NHL Daily Power Play Recap 2/3/16: Kings, Ducks pick up wins

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

KINGS BEAT ARIZONA, 6-2

Five players registered multiple points, led by a pair of goals from Dustin Brown, to lift the Kings to their fourth win in their past seven contests. At 31-16-3 (65 points), Los Angeles moved nine points ahead of San Jose (26-19-4, 56 points) – who lost in regulation – atop the Pacific Division.

Brown closed the season series with five goals in five games against the Coyotes.  Brown has scored twice in 45 other outings in 2015-16.

Dave Tippett (ARI) became the 24th head coach in NHL history to serve 1,000 games behind the bench (512-359-129).

DUCKS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT TO MOVE INTO PLAYOFF SPOT

Frederik Andersen made 30 saves, including 14 in the opening period, to backstop the Ducks to their fourth straight win and an 11-3-1 record in their past 15 games, as Anaheim defeated San Jose, 3-2.

At 23-18-7 (53 points), the Ducks leapfrogged the Coyotes (24-21-5, 53 points) – who lost in regulation – for third place in the Pacific Division. They also finished their season series with a 3-1-0 record against the Sharks (26-19-4, 56 points), who sit three points ahead of them for second place.

Andersen picked up his fourth consecutive personal victory to improve to 9-8-5 overall (2.37 GAA, .918 SV%). He has allowed two or fewer goals in 18 of his 25 appearances this season, including six straight.

The Sharks saw their point streak end at 10 games (8-0-2).

McDAVID DAZZLES IN RETURN, OILERS’ VICTORY

Connor McDavid recorded 1-2—3, including a highlight-reel goal that stood as the winner, to lift the Oilers to a victory in his return from a 37-game absence.

“It was a nice goal,” McDavid said. “It was three months of waiting around and a lot of grumpy days and all that. It definitely felt really good to get that one.”

McDavid, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft, paced all rookies with 5-7—12 in 13 contests prior to suffering his injury on Nov. 3. He now has 6-9—15 in 14 games, including a pair of three-point performances (also Oct. 17 at CGY: 2-1—3).

Elias notes that only two other rookies have registered multiple three-point games this season: Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin (5 in 54 GP) and Coyotes forward Anthony Duclair (2 in 49 GP).

CROSBY’S NATURAL HAT TRICK POWERS PENGUINS’ COMEBACK

The Senators raced to a 4-3 lead midway through the second period, but Sidney Crosby (3-1—4) scored three straight goals to power the Penguins to their fourth consecutive win overall as well as a 7-0-2 record in their past nine home games.

At 25-17-7 (57 points), the Penguins moved within one point of the Bruins (26-18-6, 58 points) – who lost in overtime – for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Crosby recorded his ninth career hat trick and first since Oct. 12, 2013 at TBL (3-1—4). Elias adds that he posted his second career natural hat trick, with the other Dec. 2, 2010 vs. ATL (3-0—3).

Crosby, who registered his first four-point performance since Jan. 2, 2015 vs. TBL (0-4—4), extended his point streak to eight games (8-6—14). He also has at least one point in 10 straight home games (12-7—19), including goals in a career-high eight consecutive outings at CONSOL Energy Center.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

Toronto 4, BOSTON 3 (OT)
NEW JERSEY 3, NY Rangers 2
NY ISLANDERS 5, Minnesota 3
PHILADELPHIA 4, Montreal 2
PITTSBURGH 6, Ottawa 5
Florida 5, WASHINGTON 2
St. Louis 1, NASHVILLE 0
Dallas 5, WINNIPEG 3
Chicago 2, COLORADO 1
EDMONTON 5, Columbus 1
Los Angeles 6, ARIZONA 2
ANAHEIM 3, San Jose 2

FLAMES WIDEMAN SUSPENDED 20 GAMES

Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman has been suspended for 20 games, without pay, for conduct violative of Rule 40 (Physical Abuse of Officials) during NHL Game No. 742 in Calgary on Wednesday, Jan. 27, the National Hockey League announced today.

The incident occurred at 11:19 of the second period.

Under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, Wideman will forfeit $564,516.20. The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

POINTS ON THE LINE DURING WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIVALRY

Crucial points are on the line when the Lightning (27-18-4, 58 points) and Red Wings (25-16-8, 58 points) face off at Amalie Arena on NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Rivalry. These clubs, who are tied – in terms of points – for second place in the Atlantic Division, have met twice already this season, with Detroit winning both contests (3-1 on Oct. 13 and 2-1 on Nov. 3, both at Joe Louis Arena).

Tampa Bay, however, won the seven-game series between the teams in the First Round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs en route to an appearance in the Final. The Lightning and Red Wings will drop the puck one more time during the regular season, on March 22 at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay has won eight of its last nine overall, while Detroit is 7-3-1 in its past 11.

WEDNESDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Buffalo @ Montreal, 7:00 p.m., SN, RDS, MSG-B
Detroit @ Tampa Bay, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, TVAS
Carolina @ Calgary, 9:30 p.m., SN1, FS-CR

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services