There's a reason Evgeny Kuznetsov is the fourth-fastest player in Washington Capitals history to bag 100 assists.

Kuznetsov hit the triple-digit total in spectacular fashion Sunday night, dishing from a danger-scoring area to a cutting Justin Williams, who had an exposed net as a result of his linemate's recognition.

With points in four straight games, and four primary assists over the span, Kuznetsov's heating up after a slow start to his third full season.

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Another bullet leaping out of the chamber; the game's deadliest stationary sniper has his 200th kill on the power play.

Alex Ovechkin became just the 18th player in NHL history to record 200 power-play goals in his career, scoring with his vintage power release from inside the circle Sunday versus the Vancouver Canucks.

Barring an injury, Ovechkin projects to pass Mark Recchi, Steve Yzerman, Joe Sakic, and Wayne Gretzky at some point this season. He needs another 75 power-play goals to pass the all-time leader, Dave Andreychuk.

The goal also saw Ovechkin break out of a seven-game goalless funk.

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Even the teddy bears were impressed.

Guelph Storm defender Ryan Merkley celebrated the club's annual Teddy Bear Toss game with one hell of a goal, showing remarkable patience, skating ability, and hands.

Only 16, Merkley went into Sunday with four goals and 14 assists in 24 games. He was the first overall pick in the OHL draft in April, and he'll be a household name in NHL circles soon enough.

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The John Scott movie has been put to paper.

That's what we gather from the image shared Sunday on Instagram by the recently retired former enforcer and All-Star Game MVP.

Scott confirmed in February the film was in the works, but this would appear to be the first glimpse of the script itself.

Related - Casting the inevitable John Scott movie

He still isn't sure who's going to play the lead role, but if his caption is any indication, he just might have a say in the decision.

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Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has been suspended two games for a hit to the head of Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.

Oleksiak was assessed the suspension for "making the head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable," according to the league.

The Stars blue-liner caught VandeVelde up high immediately after the Flyers center took a shot on goal in the third period of Saturday's game.

In addition to missing a pair of games, Oleksiak will also forfeit about $10,000.

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Max Pacioretty's a pretty good quote.

The Montreal Canadiens captain was asked about the influence of Alex Radulov, one of his newest teammates, by NHL.com's Arpon Basu after Saturday's thrashing of the Colorado Avalanche, and No. 67 gave an interesting - and long - answer.

"It's tough for me to express how I feel about how important he is because ... how dynamic he plays not only is great to produce offense but it rubs off on our entire lineup," Pacioretty said. "I know it's rubbed off on me since I've been on his line."

If we're going to learn anything about Radulov from Pacioretty, it's that the Russian is as dynamic as dynamic can get, and that dynamic-ness is helping Pacioretty play more dynamic.

"I feel like I'm playing much more dynamic, I'm making the plays when they're there," Pacioretty added. "But I owe a lot of that to him because it's not just making the plays with him, but seeing him do it night in and night out. That's kind of that Russian mentality. Some of these guys come over here and, him especially, he's not worried about the turnover last shift. He's just worried about the next shift and playing dynamic and trying to make the play when it's there."

It appears Radulov's ability to treat each shift as simply one shift is what Pacioretty is taking to heart.

"I think sometimes we turn into a bit of robots playing over in North America where you had a bad shift before, you made a turnover and you might not try it the next shift. That might creep into your head. But you see him do it, every shift he goes out there with almost a clean slate, trying to play dynamic and trying to make the right play when it's there. It's just a lot of fun to play with and I feel it's rubbed off on our lineup and we've seen some results from it."

After Pacioretty's four-goal and five-point outburst Saturday, he leads the Habs in scoring with 24 points. He's the only Canadien with 10 or more goals. Behind him in points is Radulov, with 23, and he's averaging only 16:35 in ice time per game.

Based on Radulov's production and his captain's comments, it's clear Marc Bergevin nailed this free-agent signing.

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Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki has been suspended two games for boarding Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli on Saturday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.

Borowiecki received a five-minute major for the check, which occurred along the half wall early in the first period of the Kings' 4-1 win.

The Senators blueliner hit Toffoli "forcefully through (the) numbers, driving him dangerously into the glass," according to the league.

Borowiecki, who'd never been fined or suspended prior to Sunday's decision, will also forfeit about $12,000.

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A familiar face is no longer occupying the New York Rangers' crease, but he appears to be at peace with the decision.

Henrik Lundqvist has ceded starting duties to backup netminder Antti Raanta, who'll lead the Rangers out for the third straight game Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.

It will be the first time Lundqvist sits against the Devils at Madison Square Garden in about 10 years, according to Newsday's Steve Zipay.

Losing a starting job can't be easy, particularly for someone so accustomed to having one, but Lundqvist is saying all the right things.

"If (Raanta) hadn't played that well and I'm still sitting here, that would be hard to accept," the one-time Vezina Trophy winner told Zipay, later adding. "It's about what's best for the team right now, it's not about me."

Raanta is 7-1-0 with a 1.83 GAA and a .939 save percentage in 10 games, and he's allowed only three goals combined in his last three starts, including back-to-back victories Thursday and Friday that culminated in a shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Lundqvist has shouldered a heavier workload, as expected, but his performance hasn't been inspiring. He's 12-8-1 with a 2.55 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 21 contests.

"Antti is definitely playing well and deserves to play tonight and that’s what we’re doing," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday, adding, "(Henrik)'s like all our players, (he has) a team-first attitude and right now, there's no doubt Antti's playing well and deserves to play."

Whether it's a changing of the guard or simply a case of riding the hot hand, Lundqvist isn't questioning it.

"You know I like to play and a lot of times that's how I get into a nice rhythm, but (it's) hard to argue when Antti's playing that well," he said.

Despite the Rangers' back-to-back wins, they've cooled off a bit since their scorching start and now trail the Pittsburgh Penguins - who have the same number of points but hold a game in hand - for the Metropolitan Division lead.

Lundqvist hasn't played since he allowed four goals in a loss to the New York Islanders last Tuesday.

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Pennsylvania, stand up.

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are hot as can be right now. The Penguins have won five in a row and sit atop the Metropolitan Division with 39 points. The Flyers are riding an eight-game winning streak and are two points behind. Both clubs are offensive dynamos.

And each team boasts its own version of a "Big Three."

In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby is leading the way, of course, scoring at the highest rate of his career - 0.91 goals per game. His 31 points are third-most in the league.

Right behind him, though, are Evgeni Malkin (12 goals, 18 assists) and Phil Kessel (nine goals, 21 assists), who are loving life together on the second line.

Any line Crosby is on is dominating possession. You could be on No. 87's wing and the Penguins would still have the puck.

Malkin, Kessel, and Carl Hagelin, meanwhile, are dominating, too, with a Corsi For rating of 61.70 percent, according to Corsica Hockey. Malkin's taken over at center for playoff hero Nick Bonino, making a potent - and fast - line that much stronger.

Brotherly love

On the east side of the state, meanwhile, a triumvirate is giving the Penguins' threesome a run for its money.

Jakub Voracek has 11 goals - as many as he scored last season - in 30 games. His 32 points trail only Connor McDavid. Claude Giroux's got 29 points, tying him for eighth in the league, while Wayne Simmonds has 27, tied for 11th. Simmonds' 15 goals rank fourth in the NHL.

Between both teams, the production between the six is off the charts and very even.

In the one meeting between Pittsburgh and Philly this season, on Oct. 29, a 5-4 Penguins win, the six combined for eight goals and three assists - at least one was involved in 10 of the 11 goals scored.

The Flyers and Penguins will meet three times in slightly over a month beginning on Feb. 25. Fun.

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