NHL Daily Recap 2/29/16: Ducks defeat Kings, 4-2

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

PERRY LIFTS DUCKS TO 8TH CONSECUTIVE VICTORY

Corey Perry (3-1—4) factored on all four of his team’s goals, including scoring the game-winner at 1:27 of the third period, to guide the Ducks to their eighth consecutive win and a 15-1-1 record in their last 17 games. Anaheim’s eight-game winning streak is two shy of the franchise record from Dec. 6-28, 2013 (10-0-0).

At 34-19-8 (76 points), the Ducks maintained a four-point edge over the Sharks (33-22-6, 72 points) – who also won on Sunday – for second place in the Pacific Division. They also climbed within two points of the Kings (37-21-4, 78 points) for first.

Ryan Getzlaf (0-1—1) extended his point streak to 11 games (5-12—17), the longest by a Ducks player since his own 14-game streak from Nov. 5 – Dec. 15, 2014 (10-13—23). He paces the team in assists (42) and points (51) this season.

The Ducks concluded the month of February with a 12-1-1 record, the most victories (12) and standings points (25) earned in one calendar month in franchise history.  The Ducks improved to 10-1-1 in their last 12 regular-season games vs. LAK dating to Jan. 23, 2014 (LAK: 2-6-4).

Perry registered the ninth hat trick of his NHL career and first since Jan. 14, 2015 vs. TOR (3-0—3). In addition to his fifth multi-goal game of the season, Perry added an assist to record his first four-point outing of the campaign. He leads the club with 26 goals.

Per Elias, Perry surpassed Paul Kariya (8) for the second-most regular-season hat tricks in franchise history:

13 – Teemu Selanne
9 – Corey Perry
8 – Paul Kariya

KINGS ACQUIRE VERSTEEG IN TRADE

 The Los Angeles Kings have acquired forward Kris Versteeg from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward Valentin Zykov and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2016, Kings General Manager Dean Lombardi announced.  The Kings are hoping Versteeg can provide the team with an offensive boost off the bench.

Versteeg, 29, has played in 63 games with the Hurricanes this year, recording 33 points (11-22=33) and 36 penalty minutes.

The 5-11, 176-pound Versteeg has played for the Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and Toronto Maple Leafs during his nine-year NHL career, including winning two Stanley Cups (2010 and 2015 with Chicago).

In 535 career regular-season games he has 308 points (127-181=308), a plus-16 rating and 311 penalty minutes. Drafted in the fifth-round (134th overall) by the Boston Bruins during the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, the two-time Stanley Cup champion has appeared in 84 playoff games overall. He has posted 42 points (16-26=42) and 66 penalty minutes during that time.

Zykov, 20, appeared in 43 games this season with the Ontario Reign (AHL), posting 14 points (7-7=14), a plus-7 rating and 20 penalty minutes. He was drafted by the Kings in the second-round (37th overall) in the 2013 NHL Draft.

CALLAHAN LEADS LIGHTNING TO 6TH STRAIGHT WIN

Ryan Callahan (2-1—3) factored on three of his club’s four goals, including scoring the game-winner at 14:39 of the first period, to lead the Lightning to their sixth consecutive victory.

At 36-22-4 (76 points), the Lightning moved two points ahead of the Bruins (34-23-6, 74 points) for second place in the Atlantic Division. They also climbed within two points of the Panthers (35-19-8, 78 points) – who lost in regulation on Sunday – for first.

Steven Stamkos (1-1—2) converted on a penalty shot to extend his goal streak to six games (6-3—9), one shy of his career high from Feb. 13 – March 11, 2010 (9-5—14 in 7 GP). Stamkos added an assist to register his 14th multi-point game of the season and leads the team in goals (28) and points (51).

With 245 career assists (all w/ TBL), Stamkos also passed Vaclav Prospal (244) for sole possession of fourth in franchise history.

Ben Bishop (32 saves) picked up his fourth straight win and improved to 26-17-3 overall (2.06 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO).

BLACKHAWKS DEFEAT LEAGUE-LEADING CAPITALS

Corey Crawford made 28 saves and Dennis Rasmussen scored his first career game-winning goal with 7:13 left in regulation to defeat the NHL-leading Capitals.

At 39-20-5 (83 points), the Blackhawks leapfrogged the idle Stars (38-19-6, 82 points) to claim sole possession of first place in the Central Division.

Crawford improved to 33-16-3 (2.25 GAA, .928 SV%, 7 SO), equaling his career high for wins in a season from 2010-11 (33-18-6). His 33 victories rank second in the NHL, behind only Braden Holtby (39).

Patrick Kane (1-0—1) has registered at least one point in six of his last seven outings (4-5—9) and continues to pace the NHL with 36-49—85 this season. With 85 points (64 GP), Kane also climbed within three of his career high from 2009-10 (30-58—88 in 82 GP).

Andrew Ladd registered an assist in his first game since being re-acquired by the Blackhawks. Ladd collected 37-62—99 in 184 regular-season games w/ CHI from 2008 to 2010.

JONES, SHARKS REMAIN HOT ON THE ROAD

The Sharks scored four third period goals to defeat the Canucks 4-1 and earn a 6-2-2 record in their last 10 games. At 33-22-6 (72 points), the Sharks remained four points back of the Ducks (34-19-8, 76 points) for second in the Pacific Division.

The Sharks improved to 22-9-3 (47 points) in 34 road games -- they lead the NHL in road wins (22) and road points (47) this season.

Martin Jones turned aside 23 of 24 shots and improved to 6-2-1 in his last nine outings and 30-17-4 overall (2.33 GAA, .917 SV%, 5 SO). He reached the 30-win mark for this first time in his three NHL seasons.

Jones also improved to 20-6-3 on the road (2.26 GAA, .922 SV%, 3 SO). He leads the NHL with 20 road victories this season.

SUNDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

CHICAGO 3, Washington 2
St. Louis 5, CAROLINA 2
MINNESOTA 3, Florida 1
Tampa Bay 4, BOSTON 1
San Jose 4, VANCOUVER 1
ANAHEIM 4, Los Angeles 2
EDMONTON 3, NY Islanders 1

MONDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Columbus @ NY Rangers, 7:00 p.m., NHLN-US, SNE, SNO, FS-O, MSG
Calgary @ Philadelphia, 7:00 p.m., SNW, CSN-PH
Arizona @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 p.m., FS-A, ROOT
Tampa Bay @ Toronto, 7:30 p.m., TCAS, SUN, TSN4
Detroit @ Dallas, 8:30 p.m., SNP, FS-D, FS-SW
Montreal @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m., RDS, SNE, CSN-CA

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services