N H L - National Hockey League

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Blues blank Canucks to clinch playoff berth

 

Elliott makes 15 saves for third consecutive shutout

 

by Louie Korac / NHL.com Correspondent

10:52 AM

Blues celebrate playoff berth VAN@STL: Blues celebrate playoff berth after 4-0 win

3/26/16: The Blues finish off a 4-0 win against the Canucks and celebrate their fifth consecutive playoff berth

 

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues became the fourth team from the Western Conference to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs by defeating the Vancouver Canucks 4-0 at Scottrade Center on Friday.

Brian Elliott made 15 saves for his third consecutive shutout. It's the third time in his career he's had three straight shutouts. He also did it from April 7-11, 2013 and March 22-27, 2012. It's a franchise record he shares with Greg Millen, who had three straight shutouts from Dec. 1-6, 1989.

Elliott is 9-0-1 in the past 11 games he's started. His shutout streak has come after he missed 10 games with a lower-body injury.

The Blues (44-22-9) tied the Dallas Stars with 97 points in the race for first place in the Central Division; the Stars own the tiebreaker because they have 42 regulation and overtime wins to 39 for the Blues. Each team has seven games remaining; the Blues play at the League-leading Washington Capitals on Saturday.

The Stars, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks also clinched playoff berths.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/blues-clinch-nhl-playoff-spot-defeat-canucks/c-279899272?tid=279806642

Edited March 26, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Defensemen lead Predators past Blue Jackets

 

Weber, Josi each finish with multiple points; Nashville can clinch playoff berth on Monday

 

by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

10:12 AM

Weber blasts a power-play goal CBJ@NSH: Weber rockets home one-timer on power play

3/26/16: Shea Weber lets loose a booming one-timer for a power-play goal, giving the Predators a 4-1 lead in the 2nd

 

NASHVILLE - Shea Weber had a goal and an assist, and Roman Josi had three assists to help guide the Nashville Predators to a 5-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

Weber gave Nashville a 4-1 lead at 14:14 of the second period on the power play. Mike Ribeiro made a cross-ice saucer pass from the half-wall and Weber one-timed the puck past Blue Jackets goaltender Joonas Korpisalo for his 18th goal.

Pekka Rinne made 17 saves for the Predators (39-23-13), who can clinch a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference with a regulation win against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.

Columbus (30-37-8) has lost six of the past eight.

James Neal gave the Predators a 1-0 lead at 3:04 of the first period on a wrist shot from the right faceoff circle. Neal took the pass from Ryan Johansen and beat Korpisalo for his 30th goal.

Boone Jenner scored for Columbus to tie the game 1-1 at 11:52 of the first. Brandon Saad took the original shot and Jenner was able to shoot the rebound past Rinne for his 28th goal.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/columbus-blue-jackets-nashville-predators-recap/c-279926328?tid=279843438

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Clutterbuck leads Islanders past Hurricanes

 

New York forward scores in third period, OT in win against Carolina

 

by Kurt Dusterberg / NHL.com Correspondent

9:50 AM

Clutterbuck's overtime winner NYI@CAR: Clutterbuck cranks a game-winning goal in OT

3/26/16: Cal Clutterbuck fires a game-winning goal off Jaccob Slavin and past Eddie Lack to seal the Islanders' win, 4-3, in overtime

RALEIGH, N.C. -- After losing four of their previous five games, the New York Islanders weren't picky about the way they won Saturday.

Cal Clutterbuck scored the tying goal in the third period, then delivered the game-winner with 13.8 seconds remaining in overtime to lift the Islanders to a 4-3 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena.

Brock Nelson's pass set up Clutterbuck, whose shot from the slot hit Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin at the side of the net before going past goalie Eddie Lack.

"That's what it takes," said Clutterbuck, who has 15 goals, five of which are game-winners. "I can't say I feel bad."

Jean-Francois Berube, making his fifth NHL start, struggled in the second period but made 33 saves for the Islanders (40-25-9), who hold the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

Lack made 27 saves for the Hurricanes (32-28-15).

Kyle Okposo's 21st goal of the season gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead at 1:35 of the first period. From the right faceoff circle, Okposo spun to his backhand and put a shot off Lack's stick and under his arm.

"We wanted to come out and play well in the first period and I thought we did," Okposo said. "I just tried to throw a puck on net and fortunately it found its way in."

Nikolay Kulemin extended the lead to 2-0 at 15:55 of the first with a breakaway goal. Kulemin blocked Justin Faulk's shot from inside the blue line, then raced in on Lack to score high over the blocker for his second goal in as many games after going 21 games without one.

"I just tried to be in the lane, and I saw the puck bounce right away," Kulemin said. "I saw that I could beat the defenseman to the puck. It took a nice bounce for me."

Hurricanes coach Bill Peters was not happy with his team's play through 20 minutes, when they were outshot 10-6.

"That shows you whether you're ready to compete at this stage, and we weren't early," Peters said. "That was a little disappointing. I think there are some guys who have more to offer. There are guys who can play better."

The Hurricanes answered with three quick goals to start the second period.

Carolina scored at 59 seconds to make it 2-1. After Brett Pesce's shot was stopped, Chris Terry pushed the rebound to Victor Rask, who scored with Berube out of position.

Jeff Skinner tied the game at 5:34 during a 4-on-4 situation. Skinner followed his shot from the left point, and when Ron Hainsey's rebound bid came out near the left post, Skinner finished for his 26th goal.

Jay McClement's third goal of the season put the Hurricanes on top at 8:01. Berube fumbled Ryan Murphy's shot from along the boards, and when it fell away from the goaltender's pads, McClement chipped in the rebound.

Carolina outshot New York 19-7 in the second period, including six from Skinner.

"Those are not goals that should be going in. I know that," said Berube, who is 3-1-1. "I think I owed it to the team to come back strong in the third period. The guys played huge in front of me."

Clutterbuck was not willing to put the responsibility on his goaltender.

"I feel like the puck just bounced the wrong way," he said. "They threw wrist shots from the point on net, and it just seemed like the thing was bouncing around in there. Generally over the course of the game, there was a good feeling that we weren't going to let those bounces prevent us from winning the game."

The veteran forward did his part to make sure on the first shift of the third period. Linemate Casey Cizikas won a battle behind the net and left a perfect backhand pass for Clutterbuck, who one-timed a shot past Lack.

"[Cizikas] gets down there, he's tenacious, and he's got the ability to make the plays when he comes up with the puck," Clutterbuck said. "You can't give him enough credit all year. He's been doing that the balance of the season."

The Islanders and Hurricanes generated good scoring chances in a wide-open overtime. Jordan Staal cut to the net but was denied by Berube. Lack denied consecutive shots by Nielsen. Late in the period, John Tavares tried to set up Cizikas in close, but they couldn't connect.

Finally, Nelson picked up Clutterbuck and delivered a pass from the right-side boards.

"I didn't catch it flush," Clutterbuck said. "It kind of rolled and I pushed it out right. I couldn't really see (because) there was a guy in front of me. I just saw it end up landing behind the goalie."

Carolina has lost in overtime or a shootout four times in the past seven games (1-2-4).

"It's always tough to lose in OT, especially in the last few seconds," Skinner said. "A positive was the way we came out in the second, but something to work on is coming out in the first period a little bit better."

The Hurricanes complete a back-to-back set when they host the New Jersey Devils on Sunday. The Islanders are off until Tuesday, when they host the Hurricanes.

"We just have to keep winning games," Okposo said. "That's how we're going to do it. We've got to get back to working and grinding it out."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-defeat-hurricanes-in-overtime/c-279924928?tid=279843436

Edited March 27, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Blues blank Capitals to continue streak

 

St. Louis hasn't allowed goal in 240:18, longest run in its history

 

by Katie Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

9:16 AM

Allen's 32-save shutout STL@WSH: Allen backstops Blues to franchise record

3/26/16: Jake Allen makes 32 saves in a 4-0 win, leading the Blues to their fourth consecutive shutout, a new franchise record

 

WASHINGTON -- Goaltender Jake Allen sat on the bench three games in a row and watched teammate Brian Elliott earn three consecutive shutouts. Allen just hoped he'd be able to keep up when he got his chance to play.

Allen did just that Saturday, making 32 saves to help the St. Louis Blues continue their shutout streak in a 4-0 win against the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center.

"The goalies have been just outstanding," St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They've been the story all year. They're what have kept us afloat all year and they're doing it again."

Kyle Brodziak, Colton Parayko, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Berglund scored for the Blues (45-22-9), who defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 last Saturday, the San Jose Sharks 1-0 on Tuesday and the Canucks 4-0 on Friday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-shut-out-washington-capitals/c-279922680?tid=279843434

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Panthers storm past Lightning into first

 

Jagr, Luongo push Florida to top of Atlantic Division

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

10:56 AM

TAMPA -- Jaromir Jagr scored a power-play goal, Roberto Luongo made 33 saves, and the Florida Panthers took over first place in the Atlantic Division with a 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

Vincent Trocheck, Jiri Hudler, Jonathan Huberdeau and Jussi Jokinen scored for the Panthers (42-24-9), who went 4-1-0 against the Lightning this season.

The Panthers have a two-point lead over the Lightning with seven games remaining.

"We weren't worried about the season series, we're looking at standings and this was a big game for our club," Luongo said. "This was a playoff-type game."

Tyler Johnson and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning (43-27-5), who had won three in a row.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-defeat-lightning-to-gain-first-in-atlantic-division/c-279924710?tid=279843988

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Ducks rally for win against Senators

 

Rakell caps comeback in overtime, Anaheim trailed 3-0 in third

 

by Chris Stevenson / NHL.com Correspondent

11:56 AM

Rakell's overtime winner ANA@OTT: Rakell wrists overtime winner on the PP

3/26/16: Rickard Rakell completes the Ducks' comeback, firing a wrister past Craig Anderson on the power play to win the game in overtime

 

OTTAWA -- If you give the top power play in the NHL enough opportunities, the chances are it will come through.

The Anaheim Ducks rallied from a three-goal deficit in the third period and Rickard Rakell scored with the man-advantage at 2:38 of overtime in a 4-3 win against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.

Rakell scored with Senators forward Bobby Ryan, a former Ducks player, serving a double minor penalty for high sticking. It was Rakell's 20th goal of the season.

"We had a plan when we came out (for the power play in overtime)," Rakell said. "We tried it the first time, rolled it the second time and (Ryan) Getzlaf found me and I thought I had some time in the slot there, so I just went for the shot."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/anaheim-ducks-defeat-ottawa-senators/c-279925574?tid=279843430

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Kreider, Rangers knock off Canadiens

 

Forward scores twice, helps New York maintain second place in Metropolitan

 

by Sean Farrell / NHL.com Correspondent

11:29 AM

Kreider's goal on breakaway NYR@MTL: Kreider gives the Rangers a three-goal lead

3/26/16: Chris Kreider forces a turnover, wins the race to the loose puck and scores his second goal of the game on a breakaway

 

MONTREAL -- New York Rangers coach Alain Vigneault tinkered with his lines and came up with a potent combination in Chris Kreider, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash.

Kreider had two goals and an assist, and Brassard had a goal and two assists in the second period to help New York to a 5-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre on Saturday.

Kreider assisted on Brassard's 27th goal of the season, which leads the Rangers, at 1:32 of the second. Brassard and Keith Yandle assisted on Kreider's power-play goal at 8:19.

Kreider made it 4-1 when he scored unassisted at 10:42 for his 18th goal.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-montreal-canadiens-recap/c-279922678?tid=279843322

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Bruins edge Maple Leafs, end five-game slide

 

Bergeron, Chara score in second period; Rask makes 25 saves

 

by Mike Brophy / NHL.com Correspondent

9:30 AM

TORONTO -- The Boston Bruins ended a five-game losing streak by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1 at Air Canada Centre on Saturday.

Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara scored in the second period for Boston (40-28-8), which is third in the Atlantic Division, three points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings, who lost 7-2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier Saturday.

"You want to win and you look at our situation with Detroit losing this afternoon, so this is an opportunity for us to gain some points," Boston coach Claude Julien said. "It was an important game for us for that reason, but also you don't want to prolong that streak any more than you had to. That first win is always the toughest, so hopefully we can build on it."

Matt Beleskey scored a power-play goal into an empty net with 49.5 seconds remaining in the third period, and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves for the Bruins, who continue a four-game road trip at the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/boston-bruins-toronto-maple-leafs-recap/c-279923432?tid=279843318

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Janmark, Stars keep Sharks from clinching

 

Dallas forward scores twice; San Jose loses third straight

 

by Eric Gilmore / NHL.com Correspondent

8:21 AM

Janmark buries Spezza's feed DAL@SJS: Janmark scores his second goal of the game

3/26/16: Mattias Janmark fires Jason Spezza's feed past Martin Jones for his second goal of the game, putting the Stars up 2-0 in the 2nd

 

SAN JOSE -- Some time off turned out to be a good thing for Dallas Stars goaltender Antti Niemi and forward Mattias Janmark.

Janmark scored two goals, and Niemi made 34 saves in a 4-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.

The Sharks (41-28-6) missed their third straight chance, all at home, to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. San Jose can clinch Saturday if the Arizona Coyotes lose in regulation to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Janmark returned to the lineup after missing six games with an upper-body injury and skated on the second line with center Jason Spezza and Valeri Nichushkin. He gave the Stars a 1-0 lead at 15:28 of the first period with his 14th goal of the season, deflecting defenseman Jordie Benn's shot from the point past Martin Jones, inside the left post.

"Maybe in some way it was a blessing having some time off," Stars coach Lindy Ruff said of Janmark. "He looks refreshed. He was skating well. He looked a little fatigued before he went out. Not only did he score a couple goals, his compete and his skating was good."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-san-jose-sharks-game-recap/c-279915496?tid=279843316

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Dubnyk, Wild shut out Avalanche

 

Minnesota increases wild-card lead over Colorado to five points

 

by Rick Sadowski / NHL.com Correspondent

6:10 AM

DENVER -- Devan Dubnyk made 29 saves and Zach Parise had two goals when the Minnesota Wild defeated the Colorado Avalanche 4-0 at Pepsi Center on Saturday.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Wild (37-28-11), who increased their lead to five points ahead of the Avalanche for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.

"Until we're in, you're never happy," Wild coach John Torchetti said. "That's just the bottom line, that's why it's game by game. Anyone can make up points, you've seen it all over the League. That's a great win and we're going to have a nice plane ride, then back to work."

The Wild have six games remaining and play the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday to open a two-game homestand.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-colorado-avalanche-game-recap/c-279913758?tid=279843314

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Penguins roll past Red Wings

 

Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino each has career-high five points, Pittsburgh wins for seventh time in eight games

 

by Paul Harris / NHL.com Correspondent

5:14 AM

Kessel scores with wicked wrister PIT@DET: Kessel beats Mrazek from tough angle

3/26/16: Phil Kessel skates in to the zone and fires a wrist shot off the post and past Petr Mrazek from a tough angle for a 4-1 lead

DETROIT -- Phil Kessel and Nick Bonino each had an NHL career-high five points to help the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 7-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Saturday.

The Penguins, third in the Metropolitan Division, increased their lead over the fourth-place New York Islanders (who visited the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday) to three points. Pittsburgh trails the second-place New York Rangers (who visited the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday) by two points. The Red Wings, fourth in the Atlantic Division, remained one point behind the third-place Boston Bruins and tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Bruins and Flyers each played Saturday.

"We knew this was a key game, and we played like it," said Penguins forward Carl Hagelin, who scored two goals. "The Red Wings have been getting closer in the race, so it was big to get two points and keep them to none."

Kessel and Bonino each had a goal and four assists. Bonino was a game-time decision because of an upper-body injury and had 16 points in 54 games coming into the game.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-detroit-red-wings-game-recap/c-279912022?tid=279843212

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Rookies rally Sabres to win against Jets

 

Reinhart scores tying goal, sets up Eichel for winner; Fasching nets first in NHL

 

by Joe Yerdon / NHL.com Correspondent

3:44 AM

Eichel snipes it past Hutchinson WPG@BUF: Eichel beats Hutchinson for the lead

3/26/16: Jack Eichel fires a wrist shot from the slot past Michael Hutchinson, giving the Sabres a 3-2 lead in the 3rd

 

BUFFALO -- The youth movement for the Buffalo Sabres was more than apparent Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist, Jack Eichel had the game-winner, and Hudson Fasching scored his first NHL goal to help the Sabres to a 3-2 win against the Jets at First Niagara Center.

Reinhart tied the game 2-2 with his 21st goal 1:23 into the third period and then set up Eichel at 4:07.

"I tried to use my shot to my ability there," said Eichel, who scored his 23rd of the season. "Sam makes a great play in the neutral zone, causes a turnover, and hits me with a lot of speed. I just tried to put on one net and it's nice to get rewarded."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-buffalo-sabres-game-recap/c-279908170?tid=279843210

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Ladd leads Blackhawks past Flames

 

Chicago forward gets two goals, assist in win at Calgary

 

by Aaron Vickers / NHL.com Correspondent

12:42 PM

Ladd's goal off turnover CHI@CGY: Ladd steals puck, scores 21st goal of season

3/26/16: Andrew Ladd picks off a pass in the Flames' zone and lights the lamp with a wrist shot, opening the scoring in the 2nd period

CALGARY -- Andrew Ladd had two goals and an assist, and Scott Darling made 31 saves to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-1 win against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Saturday.

Andrew Shaw and Teuvo Teravainen scored for the Blackhawks (43-25-7), who won for the second time in their previous eight games (2-4-2). Chicago trails the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues by six points for first in the Central Division, and is two points ahead of the Nashville Predators for third.

Dougie Hamilton scored, and Joni Ortio made 25 saves for the Flames (31-38-6), who have lost three in a row.

Shaw put Chicago up 2-1 with 49 seconds remaining in the second period, deflecting Michal Rozsival's shot from the point over Ortio to extend his goal-scoring streak to three games. The goal came after he took minor penalties for roughing and slashing 2:20 apart.

Darling made 11 third period saves, including back-to-back stops on Brandon Bollig's slap shot from the point and TJ Brodie with just over seven minutes remaining.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/andrew-ladd-leads-chicago-blackhawks-past-calgary-flames/c-279936722?tid=279843982

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Kings' big line is too much for Oilers

 

Lucic-Carter-Toffoli trio combine for four goals, 10 points

 

by Curtis Zupke / NHL.com Correspondent

12:56 PM

Toffoli opens scoring early EDM@LAK: Toffoli nets rebound 16 seconds into game

3/26/16: Tyler Toffoli snaps the puck past the glove of Laurent Brossoit to give the Kings a 1-0 lead 16 seconds into the game

 

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Kings have emphasized getting back to their championship form for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

They didn't exactly play Kings' hockey on Saturday, but they did end a three-game losing streak whenTyler Toffoli had two goals and two assists,Jeff Carter scored twice and Milan Lucic contributed three assists in a 6-4 victory against the Edmonton Oilers at Staples Center.

 

The line of Toffoli, Carter and Lucic combined for four goals and 10 points. The Kings (45-25-5) nearly squandered a 5-2 lead in the third period but remained three points ahead of the second-place Anaheim Ducks in the Pacific Division. Los Angeles has played one more game; the Kings play at the San Jose Sharks on Monday, the same night the Oilers host the Ducks.

"We want to get our game [at] 100 percent going into the playoffs, and playing the right way," Toffoli said. "It's a good sign when we're scoring big goals, but at the same time, we've got to tighten it up a little bit."

Patrick Maroon 's second goal with 3:10 remaining was set up by Connor McDavid and pulled Edmonton to 5-4, but the Oilers (30-41-7) couldn't force overtime, and Carter scored into an empty net with 32 seconds left.

The six goals equaled the Kings' total in the previous four games combined. Lucic matched a career-high in assists and Carter reached 20 goals for the ninth straight season.

"Jeff Carter's line was as good as those three guys have been all year," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "They were outstanding."

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick made 29 saves for his 38th win, one short of his single-season high, set in 2009-10. He is 19-1-5 in his career against Edmonton. Quick made a highlight left-skate save on Maroon early in the second period when the game was tied 2-2.

"I thought I scored there," Maroon said. "He made a hell of a save on the toe cap. Unfortunately, that could have made it a 3-[2] game. It could have changed the momentum, maybe. But I thought they played all in our zone in the second period. We had no momentum."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-defeat-edmonton-oilers/c-279937158?tid=279843446

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Smith makes 34 saves, Coyotes defeat Flyers

 

Philadelphia's Giroux, Arizona's Doan injured in third period

 

by Jerry Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

12:48 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Mike Smith made 34 saves to help the Arizona Coyotes to a 2-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers at Gila River Arena on Saturday.

Shane Doan and Michael Stone scored second-period goals for Arizona, but neither player finished a very physical game.

Doan was injured when Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas hit him into the boards in the third period. Doan staggered afterward, needed assistance to the bench, and went to the locker room shortly after leaving the ice with 13:53 remaining.

Stone got his left leg twisted up with Flyers forward Michael Raffl with 8:37 left and had to be helped from the ice.

Sean Couturier scored in the final minute for the Flyers.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/arizona-coyotes-defeat-philadelphia-flyers/c-279936832?tid=279843440

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Rask, Hurricanes edge Devils

 

Forward has two goals, Carolina holds on to defeat New Jersey

 

by Kurt Dusterberg / NHL.com Correspondent

March 28th, 2016

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Victor Rask is a soft-spoken Swede, but the second-year NHL forward is beginning to let his game do the talking.

Rask scored twice and the Carolina Hurricanes held off the New Jersey Devils 3-2 at PNC Arena on Sunday.

The 23-year-old center reached the 20-goal mark for the first time, boosting his point total to 45.

"It's a lot of fun to score goals, but I just try to develop for every game and see how that goes," he said.

Rask has six goals in the past 10 games, and is a reliable scoring option for the Hurricanes.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/carolina-hurricanes-new-jersey-devils-recap/c-279944876?tid=279894248

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Crosby lifts Penguins by Rangers in overtime

 

Pittsburgh moves within three points of New York for second place in division

 

by Dan Rosen @drosennhl / NHL.com Staff Writer

March 28th, 2016

NEW YORK -- The Pittsburgh Penguins are chasing the New York Rangers for second place in the Metropolitan Division, but Pittsburgh doesn't have to catch New York to feel confident about defeating the Rangers should they meet in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Penguins, at least for now, appear to have the Rangers' number.

Sidney Crosby scored his 32nd goal of the season with 29.5 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Pittsburgh to a 3-2 win against New York at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. It was the Penguins third win against the Rangers in as many games this month.

The earliest they can play each other again is the Eastern Conference First Round, provided the standings hold.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-new-york-rangers-recap/c-279947470?tid=279894250

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Blackhawks defeat Canucks, clinch playoff berth

 

Ladd scores late to lift Chicago to victory; Darling makes 26 saves

 

by Kevin Woodley / NHL.com Correspondent

March 28th, 2016

VANCOUVER -- Andrew Ladd and Jonathan Toews played parts of three seasons together leading up to the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup championship in 2010, so it shouldn't be surprising they've had chemistry since Chicago reacquired Ladd from the Winnipeg Jets last month.

Ladd scored the winning goal on a drop pass from Toews with 2:27 left in the third period, and Chicago clinched its eighth straight berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 3-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Sunday.

It was Ladd's third goal in two games and his sixth in 13 since the Feb. 25 trade with Winnipeg.

"Every game, you are getting more comfortable," Ladd said of playing with Toews and Marian Hossa. "You know what to expect from each other."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/blackhawks-defeat-canucks-earn-nhl-playoff-berth/c-279948018?tid=279894356

Edited March 28, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Giroux OT goal lifts Flyers past Jets

 

Scores with 13.6 seconds left to help Philadelphia maintain wild-card lead on Detroit

 

by Adam Kimelman @NHLAdamK / NHL.com Deputy Managing Editor

March 29th, 2016

Giroux's overtime winner WPG@PHI: Gostisbehere steals, Giroux nets OT winner

3/28/16: Shayne Gostisbehere steals the puck and quickly sends a short pass to Claude Giroux, who scores the game-winning goal in overtime

 

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux answered any questions about whether he'd be able to play Monday against the Winnipeg Jets.

Giroux scored with 13.6 seconds left in overtime to give the Flyers a 3-2 win against the Jets at Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia (37-25-13) holds the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Flyers and Detroit Red Wings each have 87 points after Detroit defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Monday, but Philadelphia is in the East's final playoff spot because it's played one fewer game.

With the final seconds of overtime ticking away, Giroux was first on the puck after Dustin Byfuglien's shot missed the Philadelphia net. He led a 2-on-1 with Shayne Gostisbehere and tried centering a pass. Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele tipped the pass, but Gostisbehere knocked down the puck and backhanded a pass ahead to Giroux, who was alone in front of Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec. Giroux lifted a wrist shot off Pavelec's shoulder and into the net.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-jets-in-overtime/c-279963106?tid=279894468

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Capitals win Presidents' Trophy

 

Washington clinches top spot in NHL after defeating Blue Jackets

 

by Katie Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

Caps clinch Presidents' Trophy CBJ@WSH: Capitals clinch second Presidents' Trophy

3/28/16: The Capitals clinch their second President's Trophy in franchise history with a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jackets at Verizon Center

 

WASHINGTON -- They have accomplished much of what they set out to do this season, but the Washington Capitals aren't going to celebrate just yet.

"There's not going to be a champagne party or anything like that," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said after his team clinched the Presidents' Trophy with a 4-1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Verizon Center on Monday. "There's a sense of fulfillment that we said we were going to do some things and we accomplished them so far and we've still got some things to accomplish. The season's not over because we wrapped this up."

Washington is atop the NHL standings with 113 points and guaranteed home-ice advantage for the entirety of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

"I think we all knew it was coming," defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "We're not spraying champagne or anything, but I think guys are happy. It's a marathon. We won the marathon, and now we get to prepare for the seven-game sprints."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-clinch-presidents-trophy/c-279963622?tid=279894470

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Red Wings hang on to defeat Sabres

 

Detroit almost squanders 3-0 lead, keeps pace with Flyers for second wild card in East

 

by Paul Harris / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

Sheahan goes top-shelf BUF@DET: Sheahan snipes one past Johnson

3/28/16: Riley Sheahan carries the puck through the neutral zone to the top of the circle and rips a wrist shot top-shelf past Chad Johnson

 

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings almost let a 3-0 lead with three minutes remaining slip away, but held on to defeat the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 at Joe Louis Arena on Monday.

The Red Wings remain tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild-card in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in overtime Monday and hold the tie-breaker since they have a game in hand. The Red Wings, fourth in the Atlantic Division, moved to within a point of the third-place Boston Bruins.

Dylan Larkin, Riley Sheahan and Luke Glendening scored for Detroit (38-27-11). Henrik Zetterberg had two assists and Jimmy Howard made 18 saves.

"I thought we had to be good. I thought we were. … obviously, until the very end there," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "I thought we played a good game, we didn't give them much, didn't give up many shots, didn't give up a whole lots of chances. Obviously there's still corrections we can make with some mistakes. Overall, I thought it was good."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-red-wings-defeat-buffalo-sabres/c-279966378?tid=279894472

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Bishop, Lightning shut out Maple Leafs

 

Tampa Bay goalie makes 34 saves to blank Toronto

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

TAMPA -- Ben Bishop had 34 saves for his 16th career shutout in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 3-0 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Amalie Arena on Monday.

Mike Blunden, Ondrej Palat and Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning (44-27-5), who are tied with the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers, however, have a game in hand and will host the Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

"There are team shutouts and there are goalie shutouts, take a guess which one that was," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "There are games you're going play and you walk out of there wondering how we didn't get a point. And then you have games, hopefully there are not near as many, where you say for sure we didn't deserve to roll out of there with a 3-0 win."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/ben-bishop-of-tampa-bay-lightning-shuts-out-toronto-maple-leafs/c-279965206?tid=279894474

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Avalanche hang on for win against Predators

 

Nashville can't finish rally, fails in bid to clinch playoff spot

 

by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

NASHVILLE -- Semyon Varlamov made 14 of his 32 saves in the third period, and the Colorado Avalanche hung on for a 4-3 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Monday.

Shawn Matthias scored to put Colorado ahead 4-1 with 7:47 remaining. He took a pass from Mikkel Boedker and beat Predators goaltender Carter Hutton on a breakaway for his 10th goal.

"The guys were competing tonight," Matthias said. "We wanted it. We're still in this race, we believe in each other. It's a big team win."

The Avalanche (39-33-4) are three points behind the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference. They lost 4-0 to the Wild at home Saturday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/avalanche-defeat-predators/c-279967128?tid=279894476

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Ducks finish 3-1-1 road trip, defeat Oilers

 

Gibson has 27 saves, Anaheim holds off Edmonton

 

by By Derek Van Diest / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

Perry hammers early goal ANA@EDM: Perry opens the scoring with a blast

3/28/16: Corey Perry brings the puck into the zone and unleashes a slap shot past Cam Talbot to give the Ducks an early lead

 

EDMONTON -- A strong outing by goaltender John Gibson helped the Anaheim Ducks conclude a five-game road trip with a win and pulled them within a point of the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division.

Gibson made 27 saves for the Ducks in a 2-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place on Monday.

Corey Perry and Brandon Pirri scored for Anaheim (42-23-10) in its second consecutive victory to concluded the road trip 3-1-1. The Kings lost 5-2 at the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

"I thought we were resilient, but we were pretty sloppy tonight and we looked a little tired," Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. "It was a good win for us to have at the end of a long road trip, allowing only one goal. They missed some opportunities, but [Gibson] was the difference in the game."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/anaheim-ducks-defeat-edmonton-oilers/c-279970006?tid=279894478

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Bennett, Monahan power Flames past Coyotes

 

Forwards combine for five points, help Calgary end three-game skid

 

by Jerry Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

March 29th, 2016

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Calgary Flames were missing leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau on Monday, but rookie Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan provided more than enough offense to overcome the loss.

Bennett scored two goals, Monahan had a goal and two assists, and Joni Ortio made 22 saves to help the Flames to a 5-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena.

With Gaudreau sidelined by an upper-body injury and several other regulars out, Calgary called up four players from Stockton of the American Hockey League for the game: defenseman Brett Kulak and forwards Derek Grant, Emile Poirier and Hunter Shinkaruk. Grant and Shinkaruk each got his first NHL point on an assist.

"All the kids coming up brought a lot of new energy. I really liked their third periods," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "That was our best period. We were skating well, we made smart decisions and we were intense. I was proud of the entire group."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/calgary-flames-defeat-arizona-coyotes/c-279972910?tid=279894480

Edited March 29, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots