NHL NEWS MARCH 27, 2023 – PASTRNAK REACHES MULTIPLE MILESTONES AS BRUINS SET ANOTHER CLUB RECORD

One day after helping Boston clinch the Atlantic Division title, David Pastrnak (2-0—2) opened the game with his 50th goal of the season and 600th point of his career before netting one more as the Bruins (57-11-5, 119 points) defeated the Hurricanes (47-16-9,103 points). Boston’s 57 wins matched the 1970-71 season for the most in franchise history, while its 27 road victories surpassed the 1971-72 campaign (26) for the club record.

• Pastrnak, who became the sixth player to record 50 goals in a season with the franchise, required the third-fewest games to reach 600 NHL points with the Bruins (291-310—601 in 583 GP), trailing only Bobby Orr (461 GP) and Ray Bourque (569 GP).
• Pastrnak posted his 30th multi-point game of 2022-23. He joined Brad Marchand (31 in 2018-19) and Joe Thornton (33 in 2002-03) as the only Bruins players in the past 20 years to have as many in a single campaign.

KINGS NET SEVEN GOALS, WITHSTAND BLUES RALLY

Adrian Kempe (2-0—2) scored two of his team’s seven goals – five of which came in the first period alone – while Drew Doughty netted the winning tally to help the Kings withstand a Blues comeback attempt and extend their point streak to 12 games, establishing a franchise record. Los Angeles (43-20-10, 96 points) moved within two points of Pacific Division-leading Vegas (46-21-6, 98 points).

• Doughty recorded his 30th career game-winning goal, surpassing Rob Blake for the most in Kings history by a defenseman and for sole possession of seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list among all skaters. In the process, Doughty (33 years, 108 days) also became the oldest blueliner to record a three-game goal streak with Los Angeles, surpassing Jaroslav Modry (31 years, 251 days; 4 GP in 2002-03).

MARNER HELPS MAPLE LEAFS TO VICTORY IN MILESTONE GAME

While skating in his 500th career game, Mitchell Marner (0-1—1) factored on one of his team’s three goals to extend his point streak to 10 contests as Toronto defeated Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. With 166-383—549, Marner has the most assists and points by Toronto Maple Leafs player through as many contests with the franchise.

KELLER EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO 12 GAMES

Clayton Keller reached the 80-point mark and extended his point streak to 12 games on Sunday. Keller (36-44—80 in 74 GP) became the fourth Coyotes/Jets player in the past 30 years to reach the 80-point mark, joining Keith Tkachuk (3x; 1996-97, 1995-96 & 1993-94), Teemu Selanne (1992-93) and Phil Housley (1992-93).

POTENTIAL FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP TAKES TO HULU, ESPN+, TVAS

The countdown is on – the NHL enters the final three weeks of the 2022-23 regular season Monday. A total of 12 teams are in action, including the Kraken (40-24-8, 88 points) who visit the Wild (42-22-9, 93 points) on Hulu, ESPN+ and TVAS in what would be a first-round matchup if the playoffs were to start today.

• When Minnesota overtook first place in the Central Division at the conclusion of play on Saturday, it marked the first time the team sat atop their division since Dec. 28, 2021. The Wild have totaled 19 points in March (8-1-3), which trails only Vegas (22 points), Vancouver (20 points), Boston (20 points) and Los Angeles (20 points) for the most.
• Seattle, which sits in the first Wild Card position, is coming off its fifth seven-goal outing of 2022-23 – the Kraken’s 253 goals for this season trails only the Oilers (286), Bruins (272), Sabres (257) and Devils (254) for the most among all teams. Vince Dunn (13-47—60 in 72 GP) leads the charge for the Kraken, making Seattle one of three clubs to have a blueliner pace the team in points in 2022-23 (also SJS: Erik Karlsson & NSH: Roman Josi).

IDLE MAPLE LEAFS, RANGERS CAN CLINCH MONDAY

The idle Maple Leafs (44-20-9, 97 points) and Rangers (43-20-10, 96 points) can both clinch a postseason berth based on Monday’s results. Toronto will secure its spot if Florida loses to Ottawa in any fashion, while New York can clinch if Buffalo falls to the Montreal Canadiens in any fashion AND the Panthers lose to the Senators in regulation.

Arvidsson, Suzuki and Gustavsson Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson, Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki and Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 26, 2023.

FIRST STAR – VIKTOR ARVIDSSON, RW, LOS ANGELES KINGS

Arvidsson scored and registered multiple points in all three of his appearances, leading the NHL with five total goals (5-2—7) as well as 2-2—4 on the power play to propel the Kings (43-20-10, 96 points) to a perfect week as they extended their point streak to a franchise-record 12 games dating to Feb. 28 (10-0-2). He notched 1-1—2, both on the man-advantage, in an 8-2 victory against the Calgary Flames March 20 to reach the 20-goal milestone for the fifth time (and second time in as many seasons with Los Angeles). Arvidsson then scored twice in a 4-1 triumph over the Winnipeg Jets March 25. He capped the week with 2-1—3, his fourth multi-goal and fifth three-point performance of 2022-23, in a 7-6 win versus the St. Louis Blues March 26. The 29-year-old Arvidsson has played in 68 total contests this season, placing among the top Kings players in goals (3rd; 24), assists (t-5th; 29) and points (4th; 53) as well as power-play goals (t-1st; 9), power-play assists (5th; 12) and power-play points (3rd; 21).

SECOND STAR – NICK SUZUKI, C, MONTREAL CANADIENS

Suzuki paced the NHL with 2-6—8 in three contests to guide the Canadiens (29-38-6, 64 points) to a pair of victories. He collected two assists in a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning March 21. Suzuki (1-1—2) then factored on both Montreal goals in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins March 23. He closed the week with 1-3—4, his first career four-point outing (282 GP), in an 8-2 triumph against the Columbus Blue Jackets March 25 to extend his streak of multi-point performances to four games (2-8—10 dating to March 18) – the longest such run by a Canadiens player since Alex Kovalev achieved the feat nearly 14 years ago (March 28 – April 4, 2009: 4-7—11 in 4 GP). The 23-year-old Suzuki has skated in 73 total contests this season, leading Montreal in assists (38; 13 more than the next-closest player) and points (61; 23 more than the next-closest player) while ranking second in goals (23) behind only Cole Caufield (26).

THIRD STAR – FILIP GUSTAVSSON, G, MINNESOTA WILD

Gustavsson stopped 69 of the 71 shots he faced across two starts, going 2-0-0 with a 0.96 goals-against average and .972 save percentage to lift the Wild (42-22-9, 93 points) into first place in the Central Division on the strength of a 2-0-1 week. Gustavsson made a career-high 47 saves, including a combined 25 in the third period and overtime, in a 2-1 victory against the New Jersey Devils March 23. He then turned aside 22 shots in a 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks March 25. The 24-year-old Gustavsson has appeared in 34 total games this season, ranking second in the NHL with a 2.01 goals-against average and .932 save percentage to go along with a 19-9-5 record and three shutouts. He has earned points in 12 of his past 13 outings (all starts) dating to Feb. 11, compiling an 8-1-4 record, 1.62 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and two shutouts during that timeframe.

RED WINGS SIGN DEFENSEMAN WILLIAM WALLINDER TO THREE-YEAR ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

The Detroit Red Wings have signed defenseman William Wallinder to a three-year entry-level contract beginning with the 2023-24 season. Wallinder will report to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2022-23 season.