Aleksander Barkov (2-0—2) scored twice, including his team-leading fifth game-winning goal of the season, to help the Panthers defeat the Coyotes and stretch their point streak to four games (3-0-1).

Barkov, playing in his first game after missing six with an injury, registered his third multi-goal game of the season (also Dec. 27 vs. CBJ: 2-0—2 and Dec. 29 vs. MTL: 2-1—3) and has scored in five of his last six outings (6-1—7).

Roberto Luongo (22 saves) improved to 7-1-1 in his last nine decisions and 26-14-5 overall (2.26 GAA, .925 SV%, 4 SO).

At 35-18-7 (77 points), the Panthers increased their lead to five points over the idle Lightning (34-22-4, 72 points) and Bruins (33-22-6, 72 points) atop the Atlantic Division standings.

MILESTONES & MUSINGS

• Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr (742-1,104—1,846) registered an assist to climb within four points of tying Gordie Howe (801-1,049—1,850) for third place all-time.
• Coyotes captain Shane Doan (1-1—2) skated in his 1,446th career game and tied Tim Horton for 24th on the NHL’s all-time games played list. Doan registered his ninth multi-point game of the season and leads the club with 23 goals.
• Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell registered his 400th career assist (81-400—481) and became the third active blueliner to reach the milestone (Dan Boyle: 439 and Andrei Markov: 413).
• Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky scored while skating in the 600th game of his NHL career.
• The Blackhawks acquired forward Andrew Ladd, forward Matt Fraser and defenseman Jay Harrison from the Jets in exchange for forward Marko Dano, a first-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft, and a conditional pick in the 2018 NHL Draft
• Forward Shawn Thornton agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension with the Panthers
• The Ducks claimed forward Chris Wagner off waivers from the Avalanche

THURSDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
PHILADELPHIA 3, Minnesota 2
COLUMBUS 6, New Jersey 1
TORONTO 3, Carolina 1
FLORIDA 3, Arizona 2
NY Rangers 2, ST. LOUIS 1
Nashville 3, CHICAGO 1
Winnipeg 6, DALLAS 3
NY Islanders 2, CALGARY 1 (OT)
VANCOUVER 5, Ottawa 3
LOS ANGELES 2, Edmonton 1

SNEAK PEEK AT FRIDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ New Jersey, 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota @ Washington, 7:00 p.m.
Boston @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m.
Edmonton @ Anaheim, 10:00 p.m.
Buffalo @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.