UNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins have hopped over the New York Rangers for second place in the NHL’s Metropolitan Division, six points behind Carolina.
Mark Friedman’s first goal in 10 months broke open a tie game early in the third period of the Pens’ 5-2 win over the Golden Knights. Bryan Rust added his 20th goal of the season with about five minutes remaining, a power-play tally that made it 4-2.
Rust and Jeff Carter each had a goal and an assist to support Tristan Jarry, who turned back 40 shots.
Vegas entered the final 20 minutes tied 2-2 despite outshooting the Pens, 22-7 in the second period.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— The Capitals pulled out a 4-3 win over the Canucks on Lars Eller’s overtime goal. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored three goals for his second career hat trick and Alex Ovechkin had two assists as Washington moved to 4-0-1 in its last five games.
— The Blue Jackets beat the Wild, 3-2 as Yegor Chinakhov scored the shootout winner after Zach Werenski tied the game with 30.4 seconds left in regulation. Chinakov also scored in the first period, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 36 shots for Columbus.
— Josh Bailey scored twice and Brock Nelson added a goal and an assist as the Islanders beat the Jets, 5-2. Anders Lee and Cal Clutterbuck also scored and Barry Trotz became the third coach in NHL history reach 900 wins, joining Scotty Bowman and Joel Quenneville.
Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen out indefinitely with mono
DALLAS (AP) — Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.
The loss of their top defender comes with the Stars moving up in the standings as they chase a wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoffs.
Heiskanen has missed the past three games with had been described as a non-COVID-19 illness.
Meanwhile, the Stars have signed forward Joe Pavelski to a $5.5 million, one-year contract extension for the 2022-23 season. The 37-year-old Pavelski leads the Stars with 37 assists and 59 points, and is third with 22 goals this season.
