Columbus Blue Jackets 3-4 New York Rangers
The New York Rangers went to Columbus and picked up a crucial 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets. With Arthur Kaliyev's goal less than two minutes in, the visitors could not have started the game any better. Unfortunately for them, they would go into the first intermission behind, as Kent Johnson and Justin Danforth scored within a minute of each other. That came towards the latter stage of the period, putting the Blue Jackets in front.
Mika Zibanejad tied things up 6:38 into the second period, giving the Rangers level pegging in the match. However, Columbus reclaimed the lead through James Van Rimesdyk with 2:43 left in the frame. Despite falling behind for the second time, New York would not give in.
Less than two minutes into the final period, Will Cuylle brought the game to 3-3. Having doubled the number of shots the Blue Jackets in the final frame (20-10), it was hardly a surprise when the Rangers got their winner with less than two minutes left. It was Cuylle once again who put them back ahead. Vincent Trocheck assisted the forward in both goals.
In what is a very tight race for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers move up to 11th place. It leaves them three points and three spots behind the Detroit Red Wings - who lost 6-3 to the Tampa Bay Lightning - for the last spot. As for Columbus, remain in ninth spot, just a point behind the Red Wings.
Boston Bruins 3-4 Las Vegas Golden Knights
The Boston Bruins let a two-goal lead slip twice as they fell 4-3 to the Las Vegas Golden Knights at home. Brad Marchand put the home team in front after three minutes and 17 seconds. The lead was doubled later on, as Nikita Zadorov gave the Bruins an extra cushion early on.
The Golden Knights got on the board with a few minutes left in the opening period on a power play through Mark Stone. Most of the second period went by as the visitors tried to find their equaliser. With a little less than five minutes before intermisison, Morgan Geekie returned the Boston lead to two. It would not stay that way though, as Zach Whitecloud got it back to a one-goal deficit for Las Vegas.
Pavel Dorofeyev tied things up 4:54 into the final frame as Vegas finally got back on level terms. It would stay that way until Tomas Hertl made the most of a final play with 70 seconds left in the match. Hertl's game winner came just as the Golden Knights' man advantage was expiring. There was virtually no time left for the Bruins to get another goal as they succombed to defeat.
Vegas holds onto fourth spot in the Western Conference, though they are in a three-way tie for second spot. It was consecutive wins on consecutive nights for the Golden Knights. As for the Bruins, they are still on the outside looking in, sitting just a point back of the postseason spots in the East.