UNDATED (AP) — Igor Shesterkin stopped 38 shots for his second shutout of the season, and the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-0.
Mika Zibanejad took care of the offense, with his eighth career hat trick. Ryan Strome also scored.
New York was without star forward Artemi Panarin, who was placed in COVID-19 protocols before the game.
In other NHL action:
— Nico Hischier scored his second goal of the game with 2:04 left in overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals. Washington rallied late in regulation to force overtime, with Nic Dowd pulling the Capitals within a goal with 6:38 remaining and Conor Sheary tying it with 3:47 left.
— Evan Rodrigues and Bryan Rust both finished off hat tricks in the third period and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the San Jose Sharks 8-5 for their eighth straight win. The Pens built a 6-1 lead in the first period, but needed Rodrigues and Rust’s insurance goals after San Jose narrowed it to 6-5 with three goals in the final period.
— Erik Haula scored a tiebreaking goal in the second period and the Boston Bruins pulled away with three more in the third to beat the Detroit Red Wings 5-1. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves as Boston won for the second time in two days after six consecutive postponements due to COVID-19 outbreaks.
— The Colorado Avalanche rallied from two goals down past the Anaheim Ducks 4-2. Logan O’Connor scored a tiebreaking goal late in the third period, while Mikko Rantanen had a goal and two assists for the Avalanche. Colorado had not played since Dec. 16 due to COVID-19 cases on the team.
— Kyle Connor scored in overtime and the Winnipeg Jets held off the Vegas Golden Knights 5-4 in their return from a two-week hiatus. Mattias Janmark scored twice for Vegas in the third period, including a tying goal with 8.1 seconds left, but Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck improved to 4-1-1 career against the Golden Knights by stopping 42 shots.
— Johnny Gaudreau had a goal and two assists, and the Calgary Flames beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. Matthew Tkachuk scored for a third straight game. Chicago dropped its fourth straight.
Panthers’ Sam Bennett banned 3 games for hit to head
NEW YORK (AP) — Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett has been suspended three games without pay by the NHL for an illegal check to the head of Montreal Canadiens forward Cedric Paquette during a game Saturday.
Paquette took possession of the puck in front of his own net and turned up ice to make a pass when Bennett glided in and drove a shoulder into Paquette’s head. Paquette left with a neck injury and did not return.
