NHL NEWS FEB 18 – HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA

All seven Canadian teams will be in action on today, including three all-Canadian match-ups, as Canada celebrates the 17th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada starting at noon ET.

In addition to four live NHL games, the 13.5 hour broadcast hosted by Ron MacLean from festivities in Kenora, Ont., will feature appearances by NHL alumni including Lanny McDonald, Bryan Trottier and Kenora native Mike Richards. The broadcast will also highlight stories that shine a spotlight on the important role that tradition and history play in Canada’s national pastime.

FIRST CAREER OT GOALS POWER VICTORIES

The Blue Jackets and Avalanche both benefited from first career overtime goals on Friday.

Brandon Dubinsky scored the first overtime goal of his career (675 GP) in highlight-reel fashion and Sergei Bobrovsky made a season-high 38 saves as the Blue Jackets (37-15-5, 79 points) moved within a point of the Penguins (36-13-8, 80 points) for second place in the Eastern Conference. Bobrovsky improved to 31-12-3 this season with a 2.17 GAA, .926 SV% and 3 SO, moving into a tie with Devan Dubnyk (31-10-3) for the most wins this season.

Avalanche rookie Mikko Rantanen (60 GP) netted his first career overtime marker as the Avalanche snapped a five-game skid and defeated the Hurricanes in Carolina for the first time since Jan. 12, 2008 (5-4 W).

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• Evgeni Malkin (0-1—1) earned the 500th assist of his career to help the Penguins extend their point streak to nine games (6-0-3)
• The Ducks used Pride Tape in warmup as part of You Can Play night
• Multi-platinum Grammy-nominated band OneRepublic will headline the entertainment at the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series.

FRIDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
COLUMBUS 2, Pittsburgh 1 (OT)
Colorado 2, CAROLINA 1 (OT)
Florida 4, ANAHEIM 1

SATURDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
St. Louis @ Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Washington @ Detroit, 2 p.m.
Winnipeg @ Montreal, 2 p.m.
Edmonton @ Chicago, 7 p.m.
NY Islanders @ New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Ottawa @ Toronto, 7 p.m.
San Jose @ Arizona, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay @ Dallas, 8 p.m.
Nashville @ Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Florida @ Los Angeles, 10 p.m.
Calgary @ Vancouver, 10 p.m.