth consecutive season – and 33rd time in 36 campaigns since the trophy’s inception – that the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners have qualified for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

FOUR CLUBS CLINCH HOME-ICE ADVANTAGE FOR 2023 FIRST ROUND

The Hurricanes (51-21-9, 111 points) and Devils (51-22-8, 110 points) earned wins to clinch home-ice advantage in the 2023 First Round, while the Avalanche (49-24-7, 105 points) and idle Stars (45-21-14, 104 points) will also start the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs as hosts thanks to the Jets’ victory Tuesday.

• Antti Raanta recorded 20 saves to improve to 19-3-3 in 27 appearances this season (2.23 GAA, .910 SV%, 4 SO) and help Carolina maintain its one-point edge over New Jersey in the race for the Metropolitan Division title. Raanta’s winning percentage of .704 is the second highest among all goaltenders this season (min. 25 GP) behind Linus Ullmark (.816 W%).
• With his brother, Luke, making his NHL debut for the Devils, Jack Hughes wrote his name next to a franchise record with his 97th point of 2022-23 as New Jersey defeated Buffalo to improve to 51-22-8 (110 points). The Devils tied their franchise record for most wins in a season – set in 2008-09 – and moved within two points of their benchmark for most points in a campaign (111 points in 2000-01).

PETTERSSON POCKETS 100TH POINT

Tuesday, Elias Pettersson (38-63—101 in 79 GP) posted two assists to reach the 100-point mark for the first time in his career. Pettersson became the seventh first-time 100-point scorer this season (also David Pastrnak, Nathan MacKinnon, Jason Robertson, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Mikko Rantanen & Erik Karlsson), tied for the most in League history (w/ 1984-85 & 1992-93).

COYOTES, KINGS HEADED DOWN UNDER FOR 2023 NHL GLOBAL SERIES

The League and NHLPA announced Tuesday that the Coyotes and Kings will play the first-ever NHL games in the Southern Hemisphere during the 2023 NHL Global Series – Melbourne, with the preseason contests taking place at Rod Laver Arena from Sept. 23-24. Click here for more details on the historic announcement.

ROBERTSON’S CAREER SEASON CONTINUES ON TNT DOUBLEHEADER

Jason Robertson (46-60—106 in 80 GP), with multiple points in each of his past three road games, will attempt to surpass Dino Ciccarelli (55-51—106 in 1981-82) for the second-most points in a single season in Stars/North Stars history when Dallas takes to the ice in the first of two nationally-broadcasted games on TNT.

• Robertson, who already stands as one of seven different U.S.-born players in NHL history with a 60-assist season before their 24th birthday (including Quinn Hughes: 66 in 2022-23 & 60 in 2021-22), is one of just three to record a 100-point campaign.

Jets’ Pionk Fined for Cross-Checking

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Neal Pionk has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for cross-checking Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Johansson during NHL Game No. 1291 in Minnesota on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. The incident occurred at 19:10 of the third period. Pionk was assessed a major penalty for cross-checking. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Wild’s Hartman Suspended One Game for Interference

Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman has been suspended for one game, without pay, for interference against Winnipeg Jets forward Nikolaj Ehlers during NHL Game No. 1291 in Minnesota on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. The incident occurred at 11:28 of the third period. Hartman was assessed a minor penalty for interference. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Hartman will forfeit $9,189.19. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Video details a full explanation of the decision.