UNDATED (AP) — Just one point separates the top three teams in the NHL’s Central Division following Florida’s victory and losses by Tampa Bay and Carolina.
Carter Verhaeghe scored twice and Brett Connolly netted his 100th NHL goal as the Panthers dumped the Red Wings, 4-1. Jonathan Huberdeau also tallied and Sergei Bobrovsky made 35 saves in Florida’s third win in a row.
The Panthers moved into a first-place tie with the Lightning at 50 points, one ahead of the Hurricanes.
The Bolts have their first three-game pointless streak of the season following a 3-1 loss to the Blue Jackets. David Savard scored his first goal in two years to help Columbus snap a four-game winless streak.
Oliver Bjorkstrand and Cam Atkinson also scored for the Jackets to support Elvis Merzlikins, who stopped 37 shots.
Dylan Strome and Alex DeBrincat scored in a 3:33 span early in the second period to send the Blackhawks past the Hurricanes, 2-1. Kevin Lankinen made 31 saves and Chicago ended Carolina’s three-game winning streak. Andrei Svechnikov scored for Carolina, which fell to 11-2-2 in its last 15 games.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— Artemi Panarin had a goal and two assists while the Rangers scored five straight to beat the Capitals, 5-2. Kaapo Kakko, Adam Fox, Filip Chytil, and Pavel Buchnevich also scored for the Blueshirts, who prevented the Caps from expanding their two-point lead in the East. Igor Shesterkin made 30 saves as New York handed Washington just the third loss in its last 14 games.
— Charlie Coyle and David Pastrnak each scored in the shootout to cap the Bruins’ rally in a 5-4 triumph over the Devils. Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy, Nick Ritchie and Matt Grzelcyk scored in regulation for the Bruins, who rallied with two goals in the final 9:38 of the third period. Jaroslav Halak stopped 31 shots as the Bruins beat the Devils for just the second time in six games this season.
— Eeli Tolvanen scored at 1:29 of overtime to give the Predators a 3-2 victory over the Stars. Calle Jarnkrok had a goal and an assist as Nashville stretched its winning streak to a season-best six games. Juuse Saros stopped 33 shots in winning for the fourth consecutive start.
— Brendan Gallagher and Artturi Lehkonen each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens in a 4-0 shutout of the Oilers. Carey Price stopped 16 shots in his first shutout of the season and 49th of his career. Montreal was playing for the first time since March 20, two days before two Canadiens went on the COVID-19 list to force the postponement of four games.
