NHL roundup: Sidney Crosby breaks a Gretzky record, Blues keep red-hot win streak alive

Sidney Crosby skating on the ice during a stoppage in play (2025)
Sidney Crosby skating on the ice during a stoppage in play (2025)Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
The National Hockey League (NHL) saw a 10-game slate on Thursday during one of the most insane days of the year in sports with both Major League Baseball's Opening Day and the Sweet 16 in March Madness. But the NHL had major headlines of its own.

Pittsburgh Penguins star player Sidney Crosby surpassed Wayne Gretzky as he officially has 20 seasons averaging at least a point (assist or goal) per game.

Crosby's point came from a goal he scored in the Penguins brutal 7-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres

The Penguins have lost three straight games while being outscored 17-7. 

Buffalo, on the other hand, has now won three straight while outscoring their opponents 15-8. 

Blues 3-2 Predators

The St. Louis Blues are now on a league-best eight straight game win streak as they continue to pull away with the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

On the flip side, the Nashville Predators have been eliminated from playoff contnetion with the loss. 

After being down 0-2, the Blues bounced back with three straight goals to win the game - two from Dylan Holloway (26) and one from Cam Fowler (8).

Flyers 6-4 Canadiens

The Flyers ended their six game losing streak with a win in the team's first game after firing head coach John Tortorella.

Rookie sensation Matvei Michkov (22) scored two goals en route to Philly's win.

Meanwhile, the Canadiens (75 points) have dropped four straight games as their hold on the second Wild Card spot is starting to slip with the New York Islanders (74 points), New York Rangers (74 points), and Columbus Blue Jackets 73 pints) all right behind them. 

Lightning 8-0 Utah

Despite outshooting Tampa Bay 25-21, Utah still managed to hand the Lightning their biggest win in franchise history since December 7th, 2006 when they beat the Atlana Thrashers by the same score. 

Oliver Bjorkstrand (19) scored twice while the rest were six goals by six different players as the Lightning are now tied with the Toronto Maple Leafas and Florida Panthers with 89 points on the season.

On the other side, Utah goaltenders Karel Vejmelka and Jaxson Stauber let up four goals each in Utah's second straight loss. 

Around the league

The Minnesota Wild defeated the Washington Capitals 4-2. But Caps star Alexander Ovechkin had his teammates return from the tunnel and take the ice to congralulate Minnesota goalie Marc-Andre Fluery one last time before he retires at the end of the season. 

The Dallas Stars took home a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames, largely in part to goalie Casey DeSmith's 46 saves - the most for him since March 21, 2022 when he made 52 saves against the Penguins. 

After going up 4-1, the Ottawa Senators held off the late rally from the Detroit Red Wings to win 4-3.