NHL NEWS MARCH 11, 2023 – BRINGING COMEBACK CATS BACK AS FLORIDA CONTINUES PLAYOFF PUSH
Trailing 2-0 midway through the third period, the Panthers scored twice in 29 seconds to tie the game before Eetu Luostarinen gave Florida its first lead of the night a few minutes later. A tying goal from the Blackhawks in the final minute of regulation set the stage for Brandon Montour to record his second career overtime winner as the Panthers (33-27-6, 72 points) moved within two points of the idle Penguins (32-22-10, 74 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.
- Montour recorded his fourth game winner of 2022-23 and tied the Panthers record for the most game-winning goals by a defenseman in a season, a mark that Aaron Ekblad hit three times (4 in 2017-18, 2015-16 & 2014-15). With an assist on the play, Aleksander Barkov recorded his 22nd career overtime point and matched Jonathan Huberdeau for the most in franchise history.
- The Panthers led the NHL in both third-period comeback wins (15) and multi-goal third-period comeback wins (4) in 2021-22.
GIBSON SETS FRANCHISE RECORD
On Friday John Gibson established a franchise record via the all-time career saves list as the Ducks (22-35-9, 53 points) stymied the Flames (29-24-13, 71 points), who are in pursuit of the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
BRUINS LOOK TO CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT ON NATIONAL BROADCAST
A 15-game Saturday features a matinee doubleheader on ABC, ESPN+ and SN1, headlined by the NHL-leading Bruins (49-9-5, 103 points) who will look to become the fastest team in NHL history to reach 50 wins in a season and clinch a playoff spot when they clash with the Red Wings (29-26-9, 67 points) at TD Garden.
- Boston, which can clinch a playoff berth with a win against Detroit and pending results from other games, would secure its seventh consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and 76th playoff appearance – the second most in NHL history behind longtime rival Montreal (85).
- The Bruins can become just the third team to clinch a playoff spot in 64 or fewer contests in an 82-game schedule (since 1995-96) – a feat only the 1995-96 Red Wings (59 GP on Feb. 25, 1996) and 1998-99 Stars (63 GP on March 10, 1999) have achieved to date.
MAPLE LEAFS, OILERS CLASH ON HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA
Mitchell Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs (39-17-8, 86 points) host Leon Draisaitl and the Oilers (36-22-8, 80 points) at Scotiabank Arena during the first game of a doubleheader nationally broadcast on CBC and Sportsnet.
- Draisaitl (41-56— 97 in 64 GP) can become just the fifth player born outside of North America to record four-plus 100-point seasons – he would join Peter Stastny (7x), Jari Kurri (6x), Jaromir Jagr (5x) and Alex Ovechkin (4x).
- With a point Saturday, Marner (23-56—79 in 64 GP) can become the fourth player in Maple Leafs history to post three or more 80-point seasons – Darryl Sittler (8x), Mats Sundin (4x) and Lanny McDonald (4x) are the only skaters that have accomplish the feat with the franchise.