NHL NEWS JAN 16 – FIVE MATINEES HIGHLIGHT MONDAY’S SLATE

Monday’s seven-game slate features five afternoon contests as Martin Luther King Jr. Day is observed in the United States. Islanders captain John Tavares, who has five goals in his past two games, looks to continue his hot streak when his club visits the Bruins at TD Garden, where Brad Marchand posted five points in a 6-3 victory on Saturday; the Stars visit the Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo; the Atlantic Division-leading Canadiens visit the Red Wings for their second-last regular-season meeting at Joe Louis Arena; Willie O’Ree, the first black player in NHL history, will drop the ceremonial puck before the Lightning face the Kings at STAPLES Center; and the Jets close a three-game road trip against the Sharks.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• The Wild have won eight consecutive regular-season games vs. CHI dating to Feb. 3, 2015 (CHI: 0-7-1)
• Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane scored twice and ranks second in the NHL with 14-33—47 this season (46 GP)
• Canucks captain Henrik Sedin collected an assist to move within two points of becoming the first player in franchise history to reach the 1,000-point milestone (231-767—998)
• Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (1-4—5)
• Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom notched two assists to reach 30 helpers on the season and extend his point streak to six games (3-9—12). The performance came after he was presented with a gold stick in recognition of becoming the first player in franchise history to record 500 career assists.

SUNDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
WASHINGTON 5, Philadelphia 0
New Jersey 2, VANCOUVER 1 (OT)
Minnesota 3, CHICAGO 2
St. Louis 2, ANAHEIM 1 (OT)

MONDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
NY Islanders @ Boston, 1 p.m.
Dallas @ Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Montreal @ Detroit, 3 p.m.
Tampa Bay @ Los Angeles, 4 p.m.
Winnipeg @ San Jose, 4 p.m.
Washington @ Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Arizona @ Edmonton, 9 p.m.