Three stars
1. Aleksander Barkov, Florida Panthers
Barkov had a heck of a night, producing five assists and getting in on five of the Panthers’ six goals in the game.
You can read more about that here.
And here’s one of Barkov’s apples:
2. Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals
Holtby just wins these days, and it’s certainly helping the Washington Capitals keep pace with the New York Islanders.
Washington’s No. 1 netminder recorded his third shutout of the season in a 25-save effort against the New Jersey Devils, his fifth straight win -- and Washington’s six straight triumph as they regained top spot in the hotly-contested Metropolitan Division.
With his third shutout of the season, Braden Holtby has tied Olie Kolzig (35) for the most shutouts in franchise history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 9, 2019
3. Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets
It was Ehlers streaking through the Carolina Hurricanes zone that found Kevin Hayes some space and set up the first goal for the Winnipeg Jets in a landslide 8-1.
Ehlers set the tone early in the game with his assist just 2:58 into the game. By the end of the period, Hayes returned the favor, finding Ehlers for his first goal of the game and 17th of the season. Ehlers would cap off his three-point night with an assist with 19 seconds remaining in the game.
The 23-year-old did this all in 12:25.
Highlights of the night
Kevin Hayes batted 1.000 on Friday:
Barkov’s record-setting assist:
Max Jones’ first NHL goal:
First NHL goal for @Jones_Max19 AND his first NHL celly.
— NHL (@NHL) March 9, 2019
Both. Are. Fire. #NHLFirsts pic.twitter.com/Fv3NTlUGJU
Connor:
Sometimes @KyleConnor18 just isn't fair.
— NHL (@NHL) March 9, 2019
This is for sure one of those times. pic.twitter.com/qz1imKMDcD
Factoids
#HockeyDB stat of the day:
— HockeyDB (@hockey_db) March 8, 2019
Zach Boychuk unfollowed 700,000 people on twitter today.
The @TBLightning have written another chapter in their incredible 2018-19 campaign. #StanleyCup
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 9, 2019
More #NHLStats: https://t.co/0wFB2AP6tw pic.twitter.com/qUpB983CW9
Carey Price allows 7 goals in a game for the 6th time in his career
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 9, 2019
#GoJetsGo are the first team to score 8+ goals 3 times in a single season since the Penguins & Bruins in 2011-12.
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 9, 2019
Scores
Panthers 6, Wild 2
Capitals 3, Devils 0
Jets 8, Hurricanes 1
Ducks 8, Canadiens 2
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck