N H L - National Hockey League

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Seabrook's OT goal lifts Blackhawks past Jets

 

Panarin scores twice, sets up winner; Kane gets 40th

 

by Patrick Williams / NHL.com Correspondent

12:41 PM

Seabrook's game-winning goal CHI@WPG: Panarin sets up Seabrook for GWG in overtime

4/1/16: On the odd-man rush, Artemi Panarin finds Brent Seabrook, who wrists it by Ondrej Pavelec, giving the Blackhawks a 5-4 win in overtime

WINNIPEG -- Defenseman Brent Seabrook scored 1:02 into overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 5-4 win against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre on Friday.

Artemi Panarin led a 2-on-1 rush before sending a cross-ice pass to Seabrook that he one-timed past Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec from the right circle for his 14th goal. Panarin also scored twice; he one-timed Marcus Kruger's pass past Pavelec with 4:45 remaining in the third period to tie the game 4-4.

"I think it's huge for our team," Seabrook said. "It was good to see, and I think it's a definite confidence-booster going forward to know that we can be down, get a big goal, get it to overtime [and win]."

In a game that featured four lead changes, NHL scoring leader Patrick Kane reached the 40-goal mark for the first time in his career when he scored late in the second period. Brandon Mashinter also had a first-period goal for the Blackhawks (45-26-7), who are third in the Central Division and host the Boston Bruins on Sunday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-defeat-winnipeg-jets-in-overtime/c-280071946?tid=280015146

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Capitals set franchise record with 55th win

 

Washington's win vs. Avalanche surpasses 54 from 2009-10; Goalie Holtby is one victory shy of Brodeur's single-season record

 

by Rick Sadowski / NHL.com Correspondent

1:08 PM

DENVER -- The Washington Capitals put on a dominating performance Friday at Pepsi Center, yet needed to hold on for a 4-2 win against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Capitals (55-16-6) outshot the Avalanche 47-19 and set a franchise record for wins in a season; Washington won 54 games in 2009-10.

"This has been a very special season," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. "This group has been very consistent, they care about the regular season, they care every time they step on the ice. That's a great asset."

Goalie Braden Holtby, who made 17 saves, won his 47th game of the season, one shy of the NHL record set by Martin Brodeur of the New Jersey Devils in 2006-07.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-colorado-avalanche-recap/c-280072930?tid=280015152

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Etem's late goal lifts Canucks past Ducks

 

Loss prevents Anaheim from regaining first place in Pacific

 

by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent

2:03 PM

ANAHEIM -- Emerson Etem scored the tiebreaking goal against his former team with 6:37 remaining in the third period to give the Vancouver Canucks a 3-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Friday at Honda Center.

The loss prevented the Ducks (43-25-10) from retaking first place in the Pacific Division. They trail the Los Angeles Kings by one point.

"It was a game we should've had," Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau said. "We should've had two points tonight. You need 20 guys playing. We didn't have all 20 going."

Etem, a native of Long Beach, Calif., who made his first appearance in Anaheim since being traded to the New York Rangers in the offseason and then to the Canucks in January, beat defenseman Cam Fowler to a loose puck and swatted it past John Gibson for his fourth goal of the season, breaking a 2-2 tie.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/vancouver-canucks-edge-anaheim-ducks/c-280075016?tid=280015154

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Saad's hat trick leads Blue Jackets past Hurricanes

 

Forward helps Columbus eliminate Carolina from playoff contention

 

by Kurt Dusterberg / NHL.com Correspondent

9:21 AM

Saad steals pass, nets breakway CBJ@CAR: Saad ties the game with a breakaway goal

4/2/16: Brandon Saad intercepts Jay McClement's pass in the defensive zone before charging down the ice and snapping a goal

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Brandon Saad scored his first NHL hat trick and the Columbus Blue Jackets ended a four-game losing streak with a 5-1 win against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on Saturday.

Goalie Joonas Korpisalo made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets (31-39-8) for his 15th win of the season.

The Hurricanes (34-29-16) were eliminated from contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Jeff Skinner scored his 28th goal to give Carolina a 1-0 lead at 8:53 of the first period. After a pass from Victor Rask didn't connect, Skinner gathered the puck and moved around Blue Jackets defenseman Cody Goloubef before beating Korpisalo with a wrist shot to the far post.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/brandon-saad-hat-trick/c-280090962?tid=280056132

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Sabres keep Rangers from clinching

 

New York loses third in row; O'Reilly scores twice for Buffalo

 

by Pat Pickens / NHL.com Correspondent

9:57 AM

O'Reilly scores twice in the 1st BUF@NYR: O'Reilly nets two, helps Sabres grab lead

4/2/16: Ryan O'Reilly opened the scoring with a rebound goal and then buried a pass from Jack Eichel to give the Sabres a 2-0 lead in the 1st

 

NEW YORK -- Ryan O'Reilly scored twice for the Buffalo Sabres in a 4-3 win against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

The Rangers could have clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a win but lost their third straight game.

Sabres goalie Chad Johnson made 33 saves and is 6-2-1 in his past nine starts.

Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was pulled early in the second period after allowing three goals on nine shots. Antti Raanta finished the game, saving 14 of 15 shots. Lundqvist was pulled for the second time in New York's past seven games and allowed at least three goals for the eighth time in his past 10 starts.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/sabres-beat-rangers/c-280092162?tid=280055918

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Barkov lifts Panthers past Canadiens

 

Center has two goals, two assists to help Florida rally from down three

 

NHL.com

9:54 AM

Barkov's go-ahead goal MTL@FLA: Barkov puts Panthers on top late in the 3rd

4/2/16: Aleksander Barkov redirects a shot from Aaron Ekblad through the legs of Mike Condon to give the Panthers a late 4-3 lead

 

Aleksander Barkov scored his second goal of the game with 28.9 seconds remaining, and the Florida Panthers rallied from down three to defeat the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 at BB&T Center on Saturday to remain in first place in the Atlantic Division.

Barkov, who had two assists, scored the game-winner when he deflected Aaron Ekblad's shot from the right point past Montreal goalie Mike Condon.

Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo made 24 saves.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-beat-canadiens/c-280092156?tid=280055806

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Lightning defeat Devils to keep pace in Atlantic

 

But Tampa Bay captain Stamkos out 1-3 months

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

10:15 AM

TAMPA -- Brian Boyle scored a power-play goal with 8:28 remaining in the third period to help the Tampa Bay Lightning defeat the New Jersey Devils 3-1 at Amalie Arena on Saturday.

Victor Hedman and Nikita Kucherov scored for the Lightning (45-28-5), who moved closer to a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and remained two points behind the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division. Florida defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Saturday.

After the game, it was announced that Lightning captain Steven Stamkos, who did not play, will be out 1-3 months. He needs surgery for a blood clot in his arm.

Boyle's goal came after the Devils were called for too many men on the ice. Nikita Nesterov put a shot on goal from the point, and Boyle, in front of the net, fought for the rebound and scored past goalie Cory Schneider.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/lightning-defeat-devils-atlantic/c-280092716?tid=280055804

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Red Wings win, take third place in Atlantic

 

Hold off Maple Leafs to grab last playoff spot in division

 

by Mike Brophy / NHL.com Correspondent

11:16 AM

TORONTO -- The Detroit Red Wings moved into third place in the Atlantic Division by holding off the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 at Air Canada Centre on Saturday.

The Red Wings (40-28-11) won for the second time in as many nights to move one point ahead of the Boston Bruins, who have two games in hand. Detroit is attempting to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 25th consecutive season.

Brad Richards and Mike Green scored in the first period for Detroit, and defenseman Kyle Quincey's goal 3:59 into the third period proved to be the game-winner. Jimmy Howard made 32 saves.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/detroit-red-wings-defeat-toronto-maple-leafs/c-280090626?tid=280055798

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Jordie Benn's late goal leads Stars past Kings

 

Dallas coach Lindy Ruff gets 700th career win

 

by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent

8:16 AM

Jo. Benn's go-ahead goal DAL@LAK: Jo. Benn's one-timer deflects past Quick

4/2/16: Jordie Benn drills a one-timer from the left point that deflects off a defender's stick and in for a go-ahead goal in the 3rd

LOS ANGELES -- Jordie Benn scored the game-winning goal with under five minutes left and Kari Lehtonen made 24 saves to help the Dallas Stars defeat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 and give Stars coach Lindy Ruff his 700th career win at Staples Center on Saturday.

"It means I've been around a long time," said Ruff, who began his head coaching career with the Buffalo Sabres in 1997 and joined the Stars in 2013. "I'm looking forward to the next 700."

It was a playoff-type atmosphere between teams that may eventually face one another in the postseason. The Kings held a lead twice but the Stars used their speed and net presence to rally.

"Those games, we've got to get used to them now," Jordie Benn said. "They push pretty hard, they've got some heavy guys. If we can weather the storm and weather them coming at us like that, we can use our speed and come out like we did tonight."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/dallas-stars-defeat-los-angeles-kings-recap/c-280086128?tid=280055692

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Simmonds scores twice in Flyers win

 

Philadelphia defeats Ottawa to maintain second wild card

 

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

3:53 AM

Simmonds' fantastic deflection OTT@PHI: Simmonds opens the scoring with a PPG

4/2/16: Wayne Simmonds makes a perfect tip on Jakub Voracek's pass that gets by Andrew Hammond, putting the Flyers up 1-0 off the power play

 

PHILADELPHIA -- Simpler proved better for the Philadelphia Flyers and their top power-play unit Saturday.

Led by two goals and an assist from Wayne Simmonds, the Flyers' top man-advantage group scored each of Philadelphia's goals in a 3-2 win against the Ottawa Senators at Wells Fargo Center.

Sean Couturier scored, and Brayden Schenn and Jakub Voracek each had two assists. Steve Mason made 33 saves for Philadelphia (39-25-13), which won its third straight.

Mike Hoffman had a goal and an assist for Ottawa (36-34-9), and Mika Zibanejad scored. Andrew Hammond made 33 saves.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/flyers-defeat-senators-3-2/c-280082204?tid=280055576

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Penguins shut out Islanders, clinch playoff berth

 

Pittsburgh qualifes for 10th straight postseason

 

by David Satriano @davidsatriano / NHL.com Staff Writer

5:17 AM

NEW YORK -- Matt Murray picked a pretty good time for his first NHL shutout.

Murray made 24 saves in a 5-0 win against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center on Saturday to help the Penguins clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the 10th straight season.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-clinch-playoff-berth/c-280082322?tid=280055468

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Sharks come back to defeat Predators in shootout

 

Hertl scores twice in third period, helps San Jose erase 2-0 deficit

 

by Robby Stanley / NHL.com Correspondent

11:49 AM

Hertl deflects a shot to tie it SJS@NSH: Hertl's tip-in ties game in the 3rd period

4/2/16: Tomas Hertl deflects Brent Burns' shot past Carter Hutton to tie the game at 2 in the 3rd period

 

NASHVILLE - Logan Couture's goal in the first round of the shootout gave the San Jose Sharks a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday.

San Jose trailed 2-0 heading into the third period and forward Tomas Hertl scored twice to force overtime.

Hertl made it 2-1 at 2:19 on a rebound from the slot. Forward Joe Pavelski took the original shot that was blocked in front, and Hertl was able to collect the rebound and shoot it past Predators goaltender Carter Hutton for his 20th goal.

"I was for sure happy," Hertl said. "It was a big goal for us because it keeps [momentum] moving after we [got] many chances. It was a great play by [sharks forward Joe Thornton] and [Pavelski], and I just finished it."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-beat-predators/c-280093290?tid=280056240

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Coyotes shut out Capitals in home finale

 

Smith makes 31 saves, Doan triggers three-goal third period

 

by Jerry Brown / NHL.com Correspondent

12:59 PM

Smith flashes leather on Ovechkin WSH@ARI: Smith robs Ovechkin with the glove

4/2/16: Alex Ovechkin elects to shoot on a two-on-one, but his wicked wrist shot is stopped by Mike Smith's smooth glove save in the 2nd

 

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Mike Smith made 31 saves, and Shane Doan and Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored 27 seconds apart early in the third period to help the Arizona Coyotes to a 3-0 win against the Washington Capitals at Gila River Arena on Saturday.

It was Smith third shutout of the season and the 30th of his career. He has two shutouts in seven games since returning from a lower-body injury on March 12. He's allowed nine goals on 234 shots during that span for a .962 save percentage.

The Coyotes, playing their final home game of the season, had the first six shots of the third period before Doan deflected Max Domi's floating shot past Washington goalie Philipp Grubauer at 5:18 for his 27th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.

Alex Tanguay set up Ekman-Larsson at the point for a shot that deflected off the stick of Washington's T.J. Oshie and bounced past Grubauer at 5:45, putting Arizona up 2-0. It was Ekman-Larsson's 21st goal, two shy of his career high.

Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Dmitry Orlov each hit the post in the third period before Brad Richardson scored his 10th of the season at 13:58.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/arizona-coyotes-defeat-washington-capitals/c-280097990?tid=280056244

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Flames shut out Oilers in final visit to Rexall Place

 

Ortio makes 28 saves, Gaudreau, Backlund score two goals

 

by Derek Van Diest / NHL.com Correspondent

12:12 PM

Gaudreau's second goal of game CGY@EDM: Gaudreau slips the puck between the posts

4/2/16: Johnny Gaudreau squeezes Joe Colborne's feed past Cam Talbot, extending the Flames' lead to four goals in the 3rd

 

EDMONTON -- Joni Ortio made 28 saves, and the Calgary Flames defeated the Edmonton Oilers 5-0 in their final visit to Rexall Place on Saturday.

Mikael Backlund and Johnny Gaudreau each scored twice, and Joe Colborne had a goal for Calgary (33-40-6), which won for the first time in three games.

The Flames won five of their final six games at Rexall Place. The Oilers will begin playing in a new arena next season.

Cam Talbot made 30 saves for the Oilers (30-43-7), who have lost three in a row and were shut out for the eighth time this season, fifth at home.

Backlund opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal at 3:51 of the first period. The Flames center got to a bouncing puck in front of Talbot and batted it into the net.

A minute before Backlund's goal, Oilers center Anton Lander had a scoring chance on a set-up from Zack Kassian from the end boards. Kassian found Lander in front, but Ortio made an outstanding glove save.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/calgary-flames-shut-out-edmonton-oilers/c-280097240?tid=280056454

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Rookie goalie Murray helps Penguins defeat Flyers

 

Makes 28 saves in second of back-to-back starts; Pittsburgh wins sixth straight

 

by Wes Crosby / NHL.com Correspondent

39 minutes ago

PITTSBURGH -- In two games without Marc-Andre Fleury, rookie goalie Matthew Murray has helped the Pittsburgh Penguins continue to win and build confidence.

Murray made 28 saves in the Penguins' 6-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at Consol Energy Center on Sunday.

A day earlier, Murray, 21, made 24 saves in his first career shutout, a 5-0 win against the New York Islanders, hours after the Penguins announced Fleury would miss an undetermined amount of time with a concussion.

"I think it's just a little bit more physical in this league," said Murray, who has won his past five starts and is 7-2-1 in his NHL career. "There's a lot more traffic and a lot of times, you can have a little bit of contact in front of the net, or whatever it may be, so in that regard, I think physically, it can be a little bit more tiring in this league. I thought I handled it fairly well … I was pretty happy with how I played."

The Penguins (46-25-8, 100 points) are second in the Metropolitan Division, five points ahead of the New York Rangers, after winning 12 of their past 13 games. They are on their second six-game winning streak in the past month.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-flyers/c-280107424?tid=280077378

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Kane, Panarin lead Blackhawks past Bruins

 

Chicago defeats Boston for Joel Quenneville's 800th win

 

by Brian Hedger / NHL.com Correspondent

3:40 AM

CHICAGO -- Led by Patrick Kane's hat trick and four points, the Chicago Blackhawks scored just enough to hold off a strong comeback effort by the Boston Bruins at United Center on Sunday.

The Blackhawks (46-26-7) won 6-4 to give coach Joel Quenneville his 800th career NHL win, despite the Bruins scoring four straight goals between the end of the second period and first 10 minutes of the third.

Boston (41-30-8) got goals from David Pastrnak and Patrice Bergeron 11 seconds apart in the final 15 seconds of the second, before Bergeron and Brad Marchand scored in the third to add some drama to the finish.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-defeat-boston-bruins/c-280104482?tid=280077374

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Wild miss clance to clinch playoff berth

 

Minnesota loses to Jets, remains five points ahead of Avalanche for second wild card

 

by Patrick Williams / NHL.com Correspondent

10:55 AM

Copp splits defense and scores MIN@WPG: Copp uses pretty move to beat Dubnyk

4/3/16: Andrew Copp takes the puck in the neutral zone, splits the defense and beats Devan Dubnyk on the backhand, giving the Jets a 3-1 lead

 

WINNIPEG -- The Minnesota Wild missed an opportunity to clinch a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing 5-1 to the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre on Sunday.

A win would have put Minnesota in the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season because the Colorado Avalanche lost 5-1 to the St. Louis Blues. The Wild remain five points ahead of the Avalanche for the second wild card from the Western Conference, with Colorado having one game in hand.

The Wild (38-31-11) will have another chance to clinch a berth when they host the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. They have lost three games in a row following a six-game winning streak.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-jets-defeat-minnesota-wild/c-280110728?tid=280077384

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Ducks score two shorthanded goals, defeat Stars

 

Gibson makes 24 saves, Anaheim back in first place in Pacific Division

 

by Abbey Mastracco / NHL.com Correspondent

11:57 AM

Kesler scores Ducks' second SHG DAL@ANA: Kesler scores a SHG 10 seconds into the 3rd

4/3/16: Jakob Silfverberg creates a turnover and finds Ryan Kesler in front, who puts it home for the Ducks' second shorthanded goal

ANAHEIM -- Two shorthanded goals and John Gibson's 24 saves helped the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars at Honda Center on Sunday.

The Ducks (44-24-10, 98 points) are one point ahead of the Los Angeles Kings for first place in the Pacific Division.

The Stars (48-23-9, 105 points) failed to clinch the Central Division and the top seed in the Western Conference. The St. Louis Blues trail the Stars by two points after their 5-1 win at the Colorado Avalanche.

It was the first time the Ducks scored more than one shorthanded goal in a game since March 3, 2015, at the Arizona Coyotes.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/ducks-defeat-stars/c-280111946?tid=280077388

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Blues defeat Avalanche, lose goalie

 

Jake Allen injured in first period, replaced by Anders Nilsson

 

by Rick Sadowski / NHL.com Correspondent

12:38 PM

DENVER -- The St. Louis Blues cruised to a 5-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on Sunday, but lost goalie Jake Allen to an undisclosed injury in the first period.

Allen stopped all 11 shots he faced, and was replaced by Anders Nilsson to begin the second period.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said he didn't know what the injury is or how serious it is.

"I'm not sure," he said. "We'll know a little bit more on Jake [Monday]. Hopefully it's day to day."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-defeat-colorado-avalanche/c-280110740?tid=280077380

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Tavares leads Islanders past Lightning

 

New York captain gets goal, two assists in win against Tampa Bay

 

by Jon Lane @JonLaneNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer

April 5th, 2016

NEW YORK -- New York Islanders coach Jack Capuano didn't hold back prior to the morning skate Monday. He questioned the Islanders' work ethic in light of a loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday while calling out struggling forwards Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Josh Bailey.

The Islanders responded Monday night at Barlcays Center with emphatic 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning powered by a goal and two assists from captain John Tavares, and three goals in a 5:15 span of the second period.

It may not have been Capuano's intent to embarrass anyone, but the message was received following the 5-0 loss Saturday. Five different players scored against the Lightning and 10 earned a point for the Islanders (43-26-9), who hold a four-point lead over the Philadelphia Flyers for the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-defeat-tampa-bay-lightning/c-280124984?tid=280077408

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Rangers clinch playoff berth, defeat Blue Jackets

 

New York advances to sixth straight postseason; McDonagh left after first period with undisclosed injury

 

by Craig Merz / NHL.com Correspondent

April 5th, 2016

Rangers clinch playoff berth NYR@CBJ: Rangers win to clinch playoff berth

4/4/16: The Rangers celebrate clinching their sixth straight playoff berth as the clock winds down in a 4-2 victory against the Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS -- The New York Rangers had no time or reason to do much celebrating after a 4-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Monday clinched a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

The status of captain Ryan McDonagh for the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden is in question.

The defenseman did not play the final two periods after he blocked a shot by Brandon Dubinsky at the end of a Columbus power play with five minutes left in the first period. The shot appeared to hit him in the hand or arm, but Rangers coach Alain Vigneault did not provide many details.

"At this time he'll be reevaluated tomorrow," Vigneault said. "We're in that phase here where we're 'upper-body,' 'lower-body,' so we're calling it 'an upper-body.'"

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/rangers-clinch-playoff-berth-against-blue-jackets/c-280124974?tid=280077752

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Panthers hang on to defeat Maple Leafs

 

Rookie Grimaldi scores two goals to help Florida build on Atlantic lead

 

by Mike Brophy / NHL.com Correspondent

April 5th, 2016

Grimaldi scores two in the 2nd FLA@TOR: Grimaldi scores two in under three minutes

4/4/16: Rocco Grimaldi scores his second and third goals of the season in the 2nd period just two minutes and 40 seconds apart

TORONTO -- The Florida Panthers took another step toward winning the Atlantic Division with a 4-3 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on Monday.

The win was the 700th in Panthers history, gave them 99 points this season to pass their previous high of 98 in 1999-2000, and clinched home-ice advantage in the Eastern Conference First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Rookie forward Rocco Grimaldi had two goals for Florida (45-25-9), and Nick Bjugstad and Aleksander Barkov also scored. Al Montoya made 22 saves for his 12th win of the season.

The Panthers, who have won three straight games, lead the Tampa Bay Lightning by four points for first place in the Atlantic. The Lightning lost 5-2 at the New York Islanders on Monday. Florida and Tampa Bay each has three games remaining.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/panthers-defeat-maple-leafs/c-280125664?tid=280077756

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Blues rally to defeat Coyotes

 

St. Louis moves into first-place tie in Central

 

by Louie Korac / NHL.com Correspondent

April 5th, 2016

Brodziak's shorthanded goal ARI@STL: Brodziak ties game with shorthanded goal

4/4/16: Kyle Brodziak beaks away from the defender for a breakaway, flring the puck top-shelf for a shorthanded goal to even the game at 2

ST. LOUIS -- Despite so many key components missing throughout the season on a roster ravaged by injuries, the St. Louis Blues have given themselves a chance at winning a second straight Central Division title.

The Blues pulled into a tie for first when they overcame a two-goal deficit by scoring five unanswered goals and defeated the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 at Scottrade Center on Monday.

The Blues (48-23-9) tied the Dallas Stars with 105 points and two games remaining for each. St. Louis leads the Chicago Blackhawks by six points for second place.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/st-louis-blues-defeat-arizona-coyotes/c-280127400?tid=280077758

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Miller makes 40 saves, Canucks top Kings

 

Los Angeles blows lead, fails to move back into first in Pacific

 

by Kevin Woodley / NHL.com Correspondent

April 5th, 2016

VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Canucks are focused on improving their structure and building some momentum for next season, and it's been paying off.

Rookie Jared McCann scored the go-ahead goal on a breakaway with 33 seconds left in the second period, and Ryan Miller made 20 of his 40 saves in the third period to help the Canucks hold on for a 3-2 win against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena on Monday.

Emerson Etem scored with 13 seconds left in the first period, and Jannik Hansen tied it on a 5-on-3 power play for Vancouver (30-36-13), which has won three straight games for the first time this season.

"We're happy with the wins, but we know where we stand," said Miller, who made five of his 20 third-period saves on a Kings power play with four minutes left. "We know it's not good enough and we're on the outside looking in. At least on my part, I feel like there's a foundation to be laid. You've got to play the right way. We've played a little bit better within the system and the structure and we got rewarded for it."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/canucks-defeat-kings/c-280129922?tid=280077762

Edited April 5, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

[Guns of the Patriots]

Credits NHL.com

 

Bruins drop crucial point in loss to Hurricanes

 

Boston defeated in shootout, unable to pass Detroit in Atlantic

 

by Matt Kalman / NHL.com Correspondent

April 6th, 2016

BOSTON -- Rookie defenseman Noah Hanifin scored in the fifth round of the shootout, and Jaccob Slavin scored his first goal in 52 games to help the Carolina Hurricanes defeat the Boston Bruins 2-1 at TD Garden on Tuesday.

The point gave the Bruins (41-30-9) a tie for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot. They are even with the Philadelphia Flyers for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference and with the Detroit Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division; each has 91 points. But Philadelphia has four games left, Detroit has three, and Boston has two.

The Red Wings and Flyers play Wednesday, and the Bruins host the Red Wings on Thursday.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/bruins-lose-to-hurricanes-atlantic-division-wild-card/c-280142548?tid=280114532

Edited April 6, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots