Auston Matthews of Maple Leafs sets rookie records

MATTHEWS SETS ROOKIE RECORDS AS MAPLE LEAFS CLIMB STANDINGS

* Matthews has goals in five consecutive games and has at least one point in nine straight (8-4-12). Matthews became the third Maple Leafs rookie to score in five or more consecutive team games, joining Alf Skinner from Jan. 28 - Feb. 13, 1918 (6 GP) and Gaye Stewart from Nov. 12-21, 1942 (5 GP), according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

MONDAY'S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
Toronto 4, BUFFALO 2
DETROIT 5, Ottawa 4 (SO)
Montreal 4, FLORIDA 1

CANADIENS CLINCH FIRST PLACE IN ATLANTIC DIVISION

Artturi Lehkonen (2-1-3) tied NHL single-game career highs for goals and points to help the Montreal Canadiens (46-24-9, 101 points) clinch first place in the Atlantic Division, their third division title in the past five seasons.
* Montreal has won five consecutive games while outscoring opponents 19-6 during the streak and eclipsed the 100-point mark for the third time in the last four seasons.
* Charlie Lindgren made 31 saves in his first game of the season and second of his NHL career. Lindgren is 2-0-0 with a 1.50 goals-against average and .950 save percentage in his NHL career.
* Max Pacioretty had an assist to extend his point streak to five games (2-5-7).

DID YOU KNOW?

William Nylander (22-38-60) and Mitchell Marner (18-42-60) each had assists to become the second and third Maple Leafs rookies to reach the 60-point mark this season, joining Matthews. Elias notes that the 1980-81 Quebec Nordiques are the only other NHL team with three rookies with at least 60 points (Peter Stastny: 39-70-109, Anton Stastny: 39-46-85, Dale Hunter: 19-44-63).

LOOSE PUCKS

Evgeny Svechnikov scored the decisive goal in the shootout while making his NHL debut to guide the Detroit Red Wings to victory. … The Maple Leafs scored

early in the first period. … Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Marchessault scored his 30th goal of the season in his 72nd game. Prior to 2016-17, Marchessault had eight goals in his first 49 NHL games. … Ottawa Senators captain Erik Karlsson (1-1-2) reached the 70-point mark for the fourth time in his NHL career (16-54-70). … Panthers defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, Buffalo Sabres forward Alexander Nylander and Senators forward Colin White made their NHL debuts. … The NHL announced it will not participate in the
2018 Olympic Winter Games
. … New Jersey Devils defenseman Dalton Prout was
suspended for two games
by the NHL Department of Player Safety for interference against Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas. … Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin, Washington Capitals left wing Marcus Johansson and Edmonton Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot were named the
NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending April 2
. … Renowned Canadian artist Tony Harris released portraits of Pat LaFontaine and Marcel Dionne as part of the
NHL Centennial Celebration
.

SNEAK PEEK AT TUESDAY'S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Tampa Bay @ Boston, 7 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, NBCSN, NESN, NHL.TV
Philadelphia @ New Jersey, 7 p.m., MSG+, CSN-PH, NHL.TV
Columbus @ Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., ROOT, FS-O, NHL.TV
Washington @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., TSN4, CSN-DC, NHL.TV
Detroit @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., TSN5, RDS, FS-D, NHL.TV
Winnipeg @ St. Louis, 8 p.m., FS-MW+, TSN3, NHL.TV
NY Islanders @ Nashville, 8 p.m., FS-TN, MSG+ 2, NHL.TV
Carolina @ Minnesota, 8 p.m., FS-N, FS-CR, NHL.TV
Arizona @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., FS-SW+, FS-A PLUS, NHL.TV
Chicago @ Colorado, 9 p.m., ALT, WGN, NHL.TV
Calgary @ Anaheim, 10 p.m., SN1, PRIME, NHL.TV
Edmonton @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN, SNW, NHL.TV
Vancouver @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., NBCS CA+, SNP, NHL.TV

LIGHTNING-BRUINS, OILERS-KINGS FEATURED ON NBCSN DOUBLEHEADER

The 13-game slate Tuesday features two games on NBCSN as part of the network's
"Push For The Playoffs"
coverage throughout the final week of the season:
* In the first game, the Bruins (43-30-6, 92 points) host the Tampa Bay Lightning (39-29-10, 88 points) at TD Garden. The Bruins have the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference and have wins in their past five games, while the Lightning, who have points in their past six games (5-0-1), look to gain ground on the Bruins for the final playoff spot in the East.
* In the second game, the Edmonton Oilers (44-25-9, 97 points) play the Los Angeles Kings (37-34-7, 81 points) at Staples Center. The Oilers, led by NHL points leader Connor McDavid (29-65-94 in 78 GP), are second in the Pacific Division and have won five straight games.

EASTERN CONFERENCE CLUBS LOOK TO SECURE VALUABLE WINS

Four other Eastern Conference teams in the hunt for postseason berths are in action Tuesday:
* The Maple Leafs (39-24-15, 93 points) host the League-leading Capitals (52-18-8, 112 points) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs have won four consecutive games and are second in the Atlantic Division.
* The Senators (41-27-10, 92 points) conclude their back-to-back, home-and-home set with the Red Wings (32-35-12, 76 points) at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa. The Senators are third in the Atlantic Division, one point behind the Maple Leafs.
* The New York Islanders (37-29-12, 86 points) play the Nashville Predators (40-28-11, 91 points) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Islanders are six points behind the Bruins for the second wild card from the East.
* The Carolina Hurricanes (35-29-14, 84 points) play the Minnesota Wild (46-25-8, 100 points) at Xcel Energy Center. The Hurricanes are eight points behind the Bruins for the second wild card from the East.

DUCKS AIM FOR 25TH CONSECUTIVE HOME VICTORY AGAINST FLAMES

The Pacific Division-leading Anaheim Ducks (43-23-13, 99 points) aim to extend their point streak to 12 games (8-0-3) and eclipse the 100-point mark for the fourth straight season when they host the Calgary Flames (44-31-4, 92 points) at Honda Center in Anaheim. The Ducks have won 24 consecutive regular-season home games against the Flames, dating to April 4, 2004 (CGY: 0-19-5), the longest such run against one opponent in NHL history.