Around the League notebook: Sunday, Jan. 24

CRAWFORD EARNS NHL-LEADING SEVENTH SHUTOUT
Corey Crawford made 25 saves to earn his League-leading seventh shutout of the season and backstop the Chicago Blackhawks to a 2-0 win against the St. Louis Blues, their seventh straight win at United Center. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, the Blackhawks' seven-game home winning streak is their longest such run since Nov. 9 - Dec. 21, 2014 (8-0-0).
* At 33-15-4 (70 points), the Blackhawks increased their lead over the idle Dallas Stars (30-14-5, 65 points) to five points for first place in the Central Division. The Blackhawks also climbed within three points of the idle Washington Capitals (35-8-3, 73 points) for the top record in the NHL.

* The Blackhawks improved to 21-5-1 in 27 games at United Center and lead the NHL in home wins (21) and points (43).
* Crawford, who had seven shutouts over the past four seasons (203 GP), has earned wins in 10 of his past 11 games and improved to 28-11-2 this season (2.08 goals-against average, .932 save percentage, seven shutouts). His 28 wins rank second in the NHL behind Braden Holtby (30).
* Per Elias, Crawford became the first Blackhawks goaltender to pick up seven shutouts in a season since Antti Niemi posted an equal total in 2009-10.
* Crawford has won six consecutive home decisions dating to Jan. 3. Per Elias, he matched his career-high home winning streak from Feb. 20 - March 23, 2011 (6-0-0).
LECAVALIER, GABORIK SPEARHEAD KINGS' RALLY OVER SHARKS
Vincent Lecavalier tied the game with 12.2 seconds remaining in regulation and Marian Gaborik scored with 53.8 seconds left in overtime as the Los Angeles Kings rallied for a 3-2 win against the San Jose Sharks and improved to 6-2-0 in their past eight road games.
* At 30-15-3 (63 points), the Kings increased their lead over the Sharks (25-18-4, 54 points) to nine points for first place in the Pacific Division.
* Gaborik scored his second overtime goal of the season (also Nov. 28, 2015 vs. CHI) and the 11th such goal of his NHL career. Gaborik tied Shane Doan for sixth on the NHL's all-time regular-season overtime goals list among active players:
Most Regular-Season Overtime Goals, Active Players
19 - Jaromir Jagr
16 - Alex Ovechkin
16 - Patrik Elias
14 - Daniel Sedin
12 - Marian Hossa
11 - Marian Gaborik
11 - Shane Doan
* Lecavalier has scored four times since making his debut with the Kings on Jan. 7 (4-1-5 in 9 GP). Prior to this run, he had 0-1-1 in seven games with the Philadelphia Flyers.
ANDERSON, SENATORS BLANK RANGERS
Craig Anderson made 35 saves to backstop the Ottawa Senators to a 3-0 win against the New York Rangers, their seventh victory in their past 10 games at Canadian Tire Centre (7-3-0).
* At 23-20-6 (52 points), the Senators moved within three points of the idle New Jersey Devils (25-19-5, 55 points) for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.
* Anderson registered his third shutout of the season and improved to 20-14-4 (2.80 GAA, .916 save percentage, three shutouts).
* Per Elias, Anderson (Park Ridge, IL) recorded his 32nd career shutout and ranks third among active U.S.-born goaltenders in career shutouts behind Jonathan Quick (40) and Ryan Miller (36).
* Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored his NHL-leading fifth shorthanded goal of the season (49 GP). With 11 goals overall, Pageau eclipsed his single-season career high of 10 from 2014-15 (50 GP).
* Per Elias, Pageau is the first member of the Senators to score five or more shorthanded goals in a season since Daniel Alfredsson scored a franchise-record seven in 2007-08 (70 GP).
* The Senators lead the NHL with 10 shorthanded goals this season:
Most Shorthanded Goals, 2015-16
10 - Ottawa Senators
8 - Montreal Canadiens
7 - Dallas Stars
7 - Winnipeg Jets
6 - Boston Bruins
6 - Colorado Avalanche
* ICYMI: Bobby Ryan scored to fulfill a special wish of two young fans.
QUICK STRIKES POWER HURRICANES OVER FLAMES
The Carolina Hurricanes scored consecutive goals in a span 32 seconds to pull away and defeat the Calgary Flames 5-2, improving to 5-1-2 in their past eight games at PNC Arena.
* At 22-20-8 (52 points), the Hurricanes climbed within three points of the idle Devils (25-19-5, 55 points) for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
* Kris Versteeg (2-0-2) had his first multigoal game of the season (49 GP). His previous such performance was Jan. 21, 2012 at WPG (2-1-3 w/ FLA).
* Elias Lindholm converted on his first career penalty shot attempt (189 GP). Per the Elias Sports Bureau, at 21 years, 53 days old, Lindholm became the youngest player in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history to score a penalty shot goal:
Youngest Players to Score a Penalty Shot Goal, Hurricanes/Whalers History
Elias Lindholm (21 years, 53 days) on Jan. 24, 2016 vs. CGY
Jeff Skinner (21 years, 295 days) on March 7, 2014 vs. NYR
Ron Francis (22 years, 323 days) on Jan. 17, 1986 vs. QUE (w/ HFD)
Eric Staal (22 years, 362 days) on Oct. 26, 2007 vs. MTL
MILESTONES & BENCHMARKS
* Sharks forward Joe Thornton (0-1-1) moved within two points of becoming the 33rd player in NHL history to reach the 1,300-point milestone (367-931-1,298 in 1,332 GP). Thornton has at least one point in 17 of his past 18 games (5-18-23), including 2-10-12 in an active nine-game point streak. He leads the Sharks with 30 assists this season (47 GP).
* Thornton appeared in his 800th game with the Sharks, becoming the second player in franchise history to reach the milestone (Patrick Marleau: 1,376 GP).
* Thornton, the No. 1 pick in the 1997 NHL Draft, appeared in 532 regular-season games with the Boston Bruins to begin his NHL career. Per Elias, Thornton became the 19th player in NHL history to appear in 800 or more regular-season games with a team other than the one that he began his NHL career with.
* Blues captain David Backes (700) and Rangers forward Derek Stepan (400) each skated in milestone games. Backes became the fifth player in franchise history to appear in 700 career games with the Blues, joining Bernie Federko (927), Barret Jackman (803), Brian Sutter (779) and Brett Hull (744).
LOOSE PUCKS
Senators forward Mike Hoffman (1-1-2) had his 10th multipoint game of the season and leads the team with 22 goals (45 GP). … Hurricanes forward Victor Rask opened the scoring with his 12th goal of the season (48 GP), eclipsing his single-season career high of 11 from 2014-15 (80 GP). … Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack (33 saves) improved to 8-9-3 (2.81 GAA, .899 save percentage, one shutout) and 4-1-0 in five career regular-season appearances vs. CGY. … The Hurricanes/Whalers improved to 7-2-2 in their past 11 home games vs. CGY dating to March 5, 1997 (CGY: 2-6-3). … Flames forward Joe Colborne (1-1-2) had his second multipoint game of the season (39 GP). … Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin scored his fourth game-winning goal of the season (52 GP) and leads all rookies in goals (17) and points (46). … Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (0-1-1) continues to lead the NHL in assists (43) and points (73) this season (52 GP). … The Blackhawks are 12-1-3 in their past 16 regular-season home games vs. STL dating to April 7, 2010 (STL: 4-8-4). … Kings goaltender Jhonas Enroth (30 saves) improved to 4-3-1 this season (2.15 GAA, .931 save percentage, one shutout). … By virtue of an overtime loss, the Sharks stretched their point streak to nine games (7-0-2). Per Elias, the streak is their longest such run since Oct. 3-21, 2013 (8-0-1). … Sharks rookie Joonas Donskoi (0-1-1) stretched his point streak to a season-high five games (1-5-6). … Kings forward Milan Lucic was suspended for one game, without pay, for roughing Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton. … The Sharks honored former goaltender Arturs Irbe in a pregame ceremony at SAP Center. … Oilers center Connor McDavid, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NHL Draft, has been cleared for full contact. McDavid will practice with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League during the NHL All-Star break. … The Oilers became the first NHL team to use Pride Tape, a multicolored tape to promote inclusiveness in sports. The club used the tape during their annual Skills Competition at Rexall Place.