Washington Capitals 5-3 Chicago Blackhawks
The Washington Capitals continued their pursuit of clinching top spot in the Eastern Conference by topping bottom dwellers Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. Fans in the nation's capital did not have to wait long to start celebrating, as team captain Alex Ovechkin put them ahead a litle less than four minutes in. That goal put the 'Gr8' two goals off Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record.
Later on in the period, Tyler Bertuzzi tied things up, before the Blackhawks opened the second period with a goal from Frank Nazar 31 seconds in. Martin Fehervary made it 2-2, only for the Caps to find themselves behind again 10 seconds later via Philipp Kurashev.
It would be in the third period where the home team finally turned things around for good. Dylan Strome restored parity 3:46 in on a power play, before Ovechkin added a second two and a half minutes later. That goal saw the 39-year-old tie Gretzky's goal record on 894. While he would not complete his hat-trick and own the record outright, Ryan Leonard added an empty net goal less than two minutes to play to give Washington the victory.
That was the Capitals' 49th win on the season as they they move 11 points clear atop the conference. As for Chicago, it was their fifth reverse in a row and 12th in their last 13.
Detroit Red Wings 5-3 Carolina Hurricanes
Although time is running out to wrap up a playoff spot, the Detroit Red Wings kept their hopes alive with a 5-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Two goals in 26 seconds midway through the opening period put the hosts in a great spot. Ben Chiarot and Marco Kasper got the markers to give the Red Wings a 2-0 advantage going into intermission.
Jackson Blake brought the Hurricanes into the game two minutes into the second period, before the Red Wings did another two-goal haul in less than 30 seconds. This came at about the same time as the first, as Patrik Kane and Michael Rasmussen put them up 4-1. Eric Robinson added a second for Carolina later on in the period to give his team hope. Brent Burns cut the deficit to one with 7:24 left in regulation. Unfortunately for them, they could not find a leveller. Alex DeBrincat added a fifth just before the game ended.
It is two wins in their last three for Detroit, who are now four points out of the last playoff spot in the East. For the Canes, who saw their three-game winning streak come to its end, they stay second.
New York Islanders 3-1 Minnesota Wild
The New York Islanders also maintained their hopes of a postseason berth with a 3-1 victory over Minnesota Wild. A comeback was needed from the home team though, as Mats Zuccarello put the Wild in front a minute and 42 seconds into the second period. There was no panic from the Islanders though, as they responded 36 seconds later thanks to Casey Cizikas. Simon Holmstrom made it 2-1 a couple of minutes later to complete the comeback.
Minnesota ended the game with a few more shot than their opponents - 45 to 42 - including 14 in the final period. However, despite huffing and puffing, they could not a second goal to tie things up. Noah Dobson had converted a power play early in the final period as New York held on for a vital win.
Ending a six-game losing slide, the Islanders are back in it for a playoff place, sitting five points back in the East. Things might not be as dire for the Wild - who remain five points ahead of the Calgary Flames in eighth spot in the West - but they could have used another win to put further distance between themselves and those below them.