* Danton Heinen scored the fastest two goals by a Penguins player in nearly 22 years as he made his return to Boston, the team who selected him in the 2014 NHL Draft and skated in four seasons with.
* Alex Pietrangelo (123-377—500 in 844 GP) recorded his 500th NHL point and required the fifth-fewest games among active defensemen to do so, behind Erik Karlsson (613 GP), Kris Letang (753 GP), John Carlson (783 GP) and Victor Hedman (790 GP).
* Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 27 shots to record his 27th career shutout and stunt a number of the Wild’s streaks, including their six- and 10-game win and point streaks, respectively, and Kevin Fiala’s point streak at 12 games.
HEINEN HAULS PENGUINS TO MULTI-GOAL COMEBACK WIN WITH TWO QUICK GOALS
Danton Heinen (2-0—2) scored twice 28 seconds apart to erase a two-goal deficit and Sidney Crosby (1-0—1) moved within one of the 500-goal milestone as the third-place Penguins (28-11-8, 64 points) matched the Rangers (30-13-4, 64 points) – who sit second in the Metropolitan Division – in terms of standing points.
* Crosby improved his career totals against the Bruins to 17-48—65 (51 GP) – the highest total among active players. Crosby leads all active players in scoring against seven franchises (also BUF, NJD, NYI, NYR, PHI & WSH) – Joe Thornton (8: ANA, ARI, CHI, COL, DAL, EDM, LAK & VAN) is the only current NHL skater with more franchises in that scenario.
* Pittsburgh secured its fourth multi-goal comeback win of the season, which trails only Minnesota (5) for the most among all teams.
PIETRANGELO POTS ONE FOR 500TH CAREER POINT
Alex Pietrangelo (1-0—1) scored to record his 500th career point, while Laurent Brossoit (28 saves) secured his third career shutout – and first as a member of the Golden Knights – as Vegas (28-16-3, 59 points) earned its third straight win, padding its lead atop the Pacific Division.
* Pietrangelo became the fourth defenseman from the 2008 NHL Draft class to record 500 career points, joining Erik Karlsson (151-500—651 in 821 GP), Drew Doughty (130-430—560 in 1,003 GP) and John Carlson (124-433—557 in 853 GP).
LAINE, JENNER LEAD BLUE JACKETS PAST CAPITALS IN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR
After Patrik Laine (2-1—3) helped the Blue Jackets erase 2-0 and 3-2 deficits, and Tom Wilson tied the game for Washington with 2:26 remaining in regulation, Boone Jenner (1-1—2) scored the go-ahead goal with 45 seconds left in the third period to lead Columbus to victory. Thirteen of the Blue Jackets’ 21 wins in 2021-22 have been in come-from-behind fashion.
* Laine, with multiple points in each of his past four games dating to Jan. 27 (6-3—9), became the first player in Blue Jackets history to record three consecutive multi-goal outings. Two other players have done so this season: Bryan Rust (3 GP from Jan. 2-6) and Brad Marchand (3 GP from Jan. 8-12).
* ICYMI: With his parents in attendance, 22-year-old Trey Fix-Wolansky scored in his NHL debut. Fix-Wolansky, who has an Alex Ovechkin jerey hanging in his room back home, was selected by Columbus in the seventh round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
HELLEBUYCK BLANKS WILD ON #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Tuesday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates featured Connor Hellebuyck, who stopped all 27 shots he faced to record his 27th career shutout. Hellebuyck helped the Jets end a number of Minnesota’s streaks, including its six- and 10-game win and point streaks, respectively, and Kevin Fiala’s 12-game point streak.
QUICK CLICKS
* Tickets to 2022 Navy Federal NHL Stadium Series on sale now
* Scott Niedermayer named Ducks special adviser to hockey operations
* Daniel Briere named Flyers special assistant to general manager
* Bill Chadwick was NHL referee, Hall of Famer despite losing sight in
* J.T. Miller scores coast-to-coast goal, secures 400th and 401st career point
BLACK HOCKEY HISTORY HIGHLIGHT: SHAWN THORNS
Shawn Thorns broke into professional hockey after tearing his meniscus playing goalie in his teens. A friend who worked for South Carolina of the ECHL knew Thorns was restless hobbling around at home and gave him an invitation to come help clean visors just to get him out of the house. Years later, Thorns is now head equipment manager for the Panthers’ ECHL affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina and has visions of taking his talents to the NHL.
* Read more on his story in William Douglas’ latest Color of Hockey piece on NHL.com.
TNT DOUBLEHEADER HEADLINES WEDNESDAY SLATE
The Predators (28-14-4, 60 points) and Stars (23-18-2, 48 points) as well as the Islanders (16-17-6 38 points) and Canucks (21-20-6, 48 points) are two of six games scheduled for Wednesday, with both nationally broadcast on TNT.
* Nashville is 4-0-1 in its past five games dating to Jan. 20 and have been led by Filip Forsberg over that span (5-3—8 in 5 GP). Forsberg, with multiple points in each of his past four contests, can become the first player in Predators history to register two or more points in five straight games.
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* Stars forward Joe Pavelski (Plover, Wis.) has notched 19-29—48 in 43 games this season and sits one shy of his second straight 20-goal campaign with Dallas and the 12th of his career. Should he reach the benchmark Wednesday, Pavelski – a seventh round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft (205th overall) – would become the seventh U.S.-born player in League history to record 12 or more 20-goal seasons and third active joining Patrick Kane (13) and Phil Kessel (12).
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