NHL Daily Recap: Kings and Ducks both lose

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

WILD EDGE KINGS 2-1, CLIMB AHEAD IN PLAYOFF CHASE

Devan Dubnyk made a season-high 38 saves to lead the Wild to their third consecutive win and back into the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Dubnyk improved to 8-1-1 with a 2.18 goals-against average and .922 save percentage in his last 11 appearances dating to Feb. 28. His eight victories in that span pace the NHL.

Ryan Suter (0-1—1) notched his 47th point of the campaign (8-39—47) to set a single-season franchise record for a defenseman, surpassing the mark established by Brent Burns in 2010-11 (17-29—46). Suter’s 39 assists also are the most by a defenseman in one season in Wild history.

Wild forward Erik Haula (1-0—1) extended his point streak to a career-high six games (3-3—6).

Kings forward Nic Dowd, a seventh-round selection (198th overall) in the 2009 NHL Draft, made his League debut.

DUCKS FALL TO MONTREAL, 4-3

Lucas Lessio scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period to power the Canadiens past the Ducks, who also had the chance to wrap up a postseason berth. Lessio recorded his first goal with Montreal (11 GP) as well as his first career game-winning goal (40 GP). Mike Brown (1-1—2) also picked up his first goal and points since joining the Canadiens (10 GP).

Ducks forward Corey Perry reached the 30-goal milestone for the third consecutive season and sixth time in his career.

STARS CLINCH PLAYOFF SPOT, CONTINUE DOMINANCE OF BLACKHAWKS

Three players – Vernon Fiddler (2-0—2), Colton Sceviour (1-1—2) and Jamie Benn (0-2—2) – registered multiple points to help the Stars clinch their second playoff berth in the past three seasons.

The Stars closed their season series with a 4-1-0 record against the Blackhawks (CHI: 1-4-0), including wins in both of their visits to United Center (also Feb. 11: 4-2 W).

Fiddler posted his ninth career multi-goal game and second of the season (also Dec. 21 at MIN: 2-0—2). He has 12 goals overall (74 GP), one shy of his career high established in 2014-15 (80 GP).

Benn continues to rank second in the NHL with 36-46—82 this season (74 GP), five points shy of his career high set in 2014-15 en route to winning the Art Ross Trophy (35-52—87 in 82 GP).

CAPITALS WRAP UP DIVISION, CONFERENCE TITLES WITH VICTORY

Nicklas Backstrom collected 1-1—2 to help the League-leading Capitals clinch their ninth division title in franchise history as well as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the third time (also 2009-10 and 2010-11).

At 52-15-5 (109 points), the Capitals moved within two victories of equaling their single-season franchise record, established in 2009-10 when they won the Presidents’ Trophy (54-15-13, 121 points).

The Capitals improved to 24-9-3 (51 points) as visitors this season to match their franchise record for road wins in one campaign, also set in 2009-10 (24-10-7, 55 points).

Backstrom potted his fourth game-winning goal of the season to equal a career high last achieved in 2011-12. He shares 11th place in the NHL with 19-46—65 overall.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his League-leading 43rd goal of the season.

LIGHTNING DEFEAT RED WINGS, MOVE BACK INTO FIRST IN ATLANTIC

Seven players, including Steven Stamkos (1-1—2), registered multiple points to help the Lightning earn their second straight victory and move back into first place in the Atlantic Division.

Stamkos, who has 5-3—8 in his past five outings, notched his eighth game-winning goal of the season to move into a share of second place in the NHL, behind San Jose’s Joe Pavelski (10).

Stamkos also picked up his 34th overall goal of the campaign, tied for fourth place in the League (w/ Pavelski, Brad Marchand and Vladimir Tarasenko).

TUESDAY’S RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

Buffalo 3, CAROLINA 2
COLUMBUS 3, Philadelphia 2 (SO)
MONTREAL 4, Anaheim 3
Washington 4, OTTAWA 2
TAMPA BAY 6, Detroit 2
WINNIPEG 2, Vancouver 0
MINNESOTA 2, Los Angeles 1
Dallas 6, CHICAGO 2
ARIZONA 4, Edmonton 2
St. Louis 1, SAN JOSE 0

RIVALRY NIGHT SPOTLIGHTS EASTERN CONTENDERS

Two clubs in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race collide when the Rangers (41-24-8, 90 points), the No. 2 team in the Metropolitan Division, play host to the Bruins (39-26-8, 86 points), the No. 3 squad in the Atlantic Division, at Madison Square Garden on NBCSN’s Wednesday Night Rivalry. This marks the third and final meeting of the season between these Original Six foes, who are contesting their 640th all-time regular-season game (BOS: 291-242-106 = 688, NYR: 251-289-99 = 601).

The Bruins and Rangers have split their opening two matchups, with Boston earning a 4-3 win on Nov. 27 in the 2015 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown and New York securing a 2-1 victory on Jan. 11. Overall, 24 of the past 32 regular-season games between these teams have been decided by one goal dating to March 24, 2007.

WEDNESDAY’S ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Ottawa @ NY Islanders, 7:00 p.m., SN, TVAS, MSG+
Boston @ NY Rangers, 8:00 p.m., NBCSN, SN1

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services