NHL NEWS MARCH 18 – THREE GAMES FEATURED ON HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA

NHL NEWS MARCH 18 – Three of today’s 10 games are featured on Hockey Night in Canada.

The Western Conference-leading Blackhawks (45-20-5, 95 points) take on the Maple Leafs (32-23-14, 78 points) – who will honor one of the earliest eras in the franchise’s history by wearing Toronto St. Pats uniforms – in an Original Six matchup at Air Canada Centre. Chicago has won four consecutive games versus Toronto dating to Dec. 21, 2014 (TOR: 0-3-1).

The Canadiens (39-23-8, 86 points) and Senators (39-23-7, 85 points), who will play in the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, square off in a home-and-home set between the top two teams in the Atlantic Division. Ottawa holds a 2-0-0 edge over Montreal in their five-game season series (MTL: 0-1-1).

The Oilers (37-24-9, 83 points) host the Canucks (28-33-9, 65 points) at Rogers Place. Edmonton has scored seven goals in each of their last two games, earning a 7-1 win on Tuesday and a 7-4 win on Thursday. Elias notes the Oilers last scored seven or more goals in consecutive games Dec. 4-7, 1988.

NHL NEWS MARCH 18  AND OTHER MUSINGS

• Rasmus Ristolainen scored a highlight-reel goal in the shootout and Zemgus Girgensons tallied the decisive marker to power the Sabres to victory
• Penguins forward Carter Rowney (1-1—2) scored the first goal of his NHL career (15 GP)
• Rangers forward Chris Kreider (0-1—1) extended his point streak to five games (2-4—6)
• Ducks forward Rickard Rakell scored for the fourth straight game (4-1—5)
• The NHL Centennial Fan Arena is visiting Ottawa
• The donation of the Stanley Cup was designated as a National Historic Event by the government of Canada.
• Sidney Crosby registered the 640th assist of his NHL career (all w/ PIT) to tie Jaromir Jagr for second on the franchise’s all-time list.

FRIDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Florida 4, NY RANGERS 3 (SO)
PITTSBURGH 6, New Jersey 4
CALGARY 3, Dallas 1
Buffalo 2, ANAHEIM 1 (SO)

SATURDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Colorado @ Detroit Red Wings, 1 p.m.
Columbus @ NY Islanders, 1 p.m.
NY Rangers @ Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Chicago @ Toronto, 7 p.m.
Montreal @ Ottawa, 7 p.m.
Washington @ Tampa Bay, 7 p.m.
Nashville @ Carolina, 7 p.m.
St. Louis @ Arizona, 9 p.m.
Vancouver @ Edmonton, 10 p.m.
Anaheim @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.