* David Pastrnak reached multiple milestones Sunday, notching his 50th goal of the season and the 600th point of his career in Boston’s franchise record-setting 27th road win of 2022-23.
* The Kings scored seven goals to defeat the Blues and extended their point streak to 12 games, establishing a franchise record.
* Only three weeks remain until the end of the 2022-23 regular season but there’s still plenty of playoff positioning to be determined. A preview of a potential first-round matchup will air on Hulu, ESPN+ and TVAS at 8 p.m. when the Kraken visit the Wild at Xcel Energy Center.
PASTRNAK REACHES MULTIPLE MILESTONES AS BRUINS SET ANOTHER CLUB RECORD
One day after helping Boston clinch the Atlantic Division title, David Pastrnak (2-0—2) opened the game with his 50th goal of the season and 600th point of his career before netting one more as the Bruins (57-11-5, 119 points) defeated the Hurricanes (47-16-9,103 points). Boston’s 57 wins matched the 1970-71 season for the most in franchise history, while its 27 road victories surpassed the 1971-72 campaign (26) for the club record.
* Pastrnak, who became the sixth player to record 50 goals in a season with the franchise, required the third-fewest games to reach 600 NHL points with the Bruins (291-310—601 in 583 GP), trailing only Bobby Orr (461 GP) and Ray Bourque (569 GP).
* Pastrnak posted his 30th multi-point game of 2022-23. He joined Brad Marchand (31 in 2018-19) and Joe Thornton (33 in 2002-03) as the only Bruins players in the past 20 years to have as many in a single campaign.
KINGS NET SEVEN GOALS, WITHSTAND BLUES RALLY
Adrian Kempe (2-0—2) scored two of his team’s seven goals – five of which came in the first period alone – while Drew Doughty netted the winning tally to help the Kings withstand a Blues comeback attempt and extend their point streak to 12 games, establishing a franchise record. Los Angeles (43-20-10, 96 points) moved within two points of Pacific Division-leading Vegas (46-21-6, 98 points).
* Doughty recorded his 30th career game-winning goal, surpassing Rob Blake for the most in Kings history by a defenseman and for sole possession of seventh place on the franchise’s all-time list among all skaters. In the process, Doughty (33 years, 108 days) also became the oldest blueliner to record a three-game goal streak with Los Angeles, surpassing Jaroslav Modry (31 years, 251 days; 4 GP in 2002-03).
MARNER HELPS MAPLE LEAFS TO VICTORY IN MILESTONE GAME
While skating in his 500th career game, Mitchell Marner (0-1—1) factored on one of his team’s three goals to extend his point streak to 10 contests as Toronto defeated Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. With 166-383—549, Marner has the most assists and points by a Maple Leafs player through as many contests with the franchise.
KELLER EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO 12 GAMES IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Clayton Keller reached the 80-point mark and extended his point streak to 12 games in Sunday’s edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates. Keller (36-44—80 in 74 GP) became the fourth Coyotes/Jets player in the past 30 years to reach the 80-point mark, joining Keith Tkachuk (3x; 1996-97, 1995-96 & 1993-94), Teemu Selanne (1992-93) and Phil Housley (1992-93).
QUICK CLICKS
* Connor McDavid focused on Oilers playoff push, not pursuit of 70 goals
* Flyers Charities Carnival returns after three-year absence due to pandemic
* Blake Lizotte suspended one game for actions in Kings game
* Oilers prospect Ryan Fanti scores goalie goal for ECHL’s Komets
* Zizing ‘Em Up: Jack Eichel ready for 1st trip to Stanley Cup Playoffs
POTENTIAL FIRST-ROUND MATCHUP TAKES TO HULU, ESPN+, TVAS
The countdown is on – the NHL enters the final three weeks of the 2022-23 regular season Monday. A total of 12 teams are in action, including the Kraken (40-24-8, 88 points) who visit the Wild (42-22-9, 93 points) on Hulu, ESPN+ and TVAS in what would be a first-round matchup if the playoffs were to start today.
* When Minnesota overtook first place in the Central Division at the conclusion of play on Saturday, it marked the first time the team sat atop their division since Dec. 28, 2021. The Wild have totaled 19 points in March (8-1-3), which trails only Vegas (22 points), Vancouver (20 points), Boston (20 points) and Los Angeles (20 points) for the most.
* Seattle, which sits in the first Wild Card position, is coming off its fifth seven-goal outing of 2022-23 – the Kraken’s 253 goals for this season trails only the Oilers (286), Bruins (272), Sabres (257) and Devils (254) for the most among all teams. Vince Dunn (13-47—60 in 72 GP) leads the charge for the Kraken, making Seattle one of three clubs to have a blueliner pace the team in points in 2022-23 (also SJS: Erik Karlsson & NSH: Roman Josi).
IDLE MAPLE LEAFS, RANGERS CAN CLINCH MONDAY
The idle Maple Leafs (44-20-9, 97 points) and Rangers (43-20-10, 96 points) can both clinch a postseason berth based on Monday’s results. Toronto will secure its spot if Florida loses to Ottawa in any fashion, while New York can clinch if Buffalo falls to Montreal in any fashion AND the Panthers lose to the Senators in regulation.
