UNDATED (AP) — There’s now a three-way tie in the NHL’s East Division following wins by the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Islanders pulled even with the Capitals as Mat Barzal had a hat trick and two assists in an 8-4 romp over Washington. Jordan Eberle scored twice as the Isles improved to 14-1-2 at home and beat the Caps for the first time in four tries this season.
Mike Matheson scored a goal after a lengthy rush to highlight the Penguins’ fifth win in a row, 4-1 at Boston. Zach Aston-Reese, Jason Zucker and Jake Guentzel also scored as Pittsburgh improved to 11-2-1 in their last 14. Casey DeSmith stopped 30 shots in the Pens’ first win at Boston in 11 games since November 2014.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— The Panthers pulled out a 3-2 win over the Red Wings on Alex Wennberg’s goal in overtime. Frank Vatrano had a goal and an assist and Noel Acciari also scored a goal for the Panthers. Chris Driedger made 25 saves. Carter Verhaeghe recorded two assists and the Panthers won their fourth in a row to remain in a first-place tie with Tampa Bay in the East.
— The Lightning also picked up a 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets as Brayden Point scored twice, including the game-winner with 4:06 to play. Point’s game-winner came 66 seconds after Rookie Ross Colton knotted the score for the Bolts. Eric Robinson scored to give Columbus a one-goal lead with 9:06 remaining before the Lightning ended a three-game skid.
— Warren Foegele scored twice and Jesper Fast netted the game-winner with 29 seconds left as the Hurricanes beat the Blackhawks, 3-2 to stay within one point of the Lightning and Panthers. James Reimer made the last of his 22 saves on Dominik Kubalik with 40 seconds to play, clearing the path for Fast’s game-winner. Dylan Strome tied the game midway through the third period, but Chicago was unable to break a tie with Nashville for the final Central Division playoff slot.
— The Predators’ six-game winning streak is over after Anton Khudobin turned away 21 shots in the Stars’ 4-1 win at Nashville. Esa Lindell, Jason Robertson, Jamie Benn and Miro Heiskanen scored for Dallas, which snapped a three-game skid. Colton Sissons had the lone goal for the Predators.
— Kevin Fiala scored in the shootout to push the Wild past the Golden Knights, 3-2. Kirill Kaprizov and Jared Spurgeon tallied in regulation to back Cam Talbot, who stopped 35 shots in his best road game this season. Vegas netminder Robin Lehner had 35 saves but dropped to 3-0-1 with just six goals allowed since his return from a concussion.
— Mika Zibanejad one-timed in Artemi Panarin’s pass 4:32 into overtime to give the Rangers a 3-2 victory over the Sabres. Filip Chytil and Colin Blackwell also scored and Igor Shesterkin turned back 21 shots in the Rangers’ fifth win in seven games. Buffalo earned a point when Tage Thompson tied it with 4 seconds left in regulation.
— Phillip Danault and Brendan Gallagher each had a goal and an assist for the Canadiens in their third win in a row, 4-1 against the Senators. Paul Byron and Corey Perry provided the rest of the offense for Montreal, which is 2-0 since returning to action after a week off with two players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Jake Evans and Tomas Tatar each had two assists for the Habs.
