NHL Review March 16 2018 – Preds Clinch Playoff Berth

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
WASHINGTON 6, NY Islanders 3
OTTAWA 3, Dallas 2 (OT)
Nashville 4, COLORADO 2
San Jose 7, CALGARY 4
ANAHEIM 4, Detroit 2
Minnesota 4, VEGAS 2

PREDATORS CLINCH FIRST BERTH IN 2018 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Colton Sissons and Filip Forsberg each scored twice to help the League-leading Predators (47-14-10, 104 points) become the first team to clinch a berth in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs, their fourth consecutive postseason appearance and 11th in franchise history.

Sissons recorded his first multi-goal game since scoring a hat trick in a Game 6 victory over the Ducks in the 2017 Conference Finals, propelling the Predators to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history.

The Predators opened a four-point lead atop the NHL standings as they pursue the first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history. The highest Nashville has ever placed at the conclusion of a season is third in the Western Conference standings (2014-15: 47-25-10, 104 points).

The Predators extended their overall point streak to 14 games (13-0-1), matching the longest in franchise history (9-0-5 in 2015-16). Only one team has posted a longer point streak this season: the Bruins from Dec. 16 – Jan. 25 (14-0-4).

The Predators extended their road win and point streaks to eight and 14 games (11-0-3), respectively, both franchise records and the longest such runs in the NHL this season.

DUCKS REMAIN HOT AT HOME

Corey Perry scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the Ducks (36-24-12, 84 points) improved to 9-1-2 in their last 12 home games. Anaheim moved into a tie with Los Angeles (39-26-6, 84 points) for the third-most points in the Pacific Division; the Kings, however, hold a game in hand.

Perry scored his first game-winning goal of the season and 63rd of his NHL career (all w/ ANA). Only Teemu Selanne (77) has scored more such goals in franchise history.

MacKINNON, BARRIE EXTEND POINT STREAKS

Avalanche teammates Nathan MacKinnon (1-0—1) and Tyson Barrie (0-1—1) each found the score sheet to extend their respective point streaks.

MacKinnon scored his 11th goal in the last 11 contests to extend his point streak to 11 games (11-10—21). MacKinnon (36-50—86 in 63 GP) moved into a tie with Connor McDavid (33-53—86 in 70 GP) for the third-most points in the NHL this season.

Barrie, meanwhile, collected an assist to extend his career-high point streak to nine games (4-8—12). Only one defenseman in Avalanche/Nordiques franchise history has recorded a longer point streak: Steve Duchesne in 1992-93 (15 GP w/ QUE).

NHL Schedule for Saturday, Mar 17 2018

Matchup

Time

 Chicago@ Buffalo

1:00 PM ET

 Edmonton@ Florida

2:00 PM ET

 New Jersey@ Los Angeles

4:00 PM ET

 Montréal@ Toronto

7:00 PM ET

 Boston@ Tampa Bay

7:00 PM ET

 Philadelphia@ Carolina

7:00 PM ET

 Ottawa@ Columbus

7:00 PM ET

 NY Rangers@ St. Louis

8:00 PM ET

 Minnesota@ Arizona

9:00 PM ET

 San Jose@ Vancouver

10:00 PM ET

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