NHL Daily Power Play Recap 1/14/16: Ducks beat Ottawa, 4-1

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DUCKS DEFEAT OTTAWA

The Ducks scored three unanswered goals in the final five minutes of regulation – including the tiebreaker by Shea Theodore (his first NHL goal) – to pick up points for the eighth time in their last 10 games (6-2-2). At 18-17-7 (43 points), Anaheim moved within one point of San Jose (21-18-2, 44 points) for third place in the Pacific Division and within two points of Nashville (19-17-7, 45 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Ducks forward Chris Stewart (500) played in a milestone game.

BENNETT’S FOUR GOALS LIFT FLAMES OVER PANTHERS

Sam Bennett scored four goals, including his first career hat trick (at the 17:01 mark of the first period), to power the Flames to their third win in their last five contests and snap the Panthers’ franchise-record point streak at 13 games (12-0-1).

“It’s a great feeling,” Bennett said. “I think it’s big for my confidence. I knew I felt confident playing in this league and now I think I took another step in the right direction. It’ll just keep building on my confidence.”

At 20-20-2 (42 points), the Flames moved within two points of the idle Sharks (21-18-2, 44 points) for third place in the Pacific Division. They also climbed within three points of the idle Predators (19-17-7, 45 points) for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

Bennett, the fourth overall selection in the 2014 NHL Draft, registered his first career multi-goal game (42 GP). He has scored five times in his past two outings (5-0—5), equaling his goal total from his first 40 NHL appearances (5-10—15).

A statistical look at Sam Bennett’s four-goal performance, courtesy of the Elias Sports Bureau:

• At 19 years, 207 days, Bennett became the third-youngest player in NHL history to record a four-goal game. The only younger players to do so: Maple Leafs forward Jack Hamilton (18 years, 185 days; Dec. 4, 1943 vs. NYR) and Capitals forward Bobby Carpenter (18 years, 227 days; Feb. 25, 1982 vs. STL).

• Bennett also became the third-youngest player in NHL history to post a first-period hat trick. The only younger players to do so: Maple Leafs forward Ted ‘Teeder’ Kennedy (19 years, 28 days; Jan. 9, 1945 vs. NYR) and Sabres forward John Tucker (19 years, 185 days; April 1, 1984 vs. TOR).

• Bennett became the first Flames player to register a four-goal game since Jarome Iginla did so on Feb. 23, 2003 at PHX. He also became the third rookie in franchise history to notch a four-goal game. The others: Joe Nieuwendyk (2x; Nov. 19, 1987 vs. QUE and Dec. 13, 1987 at BUF) and Jiri Hrdina (Nov. 7, 1988 vs. HFD).

• Bennett became the first rookie to post a four-goal game for any team since Sharks forward Tomas Hertl did so on Oct. 8, 2013 vs. NYR.

• Bennett became the youngest player in Flames history to collect a hat trick. Jim Peplinski previously held that record, doing so at 21 years, 24 days on Nov. 17, 1981 vs. WPG.

• Bennett became the first player from any team to score three goals in the first period of a game since Lightning forward Martin St. Louis did so on Jan. 18, 2014 vs. SJS. Only three other players have accomplished that feat for the Flames: Paul Reinhart (Nov. 24, 1986 vs. EDM), Brian MacLellan (Jan. 14, 1990 at CHI) and Nieuwendyk (Dec. 14, 1993 vs. VAN).

BLACKHAWKS AIM FOR 9TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

The Blackhawks (28-13-4, 60 points), who have won a season-high eight consecutive games to climb within two points of first place in the Central Division, look to continue that run when they visit the Canadiens (23-17-3, 49 points) at Bell Centre. This marks the first of two meetings in four days between these Original Six rivals; they also will face off on Sunday at United Center. Chicago has collected at least one point in seven consecutive head-to-head matchups dating to Oct. 30, 2009 (5-0-2), including three straight wins.

BATTLE OF NY HEATS UP IN TIGHT DIVISION RACE

Crucial points are on the line when the Rangers (23-14-5, 51 points) play the Islanders (23-15-5, 51 points) at Barclays Center in the second of four meetings this season. These clubs are tied – in terms of points – for second place in the Metropolitan Division, but the Rangers have played one fewer game and own the ROW tiebreaker (NYR: 22, NYI: 20). The Islanders claimed their first matchup of the season – and first meeting ever in Brooklyn – with a 2-1 shootout victory on Dec. 2 at Barclays Center.

McLELLAN MAKES FIRST TRIP BACK TO SAN JOSE

Edmonton head coach Todd McLellan returns to San Jose for the first time when the Oilers (17-23-4, 38 points) visit the Sharks (21-18-2, 44 points) at SAP Center. McLellan spent the past seven seasons in San Jose, where he compiled a 311-163-66 record and led the Sharks to six playoff appearances, four 40-plus win seasons, three division titles and one Presidents’ Trophy (2008-09). The Oilers picked up a 4-3 victory in the first meeting between these teams this season, on Dec. 9 at Rexall Place, courtesy of an overtime goal by Taylor Hall.

WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

Columbus 3, TORONTO 1
PHILADELPHIA 3, Boston 2
CALGARY 6, Florida 0
ANAHEIM 4, Ottawa 1

THURSDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

NY Rangers @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., TVAS, MSG, MSG+
Vancouver @ Washington, 7:00 p.m., SN360, CSN-DC
Chicago @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, CSN-CH, SNE, RDS
Carolina @ St. Louis, 8:00 p.m., FS-SE, FS-MW
Nashville @ Winnipeg, 8:00 p.m., FS-TN, TSN3
New Jersey @ Colorado, 9:00 p.m., MSG+ 2, ALT
Detroit @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m., FS-D+, FS-A
Edmonton @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., SNW, CSN-CA

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services