NHL Review March 7 2018 – Sid the Kid Hits 1100

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Calgary 5, BUFFALO 1
Pittsburgh 5, PHILADELPHIA 2
Arizona 2, VANCOUVER 1

CROSBY NETS THREE ASSISTS TO REACH MILESTONE IN PENGUINS WIN
Captain Sidney Crosby tallied 0-3—3 to reach the 1,100-point milestone (404-696—1,000) and lead Pittsburgh past Philadelphia and into first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins (39-25-4, 82 points), Capitals (37-22-7, 81 points) and Flyers (34-22-11, 79 points) are separated by just three points as jockeying continues for the top three spots in the division.

Crosby became the 62nd player in NHL history to record 1,100 career points and the second to achieve the feat within the past three weeks – Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (598-509—1,107) hit the mark on Feb. 15, in his 978th career game.

Only 12 players in NHL history have accumulated 1,100 points in fewer contests than Crosby, who hit the mark in his 850th career game. Jaromir Jagr (825 GP on Nov. 30, 2001) was the last to do so faster, whileWayne Gretzky (464 GP on March 17, 1985) and Mario Lemieux (550 GP on Dec. 17, 1992) are the only players to reach the milestone in fewer than 700 games.

The 30-year-old forward has compiled 37-54—91 in 62 career games against the Flyers – his third-best points per game average against any opponent (1.47), behind the Islanders (1.77; 34-74—108 in 61 GP) and Sabres (1.54; 19-38—57 in 37 GP).

Crosby posted the 326th multi-point game of his career, including his 50th performance with at least three assists. Since entering the League in 2005-06, the two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner leads all players with 96 three-point performances – 21 more than the next-closest skater (Ovechkin: 75).

ONE MONTH FROM THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON

The final month of the 2017-18 season will feature 241 games to decide the winner of the Presidents’ Trophy and all 16 berths in the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The campaign concludes Sunday, April 8, when the Bruins and Panthers play a rescheduled game in Boston to follow up a 15-game Saturday that includes every team except the Penguins.

The League-leading Lightning (46-17-4, 96 points) hold a six-point edge against the Bruins (41-15-8, 90 points) for first place in the Atlantic Division, but Boston holds three games in hand. The two clubs meet three more times this season: March 17, March 29 and April 3.

The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins (39-25-4, 82 points) sit atop the Metropolitan Division, with the Capitals (37-22-7, 81 points) and Flyers (34-22-11, 79 points) within striking distance. Each of the three teams has one head-to-head matchup remaining against the other two clubs.

The Western Conference-leading Predators (43-14-9, 95 points) own a six-point lead over the Jets (40-17-9, 89 points) for first place in the Central Division. Nashville has never finished higher than second in its division or third in its conference.

The expansion Golden Knights (42-19-5, 89 points) own a nine-point advantage over the Ducks (34-21-12, 80 points) atop the Pacific Division standings as they aim to conclude their record-setting season with a division title.

BRUINS BACKES SUSPENDED THREE GAMES FOR INTERFERENCE

Boston Bruins forward David Backes has been suspended for three games, without pay, for interference against Detroit Red Wings forward Frans Nielsen during NHL Game No. 1020 in Boston on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.

The incident occurred at 19:44 of the first period. Backes was assessed a minor penalty for roughing.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Backes will forfeit $96,774.18. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

The Detroit Red Wings recalled right wing Evgeny Svechnikov from the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions.

NHL Schedule for Thursday, Mar 8 2018

Matchup	Time
Philadelphia@ Boston	7:00 PM ET
Winnipeg@ New Jersey	7:00 PM ET
Colorado@ Columbus	7:00 PM ET
Buffalo@ Ottawa	7:30 PM ET
Vegas@ Detroit	7:30 PM ET
NY Rangers@ Tampa Bay	7:30 PM ET
Montréal@ Florida	7:30 PM ET
Anaheim@ Nashville	8:00 PM ET
Carolina@ Chicago	8:30 PM ET
NY Islanders@ Edmonton	9:00 PM ET
Washington@ Los Angeles	10:30 PM ET
St. Louis@ San Jose	10:30 PM ET