N H L - National Hockey League

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Huberdeau, Panthers defeat Devils

 

Forward scores 17th, 18th goals; Florida moves into first place in division

 

by Alain Poupart / NHL.com Correspondent

10:41 AM

SUNRISE, Fla. -- The Florida Panthers' top line came up big Thursday to help the team move closer to a playoff berth.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice, Aleksander Barkov had a goal and Jaromir Jagr had two assists when the Panthers defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-2 at BB&T Center.

"They were outstanding," Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. "(Huberdeau) had a couple of great goals. They really played well. They're our leaders and they took control tonight."

The Panthers (43-25-9) tied the franchise record for victories in a season and regained first place in the Atlantic Division with 95 points, two more than the Tampa Bay Lightning, who lost 3-0 at home Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-jersey-devils-florida-panthers-recap/c-280043466?tid=280007524

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Lightning shut out by Canadiens, fall from first

 

Tampa Bay drops behind Florida in Atlantic after Condon makes 26 saves

 

by Corey Long / NHL.com Correspondent

10:22 AM

TAMPA -- Mike Condon made 26 saves for his first NHL shutout, giving the Montreal Canadiens a 3-0 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Thursday.

Tampa Bay (44-28-5) fell to second place in the Atlantic Division, two points behind the Florida Panthers, who defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1 on Thursday.

"The guys are going to have to be held accountable a little bit here," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. "We couldn't score goals. We had three shots in the third period and that just can't happen for a team that's making to push to get into the [stanley Cup Playoffs]."

David Desharnais, Torrey Mitchell and Phillip Danault scored for the Canadiens (36-36-6), who are 3-0-0 against the Lightning this season. The teams play in their regular-season finale April 9.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/canadiens-shut-out-lightning-recap/c-280044324?tid=280007812

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Third-period rally helps Hurricanes top Rangers

 

New York fails to clinch playoff berth, falls to third place in division

 

by Kurt Dusterberg / NHL.com Correspondent

11:58 AM

RALEIGH, N.C. -- On a night when PNC Arena was alive with tributes and sentiments for former Carolina Hurricanes captain Eric Staal, his ex-teammates continued their ascent toward a promising future.

Jeff Skinner and Victor Rask scored in the third period to lift the Hurricanes to a 4-3 come-from-behind win against the New York Rangers on Thursday.

With the loss, the Rangers (43-25-9) failed to clinch a berth into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference.

The Rangers had defeated the Hurricanes (34-28-16) in the three previous games this season, but Carolina erased two one-goal deficits, getting key contributions from a fourth line comprised of players who have spent nearly all season in Charlotte of the American Hockey League.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-carolina-hurricanes-recap/c-280041568?tid=280007502

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Kessel, Letang lift Penguins past Predators

 

Forward scores twice, D-man has goal, assist in Pittsburgh's fourth straight win

 

by Wes Crosby / NHL.com Correspondent

11:04 AM

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins capped their surge through March with a 5-2 win against the Nashville Predators that has them in second place in the Metropolitan Division.

Phil Kessel scored twice, and Kris Letang and Nick Bonino each had a goal and an assist at Consol Energy Center on Thursday.

Kessel opened the scoring following an impressive series of passes by the Penguins.

Bonino retrieved the puck just inside the blue line along the far wall before sending a cross-ice pass to Justin Schultz with Bonino's back to the play and Predators defenseman Petter Granberg barreling toward him. Schultz immediately sent a no-look pass by a sliding Paul Gaustad and behind Mattias Ekholm to Kessel, who shot into an open net with goalie Pekka Rinne diving to recover 3:06 into the first period.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-defeat-predators/c-280041570?tid=280007688

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Islanders boost playoff chances with win

 

Defeat Blue Jackets, are four points ahead of Flyers for first wild card

 

by John Kreiser @jkreiser7713 / NHL.com Managing Editor

10:58 AM

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders have made themselves right at home in their first season at Barclays Center.

Anders Lee scored a tie-breaking power-play goal 5:23 into the third period, and the Islanders moved two points closer to the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 4-3 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

After Columbus tied the game 3-3 on a goal by Boone Jenner 37 seconds into the third period, Lee put the Islanders back in front with his 14th goal of the season and second in as many games. With defenseman David Savard off for tripping, Johnny Boychuk's point shot missed the net but caromed back into the crease, where it hit Lee's skate and slid into the net.

It was one of two goals scored by the Islanders after shots that missed the net hit the lively end boards and kicked back into prime scoring position.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-columbus-blue-jackets-recap/c-280042522?tid=280007686

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Brothers combine to lift Sabres past Maple Leafs

 

Cal O'Reilly scores, with assist to Ryan, in Buffalo victory

 

by Joe Yerdon / NHL.com Correspondent

9:58 AM

BUFFALO -- It was a special night for Buffalo Sabres forwards Cal O'Reilly and Ryan O'Reilly against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

The brothers combined for the Sabres' second goal in a 4-1 win against the Maple Leafs at First Niagara Center.

Cal O'Reilly gave the Sabres a 2-0 lead with a power-play goal with 18.1 seconds left in the first period. With Maple Leafs defenseman Frank Corrado in the penalty box for interference, O'Reilly received a pass from Jack Eichel in the slot and took a shot that beat Maple Leafs goalie Garret Sparks over his right shoulder.

"My brother [Ryan] made a good play there along the wall to make a no-looker to me and then Jack was open on the far side," Cal O'Reilly said. "I looked and then he gave it back to me and opened everything up. I had lots of time to take that and look at the net and shoot."

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/sabres-maple-leafs-recap/c-280042942?tid=280007500

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Kings shut out Flames, back in first in Pacific

 

Carter scores twice, Quick makes 21 saves; Los Angeles vaults Ducks in division

 

by Curtis Zupke / NHL.com Correspondent

35 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES -- Jeff Carter scored two goals and Jonathan Quick made 21 saves when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Calgary Flames, 3-0, at Staples Center on Thursday.

The Kings (46-26-5) moved into first place in the Pacific Division with 97 points and tied the franchise single-season record with their 46th win, achieved during their Stanley Cup championship 2013-14 season.

Quick's 42nd career shutout was also his 39th win to match his own franchise single-season record set in 2009-10.

The Flames (32-40-6) took their second loss in as many nights following an 8-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday. Calgary had a goal disallowed four minutes into the second period on goalie interference by Joe Colborne.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/los-angeles-kings-defeat-calgary-flames-recap/c-280053712?tid=280007528

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Miller makes 32 saves, Canucks top Sharks

 

Hansen scores winner late in third, Vancouver ends nine-game losing streak

 

by Eric Gilmore / NHL.com Correspondent

1:11 PM

SAN JOSE -- Jannik Hansen scored the go-ahead goal with 5:03 remaining, and the Vancouver Canucks ended their nine-game losing streak and damaged the San Jose Sharks' slim hopes of winning the Pacific Division with a 4-2 victory at SAP Center on Thursday.

Hansen scored his 20th goal on a breakaway after a San Jose turnover, beating goalie Martin Jones with a slap shot from the right circle.

Markus Granlund scored an empty-net goal with 20.8 seconds left for Vancouver (28-36-13).

The Sharks (43-29-6), who clinched a Stanley Cup Playoff berth Tuesday, trail the first-place Los Angeles Kings by five points and the Anaheim Ducks by four in the Pacific. The Kings defeated the Calgary Flames 3-0 at Staples Center. San Jose has four games remaining, Los Angeles has five, and Anaheim has six.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/canucks-defeat-sharks/c-280053928?tid=280007816

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Sheahan leads Red Wings past Wild

 

Forward has a goal and an assist, helps Detroit tie Flyers for second Eastern wild card

 

by Paul Harris / NHL.com Correspondent

11:22 AM

DETROIT - Riley Sheahan had a goal and an assist, and the Detroit Red Wings held on for a desperately needed 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild at Joe Louis Arena on Friday.

The Red Wings tied the Philadelphia Flyers, who have two games in hand, for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference and remain one point behind the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division. Boston defeated St. Louis 6-5 Friday.

"I think for the last few years this is the way it's been we've had to battle our way into the playoffs and it's no different this year," said Red Wings forward Gustav Nyquist, who had an assist. "We know we control our own fate. We still have them (Bruins, next Thursday in Boston). As long as we keep winning we're good."

Minnesota is five points ahead of the Colorado Avalanche for the second wild card from the Western Conference; the Avalanche, who lost to the Washington Capitals 4-2, have one game in hand. The Wild trail the Nashville Predators by four points for the first wild card.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/minnesota-wild-detroit-red-wings-recap/c-280070732?tid=280015142

Edited April 2, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots

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Bruins hold off Blues in wild one

 

Boston answers Detroit in Atlantic race; St. Louis fails to gain in Central

 

by Louie Korac / NHL.com Correspondent

12:13 PM

Bergeron's power-play goal BOS@STL: Bergeron buries home loose puck for PPG

4/1/16: After Torey Krug shoots the puck wide, it bounces to Patrice Bergeron, who shoots and scores to give the Bruins a 6-4 lead

 

ST. LOUIS -- David Krejci had two goals and two assists for the playoff-chasing Boston Bruins in a 6-5 win against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center on Friday.

Boston maintained a one-point lead over the Detroit Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division. Detroit completed a 3-2 win against the Minnesota Wild as the Blues were threatening to tie the Bruins in the third period.

"It was kind of nerve-wracking at the end of the game, but we got the job done, and at this point of the season that's all that matters," Krejci said. "Must win. I think we played with desperation and showed it tonight from the beginning."

Patrice Bergeron scored his 30th goal, Boston's second power-play goal, with 3:24 remaining to make it 6-4 on a shot from the slot. St. Louis challenged for goalie interference but the call on the ice was upheld after review.

 

https://www.nhl.com/news/bruins-defeat-blues-wild-card-playoffs-nhl/c-280072066?tid=280015144

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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

Edited April 3, 2016 by Guns of the Patriots