NHL NEWS DEC 4 – TOP TEAMS IN METROPOLITAN DIVISION KEEP PACE

The Rangers (17-8-1, 35 points), Penguins (15-7-3, 33 points) and Blue Jackets (14-5-4, 32 points) all picked up wins on Saturday to maintain the top three spots, respectively, in the Metropolitan Division.

Chris Kreider (2-0—2) scored twice in the third period and Derek Stepan (1-2—3) posted his second three-point game of the season as the Rangers extended their home winning streak against Carolina to 13 games. The streak, which began with a 2-1 overtime victory on Jan. 5, 2011, is the longest such run against one opponent in franchise history.

The Penguins found the net four times in the third period – including the decisive marker in the final 10 minutes by Phil Kessel (2-0—2) – to recover from a two-goal deficit for their third win in their past four contests. Elias notes that the Penguins have overcome a multi-goal deficit five times in their 15 wins this season after accomplishing the feat seven times all of last season (48 wins).

The Blue Jackets overcame a 58-save performance by Coyotes goaltender Mike Smith and were aided by shootout goals from Cam Atkinson and Sam Gagner to earn their third straight victory and improve to 8-1-2 in their last 11 games. Smith’s 58 saves and the Blue Jackets’ 60 shots both set new franchise records, previously achieved against one another on April 3, 2012 in a 2-0 Coyotes victory (ARI: 54 saves, CBJ: 54 shots). Elias notes that only three other goaltenders have made 58 or more saves in a regular-season game in the past 25 years: Ben Scrivens (59) w/ EDM on Jan. 29, 2014 vs. SJS; Dwayne Roloson (58) w/NYI on Nov. 23, 2009 at TOR; and Ron Tugnutt (70) w/ QUE on March 21, 1991 at BOS.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• Tuukka Rask made a season-high 35 saves to move into a tie for the League lead with 13 wins (13-4-1, 1.60 GAA, .941 SV%)
• Mike Condon turned aside all 24 shots he faced as the Senators improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven contests, while Kari Lehtonen (23 SV) earned his first shutout of the season to lead the Stars to victory
• Maple Leafs rookie Auston Matthews (1-0—1) has five goals in his last five games (5-1—6) and ranks tied for second among rookies with 11-8—19 this season
• Brian Boyle scored the shootout winner as the Lightning snapped a four-game losing skid
• Despite an overtime loss, the Blues picked up a point in their 12th straight home game (9-0-3)
• Red Wings goaltender Jared Coreau made 32 saves in his NHL debut
• Oilers forward Drake Caggiula scored his first career goal (8 GP) while Leon Draisaitlnetted his first career overtime winner
• Flyers captain Claude Giroux skated in his 600th NHL game
• The Penguins honored members of their 1991 and 1992 Stanley Cup-winning teams in a pre-game ceremony

SATURDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Boston 2, BUFFALO 1
NY RANGERS 4, Carolina 2
PHILADELPHIA 3, Chicago 1
New Jersey 5, NASHVILLE 4 (OT)
VANCOUVER 3, Toronto 2 (SO)
Winnipeg 3, ST. LOUIS 2 (OT)
OTTAWA 2, Florida 0
TAMPA BAY 2, Washington 1 (SO)
PITTSBURGH 5, Detroit 3
Columbus 3, ARIZONA 2 (SO)
Dallas 3, COLORADO 0
EDMONTON 3, Anaheim 2 (OT)

SUNDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Montreal @ Los Angeles, 3 p.m.
Tampa Bay @ Carolina, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia @ Nashville, 6 p.m.
Detroit @ NY Islanders, 6 p.m.
Winnipeg @ Chicago, 7 p.m.
Anaheim @ Calgary, 9:30 p.m.
Minnesota @ Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.