Chicago’s Dave Bolland scored the only goal in a four-round shootout as the Blackhawks beat the St Louis Blues 4-3 on Thursday to move closer to clinching an NHL playoff berth.
The Blackhawks would have sealed a fourth straight playoff berth if their win had been combined with Phoenix losing to San Jose, but the Coyotes won so Chicago must wait.
The Blues, who have a league-leading 106 points, could have clinched the Central Division title with a victory.
Photo: AFP
St Louis’ Kris Russell directed a long slap shot through traffic, which was tipped in with 1 minute, 32 seconds left in regulation to tie the game 3-3 after Chicago had led 3-1.
Bryan Bickell, Andrew Brunette and Patrick Sharp scored in regulation for Chicago. Alexander Steen and Jason Arnott added goals for St Louis.
CAPITALS 3, BRUINS 2, SO
Photo: AFP
In Boston, Washington’s Brooks Laich scored in the fourth round of a shootout to lift the Capitals past Boston, keeping pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Washington are tied with Buffalo with 86 points in pursuit of the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Sabres remain ahead because they have a game in hand.
The Bruins could have clinched a playoff berth with a win. The defending Stanley Cup champions will try again when they play the New York Islanders.
Marcus Johansson scored and set up Dennis Wideman’s goal in a 1 minute, 55 second span midway through the third period to give Washington a 2-0 lead. However, the Bruins tied it in the final 3 minutes, 10 seconds through goals by David Krejci and Andrew Ference.
ISLANDERS 5, PENGUINS 3
In Uniondale, New York, Sidney Crosby was struck in the face with the puck as Pittsburgh lost again to New York.
Crosby, nine games into his second comeback of the season after chronic concussion symptoms, was injured early in the second period, but returned to the ice before the period was over.
The Islanders dealt Pittsburgh another big blow as the Penguins try to catch the New York Rangers atop the East. The Islanders knocked off the Penguins by the same scoreline on Tuesday.
Pittsburgh trail the Rangers by five points with five games left.
Josh Bailey had two goals and three assists for New York, while Kyle Okposo also scored twice and Marty Reasoner added a goal. Evgeni Malkin, Jordan Staal and Pascal Dupuis scored for Pittsburgh.
In other games, it was:
‧ Coyotes 2, Sharks 0
‧ Flyers 7, Maple Leafs 1
‧ Devils 6, Lightning 4
‧ Wild 3, Panthers 2, OT
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