NHL NEWS FEBRUARY 22 – BATTLE FOR THE ATLANTIC INTENSIFIES

NHL NEWS FEBRUARY 22 – The Canadiens (32-20-8, 72 points) and Senators (32-20-6, 70 points) each earned wins to keep pace in the race for first place in the Atlantic Division.

Carey Price made 28 saves through overtime – including a sprawling stop late in the extra frame – to guide the Canadiens to victory, their first since naming Claude Julien as head coach on Feb. 14. Price earned his 258th career win (all w/ MTL; 492 GP) to tie Ken Dryden (397 GP) for third place in franchise history, behind Jacques Plante (314 W in 556 GP) and Patrick Roy (289 W in 551 GP).

Kyle Turris and Erik Karlsson each scored for the Senators – who were without three regular forwards, including two of their top four point-getters – to help Ottawa win for the fifth time in its past seven outings. Karlsson (537 GP) tallied his 21st career game-winning goal (third this season) to tie Wade Redden (838 GP) for the most all-time among Senators defensemen.

NHL NEWS FEBRUARY 22 AND MUSINGS

• Sidney Crosby scored his League-leading 33rd goal (fifth GWG) to help the Penguins win their final game before facing the Flyers in the 2017 Coors Light NHL Stadium Series
• Nikita Kucherov (1-3—4) helped the Lighting extend their point streak to seven games (5-0-2)
• The Islanders (28-21-10, 66 points) and Kings (29-26-4, 62 points) earned wins to inch closer to Wild Card spots
• As part of their centennial anniversary, the Maple Leafs will pay tribute to one of the earliest eras of their history by wearing Toronto St. Pats uniforms for their game against the Blackhawks on March 18
• Penguins forwards Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust, and Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats will visit Heinz Field in Pittsburgh today as the rink build nears completion ahead of Saturday’s outdoor game
• The Blue Jackets organization marked Hockey Week Across America with a sled hockey game at their outdoor facility
• The Red Wings hosted more than 50 youth and adult players at their morning skate as part of Hockey Is For Everyone month
• Alex Delvecchio, one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, dropped the ceremonial puck ahead of the Islanders-Red Wings game at Joe Louis Arena.

TUESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Pittsburgh 3, CAROLINA 1
Montreal 3, NY RANGERS 2 (SO)
Ottawa 2, NEW JERSEY 1
NY Islanders 3, DETROIT 1
TAMPA BAY 4, Edmonton 1
TORONTO 5, Winnipeg 4 (OT)
Chicago 5, MINNESOTA 3
Calgary 6, NASHVILLE 5 (OT)
Los Angeles 2, COLORADO 1

SNEAK PEEK AT WEDNESDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Edmonton @ Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Washington @ Philadelphia, 8 p.m.
Boston @ Anaheim, 10:30 p.m.