LIGHTNING (52-13-4) at MAPLE LEAFS (42-21-5) 7 p.m. ET; TVAS, SNO, SUN, NHL.TV
The Montreal Canadiens accomplished the feat three times (67 games in 1976-77, 69 games in 1975-76 and 69 games in 1977-78); the Boston Bruins did it twice (69 games in 1970-71 and 70 games in 1971-72); and the Detroit Red Wings did it in 69 games in 1995-96. Those teams had ties and did not have the opportunity for an extra point in overtime or in the shootout. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy will start for the Lightning, who are 3-1-0 in their past four games and lead the Bruins by 15 points for first place in the Atlantic Division. Goalie Frederik Andersen will start for the Maple Leafs, who are 6-1-1 in their past eight games after a three-game losing streak and trail the Bruins by four points for second in the division.
Players to watch
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is 11-1-2 with a 1.60 goals-against average, a .949 save percentage and three shutouts in his past 14 starts Maple Leafs center John Tavares has eight points (two goals, six assists) during a four-game point streak. He needs two goals to become the third player in team history to score 40 goals in his first season with Toronto, joining Eddie Olczyk (42, 1987-88) and Auston Matthews (40, 2016-17)
They said it
"They're always tough games. They're a good team to play against; they're a top team in the League. They have so much skill, offensively and defensively. It's always nice to play against them and see where we are. It's a good challenge for us." -- Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov "When we get some offensive zone time, once they do get the puck back, they don't feel like coming into our end thinking offense. They're just more worried about getting a chance and that's when you can start grinding them down a bit."-- Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen on Toronto's previous two games against the Lightning
Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Stralman and Girardi will not play and may not be available against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. … Hyman missed the morning skate but is expected to play. If he cannot, Ennis will play.
Stat pack
Kucherov has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in his past eight games and leads the NHL with 110 points (33 goals, 77 assists) in 69 games. … Rielly has four points (three goals, one assist) during a four-game point streak. … Matthews has one assist in his past five games after 12 points (six goals, six assists) in his prior eight.
