The BJs win the 1st game of this home-away series 4-3 over the Sabres in reg time. Both goalies played well, Lehner faced 43 shots and Bobrovsky saw 35 shots. The difference was that the BJs scored 2 PPGs. Boone Jenner scored the GWG with 5:07 left in the 3rd period. The win for Columbus puts them just 3 points back of the Capitals for 1st place overall and in the eastern conf. The Sabres have faded in the playoff hunt and remain 9 points back of the 8th place Islanders.
The Penguins are also 3 points back of Capitals as the Pens defeat the Oilers 3-2 in the SO. The Penguins did lead 2-0 after 1 period and the Oilers scored a goal in the 2nd and 3rd periods to tie it up. Fleury was excellent in net as he faced 42 shots and the Oilers had the edge in shots for the last 2 periods, 32-14.
The Blues 4-3 reg win over the Ducks had early and late goals for St. Louis. Tarasenko scored just 12 seconds into the game, Stastny gets a goal 25 seconds into the 3rd period, and Edmundson scored the GWG with 20 seconds left. Jake Allen assisted on the winner.
The Wild win 7-4 against the Panthers and that puts the Wild 3 points up on the Bhawks for 1st place in the western conf. and 3 points back of the Capitals for 1st overall. Eric Staal had a 3 point night and Dubnyk was in net for the 3rd period as he came on in relief of Kuemper. The cats remain 6 back of the Islanders for the final playoff spot.
The Red Wings win as they upset the Bhawks 4-2. Tatar and Nyquist each have 3 points in the victory. Chicago with the opening goal and then Detroit took over. It was the 1st time in nearly 3 months that Jimmy Howard was in net for the Red Wings as he returned from a knee injury.
