NHL Daily Power Play Recap 1/20/16: Kings beat Dallas, 3-2

For the latest NHL news, check out The DSH's Daily Power Play Recap below:

KINGS DEFEAT DALLAS

Milan Lucic scored the tiebreaking goal at 6:17 of the final frame – off a feed from Anze Kopitar (0-2—2) – to lift the Kings to their ninth victory in their last 12 contests (9-2-1). Both Lucic (1-5—6) and Kopitar (3-7—10) extended their point streaks to five games.

Jonathan Quick added 27 saves to improve to 9-1-1 in his last 11 appearances and 17-7-2 in 26 career games vs. DAL.

Jake Muzzin (0-1—1) extended his point streak to a career-high eight games (1-7—8), the longest such run by a Kings defenseman since Dec. 10-28, 2005 (Lubomir Visnovsky: 1-11—12 in 9 GP).

Stars defenseman Esa Lindell, a third-round selection (74th overall) in the 2012 NHL Draft, made his League debut.

KANE, CRAWFORD POWER BLACKHAWKS TO 12TH STRAIGHT WIN

Patrick Kane posted 1-1—2 and Corey Crawford made 38 saves to lead the Blackhawks to their 12th consecutive victory, a first in the franchise’s 89-year history.

Kane, who registered his third consecutive multi-point game (5-3—8), scored his League-leading 30th goal of the season (49 GP) to equal a career high established in 2009-10 (82 GP). Elias says that Kane became the fourth different Blackhawk to be the first NHL player to reach the 30-goal milestone in one season, and the first to accomplish that feat since Bobby Hull in 1968-69 (7x overall).

“It’s been good, nice to reach that number,” said Kane, who also paces the League in assists (41) and points (71). “I think I was close the past couple years and got hurt, so it was nice to reach that, but more importantly I think getting the franchise record of wins in a row, it’s pretty special and something that we can all be proud about. It’s fun to win 12 in a row. I think it’s fun when you’re winning games, and you want to keep building on it.”

At 32-13-4 (68 points), the Blackhawks moved five points ahead of the Stars (29-13-5, 63 points) – who lost in regulation – for first place in the Central Division and Western Conference. They were 13 points out of first place when the winning streak began on Dec. 29.

The Blackhawks became the 14th team in NHL history to record a winning streak of 12 or more games in a single season and the second to do so in 2015-16. The other: the Panthers, who reeled off a franchise-record 12 straight victories from Dec. 15 – Jan. 10.

Crawford, who made 16 of his saves in the third period, extended his personal winning streak to a career-high nine games (1.89 GAA, .946 SV%, 1 SO). He ranks second in the NHL with 27 victories this season and leads the League with 1,101 saves and six shutouts.

KUZNETSOV’S FOUR ASSISTS HELP CAPITALS CONTINUE TORRID PACE

Two days after posting three assists in a 5-2 victory vs. NYR, Evgeny Kuznetsov dished out a career-high four helpers to propel the Capitals to their seventh win in their last eight games as well as a 25-4-3 record since Nov. 12.

At 35-8-3 (73 points), the League-leading Capitals continued their best start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 41-year history. That includes 17 wins and 36 points in 24 road games (17-5-2), both tops in the NHL.

Kuznetsov, who had 14-32—46 in 97 career games prior to 2015-16, ranks fourth in the NHL with 15-33—48 in 46 outings this season. That includes 2-9—11 in his last five contests.

Braden Holtby (32 SV) earned his League-leading 30th victory of the season (30-5-2 in 38 GP), sparked by a 22-1-2 record in his past 25 decisions. Per Elias, Holtby became the first goaltender to win 30 of his first 38 games in one season since 1995-96, when Chris Osgood did so with the Red Wings (30-5-3).

Five other Capitals registered multiple points, including Alex Ovechkin (1-1—2), who scored his 11th goal in his past 12 games and 28th of the season – second in the NHL behind Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane (30).

NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING RELEASES MID-SEASON RANKINGS

NHL Central Scouting released its mid-season rankings for the 2016 NHL Draft. The rankings feature the top 210 skaters and 30 goaltenders in North America as well as the top 134 skaters and 15 goaltenders from Europe.

Forward Auston Matthews (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who plays for Zurich in Switzerland’s National League, leads the top draft-eligible skaters from Europe. Forward Matthew Tkachuk (St. Louis, Mo.), who plays for the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, sits atop the North American rankings.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

NEW JERSEY 4, Calgary 2
NY RANGERS 3, Vancouver 2 (OT)
Toronto 3, PHILADELPHIA 2
Washington 6, COLUMBUS 3
Boston 4, MONTREAL 1
TAMPA BAY 6, Edmonton 4
Chicago 4, NASHVILLE 1
LOS ANGELES 3, Dallas 2

WEDNESDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Two teams battling for playoff spots in the Western Conference meet when the Wild (22-15-8, 52 points) play the Ducks (19-18-7, 45 points) at Honda Center. Minnesota currently occupies the first Wild Card spot in the conference, with a three-point cushion over Colorado (23-21-3, 49 points). Anaheim sits four points back of a playoff spot both in the Pacific Division and Wild Card race.

St. Louis @ Detroit, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, SN, TVAS
Buffalo @ Colorado, 10:00 p.m., MSG-B, BELL TV, ALT
Minnesota @ Anaheim, 10:30 p.m., NBCSN, SN

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services