NHL Recap February 7, 2024 – RANGERS, MAPLE LEAFS AND WILD EARN WINS WEDNESDAY

The Rangers (32-16-3, 67 points), Maple Leafs (26-15-8, 60 points) and Wild (22-23-5, 49 points) secured victories Wednesday:

• Jimmy Vesey potted a pair of goals and Jonathan Quick (18 saves) picked up his third straight win as New York strengthened its lead atop the Metropolitan Division and moved within four points of Eastern Conference-leading Boston (31-10-9, 71 points).
• Quick, who has started in each of the Rangers’ last three games, earned the 387th win of his NHL career and moved within four of tying Ryan Miller (391) for the most by a U.S.-born goaltender in League history. Quick (38 years, 17 days) became the second active netminder with a three-game winning streak at age 38 or older, joining Marc-Andre Fleury (2x in 2022-23).
• Mitchell Marner and William Nylander (2-1—3) each scored within 52 seconds after Evgenii Dadonov (2-0—2) pulled the Stars even via the third penalty-shot goal of his NHL career as Toronto defeated Dallas. The Maple Leafs, who scored the second-fastest two tallies by a team after allowing a penalty-shot goal in League history behind the Blues on April 3, 2015 (0:43), moved ahead of the Lightning (27-19-5, 59 points) for third place in the Atlantic Division.
• Auston Matthews (41-20—61 in 48 GP) notched his NHL-leading 41st goal of the season to move four ahead of Sam Reinhart (37-25—62 in 50 GP) in the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race. Matthews ensured that he will conclude the campaign with a goals-per-game rate of 0.50 or higher for a seventh straight season.
• Marcus Foligno scored the winning goal against his brother, Nick, and Brock Faber assisted on the marker as Minnesota clipped Chicago to move within five points of the “playoff line” in the Western Conference. Faber (4-26—30 in 50 GP) tied the franchise record for most points in a season by a rookie defenseman, set by Filip Kuba in 2000-01 (9-21—30 in 75 GP).
• Wednesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured more notes from the three-game slate, including the Wild earning their 11th consecutive victory versus the Blackhawks dating to Feb. 4, 2020. That marks Minnesota’s second-longest winning streak against one opponent in franchise history behind a 13-game run versus Anaheim from Jan. 20, 2021 to Dec. 21, 2022.

THURSDAY’S SEVEN-GAME SLATE FEATURES TRIO OF NATIONAL TELECASTS
Thursday’s seven-game slate will feature three national broadcasts. In Canada, the Canucks (34-11-5, 73 points) visit the Bruins (31-10-9, 71 points) on TVA Sports and Sportsnet programming followed by the Golden Knights (30-15-6, 66 points) and Coyotes (23-22-3, 49 points) closing out the night on TVA Sports and Sportsnet 360. In the U.S., the Lightning (27-19-5, 59 points) conclude the New York metropolitan area portion of their road trip against the Islanders (21-17-12, 54 points) on ESPN.

Jets’ Dillon Suspended Three Games for Illegal Check to the Head

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon has been suspended for three games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Pittsburgh Penguins forward Noel Acciari during NHL Game No. 788 in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024. The incident occurred at 4:13 of the second period. Dillon was assessed a match penalty. Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Dillon will forfeit $60,937.50. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Stars’ Marchment Fined for Interference

Dallas Stars forward Mason Marchment has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for interference against Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe during NHL Game No. 792 in Toronto on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The incident occurred at 18:33 of the second period. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

NHL ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR 2025 DISCOVER NHL WINTER CLASSIC
The NHL, with the help of Connor Bedard on the NHL on TNT broadcast, announced that the 2025 Discover NHL Winter Classic will feature the Blackhawks hosting the Blues at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. The game will be televised exclusively on TNT in the U.S. and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.

DEVILS CHECK OUT STADIUM SERIES SET UP AT METLIFE STADIUM
Devils players Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier visited MetLife Stadium on Wednesday as preparations continue for the 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series, which will see 130,000+ fans gather within a 24-hour period at the home of the NFL’s Jets and Giants to watch outdoor games between the Devils and Flyers (Saturday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m.) and the Rangers and Islanders (Sunday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. ET).