NHL Notebook: Trades, Sharks, and Predators

In his team debut, Ben Smith (1-1-2) posted his third multi-point performance of the season to power the San Jose Sharks to a 4-0 shutout victory against the Montreal Canadiens. The Sharks snapped a three-game losing skid and are 31-25-8 (70 points) this season. San Jose moved within three points of the idle Minnesota Wild, who occupy the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference with a record of 33-22-7 (73 points). The Sharks also tied the idle Calgary Flames and Los Angeles Kings in terms of Pacific Division standings points. However, Calgary owns the ROW tiebreaker over both clubs (CGY: 30, SJS: 29, LAK: 28) and remain third in the Pacific Divisions standings.

* Smith opened the scoring with his sixth goal and added his fifth assist of the season. Smith's marker also stood as his first game-winning goal of the season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Smith is the first Sharks player to record a multi-point game in his team debut since Raffi Torres posted two assists on April 7, 2013 in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars.

* Joe Pavelski (1-1-2) netted his team-leading 32nd goal of the season on a power-play and added his 27th assist to record his 14th multi-point game of the season and extended his point streak to three games (1-3-4). The marker was also the team-leading 17th power-play goal of the season for Pavelski, which established a new career-high. With 17 power-play goals, Pavelski trails Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals by one for the League-lead (18).

* Alex Stalock stopped all 20 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season, which tied his career-high. Stalock is 6-7-1 this season with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage.

* Patrick Marleau (1-0-1) netted his 15th goal of the season on a power-play and has scored in three consecutive games (3-0-3). The tally was also the sixth power-play goal of the season for Marleau. Matt Irvin (1-0-1) scored his seventh goal of the season, which established a new career-high. Irwin extended his point streak to three games (2-1-3), which matched a season-high.


TRADE DEADLINE

NHL clubs made 24 trades involving 43 players on Monday prior to the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

* Click here for the official trade tracker, which includes all of Monday's deals.



RANGERS DEFEAT LEAGUE'S TOP TEAM, TAKE FIRST IN METROPOLITAN

The New York Rangers defeated the League-leading Nashville Predators by a score of 4-1 and have earned points in nine straight home games (7-0-2) and in 11 of their past 12 games overall (9-1-2). The Rangers are 39-17-6 (84 points) this season and tied the idle New York Islanders for first in Metropolitan Division standings points. However, the Rangers hold two games in hand and own the ROW tiebreaker (NYR: 36, NYI: 34)

* Cam Talbot made 25 saves to record his 13th win of the season, which established a new career-high. Talbot is 13-6-3 overall this season, which includes points in each of his 10 starts on home ice (7-0-3). Talbot also is 9-2-2 since Feb. 4.

* Mats Zuccarello (0-2-2) recorded his third multi-assist game of the season and Derick Brassard (0-2-2) posted his ninth multi-assist performance of the season. Brassard leads the Rangers in assists this season with 37.

* Rick Nash (1-0-1) scored his team-leading 38th goal of the season into an empty net. With 38 goals, Nash trails Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals by three for the League lead (41). Nash has also scored in three consecutive games versus Nashville (3-0-3).

* Chris Kreider (1-0-1) netted his 17th goal of the season, which matched his career-high. The marker also stood as the fourth game-winning goal of the season for Kreider.


LOOSE PUCKS

Nashville forward Matt Cullen (1-0-1) extended his point streak to a season-high four games (2-4-6). ... Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne made 36 saves, which were six shy of his season-high. ... Carolina forward Andrej Nestrasil (0-1-1) extended his point streak to a career-high three games (0-5-5). ... Carolina forward Nathan Gerbe (0-1-1) extended his point streak to three games (1-2-3), which matched a season-high. ... San Jose forward Logan Couture (0-1-1) has recorded nine points (4-5-9) in five career games versus Montreal. ... The Arizona Coyotes claimed forwards Tye McGinn and Craig Cunningham off waivers. ... Ottawa Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond, Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban and Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 1. ... ICYMI: A handwritten letter from the 11-year-old daughter of Jordan Leopold to the Minnesota Wild coaching staff surfaced on Monday shortly after the defenseman was traded from the Columbus Blue Jackets to the Wild.

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