Florida Panthers 3-0 Los Angeles Kings
The Florida Panthers improved to 30-19-3 with a 3-0 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Kings. The game's opening goal came from Sam Bennett five minutes in. The Panthers dominated the first period, amassing 21 shots, almost half of their total for the clash.
After a scoreless second period, where both teams had 14 shots each, Florida added to their lead 4:43 into the final frame. Alexander Barkov capitalised on a power play to double the Panthers' lead. A third was added Matthew Tkachuk finished off the game with an open net goal in the final seconds to complete the victory. Despite 41 shots and five power plays, the Kings just could not get past Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Panthers are now up to fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, 10 points back of the lead. As for LA, they stay seventh in the West, only three points into the playoffs.
New Jersey Devils 5-0 Philadelphia Flyers
The New Jersey Devils had a dominant second period in their 5-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. The fans had to wait until 54 seconds into the second for the game's first goal through Ondrej Palat. Five and a half minutes Luke Hughes doubled the New Jersey lead.
Things got worse for the Flyers later on in the frame, as Nathan Bastian and Dawson Mercer scored a minute apart to make the score 4-0. That prompted a change in the Philadelphia goal, as Ivan Fedotov replaced Samuel Ersson. Two minutes into the final period, Hughes added his second to round out the scoring. Jake Allen kept a shutout as the Devils held on for a convincing win.
The Devils are now up to third place in the East, with this being their third win from their last four games. As for the Flyers, they are fourth from bottom, losing for the third time in their last fourth.
Toronto Maple Leafs 1-3 Minnesota Wild
The Toronto Maple Leafs' recent struggles continued in a 3-1 defeat at home to the Minnesota Wild. Marat Khusnutdinov scored seven minutes in to put the Wild on top. A power play marker from Jared Spurgeon later on in the period to double the guests' advantage.
No goals were scored in the second period despite a combined total of 35 shots (19-16 in Toronto's favour). The Leafs would get on the board 8:16 into the final period via William Nylander. That made the game more interesting. However, tried as they may, Toronto just could not find the equaliser. Marcus Foligno put them out of their misery with 15 seconds to go from an empty net goal.
It is consecutive wins for the Wild, who remain fifth in the West. As for the Maple Leafs, losers of their last three, they are also fifth, in the East.
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