UNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins were able to regain sole possession of first place in the NHL’s East Division, while the Central Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes moved five points ahead of second-place Florida and Tampa Bay.
The Pens are two points ahead of the Capitals after Jeff Carter scored a career-high four goals in Pittsburgh’s 8-4 thumping of the Sabres. Carter beat Michael Houser three times in the game’s first 25 minutes for his first hat trick since March 28, 2018.
Jared McCann had a goal and two assists for the Pens.
The Hurricanes had to settle for a point after Alex DeBrincat tallied at 2:02 of overtime to give the Blackhawks a 2-1 win at Carolina. The Canes were on their way to a 1-0 victory until Riley Stillman’s redirect for his first NHL goal at 16:59 of the third.
Martin Necas scored a short-handed goal for the Hurricanes, who had won five straight as they try to clinch the Presidents’ Trophy.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— The Bruins are within four points of the Penguins with two games in hand after Patrice Bergeron scored for the fourth straight game to help Boston down the Rangers, 4-0. Jeremy Swayman needed to stop only 15 shots for his second career shutout. Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy and Brandon Carlo also scored in the Bruins’ fifth win in six games.
— The Devils won for the fifth time in six games as Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 32 shots in a 2-1 win over the Islanders. Michael McLeod scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period. Anthony Beauvillier scored for the Islanders, whose three-game losing streak likely will leave them fourth in the East Division by season’s end.
— Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading 40th goal of the season to help the Maple Leafs beat the Canadiens, 5-2. Matthews has reached the plateau in 49 games, second only to Frank Mahovlich among the fastest in Leafs history. Mitch Marner and John Tavares each had a goal and an assist for Toronto, which is 6-2-1 against Montreal this season.
— Travis Hamonic, Nils Hoglander and Jayce Hawryluk each had a goal and an assist as the Canucks doubled up the Oilers, 6-3 to end a six-game slide. Thatcher Demko made 39 saves, including a stop on a penalty shot by Connor McDavid. Leon Draisaitl scored twice and Connor McDavid had three assists as the Edmonton captain approaches 100 points.
