San Jose and Nashville delivered another typically tight NHL game on Tuesday with the Sharks coming out on top 3-2 thanks to Patrick Marleau’s overtime goal.
Marleau’s 27th of the season at 3:24 in overtime gave the Sharks a 2-2 season series split with Nashville with all four contests decided by a single goal.
“I think we expect every game to be close like this now, but we’re finding ways to win,” San Jose winger Ryane Clowe told reporters. “We had some really good chances in the third period. Their goalie made some good saves.”
Photo: Reuters
Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne made 30 saves, including 13 during the scoreless third period.
Pacific Division leaders San Jose (39-22-6) have now won nine of their last 10 games and moved two points behind the second-placed Detroit Red Wings in the Western Conference.
The Predators (33-24-10) are one point out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West after their seventh loss in nine games.
“We were a little bit tired,” Predators coach Barry Trotz said after his team completed a four-game road trip. “We’ve played teams that have been good and hot. Obviously we’d like to get a few more points, but we’re going home now.”
Clowe opened the scoring at 8:17 in the first before Nashville’s Joel Ward made it 1-1. Justin Braun put the Sharks ahead again early in the second, but Shea Weber tied the game 2-2 less than two minutes later.
CANADIENS 4, BRUINS 1
In Montreal, Lars Eller scored twice in the first period to set up Montreal’s 4-1 win over Boston on Tuesday, bringing the Canadiens within three points of the Bruins in the fight for the NHL Northeast Division lead.
Carey Price made 30 saves for Montreal, which has won a season-high five straight.
A dangerous hit on Montreal’s Max Pacioretty by Boston captain Zdeno Chara late in the second left the Canadiens left wing motionless when he was taken off the ice on a stretcher. Chara was given an interference major and a game misconduct for the hit, which sent Pacioretty flying -headfirst into a glass partition.
A Canadiens spokesman said Pacioretty was conscious and moving his extremities when he was taken to hospital for precautions.
Brian Gionta scored his 24th goal in the second and James Wisniewski added a power-play goal for Montreal.
Milan Lucic scored late for the Bruins.
PENGUINS 3, SABRES 1
In Pittsburgh, James Neal and Zbynek Michalek each scored their first Penguins’ goals, as Pittsburgh continued their recent mastery of Buffalo.
Mark Letestu also had a goal for Pittsburgh, which swept the season series with the Sabres in winning their sixth consecutive game against them.
Neal’s goal was his first in seven games since being acquired from Dallas and Michalek — who added an assist — scored for the first time in 59 games this season.
Rob Niedermayer scored for Buffalo, which lost in regulation for the first time in eight games.
PANTHERS 3, BLACKHAWKS 2
In Sunrise, Florida, Chicago’s eight-game winning streak was ended by Florida.
David Booth had a goal and an assist as the Panthers won their first game in six and gave Panthers coach Pete DeBoer his 100th NHL win.
Clay Wilson and Marty Reasoner also scored first-period goals to give Florida a 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane scored for the Blackhawks.
FLYERS 4, OILERS 1
In Philadelphia, Jeff Carter scored two goals as Philadelphia beat Edmonton to snap a season-worst four-game losing streak.
Danny Briere and Blair Betts also scored for the Eastern Conference-leading Flyers.
Jean-Francois Jacques scored for Edmonton, which is last in the West but had won three in a row.
The slumping Flyers had seen their lead in the East shrink from double digits to just two points.
In other NHL play, it was:
‧ Wild 5, Avalanche 2
‧ Islanders 4, Maple Leafs 3, OT
‧ Senators 2, Devils 1
‧ Canucks 4, Coyotes 3
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