Jaromir Jagr scored the equalizer with 1 minute, 1 second left in regulation time as the New Jersey Devils ended Anaheim’s eight-game home winning streak to open the season with a 4-3 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday.
Travis Zajac got credit for the winning goal 2 minutes 58 seconds into overtime, but the Ducks put it in their own net. Ben Lovejoy hit teammate Corey Perry with the puck while attempting to clear the crease, and it caromed past Jonas Hiller to end the longest season-opening home winning streak in Anaheim history.
Ryan Getzlaf scored the tiebreaking power-play goal, while Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist for the NHL-leading Ducks, who have lost five straight.
Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby delivered a goal and an assist to get the better of a quiet Alex Ovechkin in the past seasons Most Valuable Players’ first matchup as division rivals as the Penguins ended a three-game road losing streak by beating the Washington Capitals 4-0.
Marc-Andre Fleury needed to make only 18 saves for his second shutout this season and 25th in the NHL. Paul Martin and Beau Bennett scored less than five-and-a-half minutes apart to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead in a first period they dominated, outshooting Washington 17-6.
Crosby, who assisted on Martin’s goal, then netted his 11th on a power play with 29 seconds remaining in the second period.
James Neal made it 4-0 with a goal 7m 16s into the third.
In Ottawa, Mikko Koivu scored the tiebreaking goal in the closing minutes of the third period and added two assists to lift the Minnesota Wild over the Senators 4-3.
Koivu netted the winner with 2m 57s left, allowing the Wild to rebound from a 6-2 loss in Montreal on Tuesday.
Former Senators forward Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist for the Wild (14-5-4), as did Jonas Brodin. Jason Pominville had the other goal, and Zach Parise had two assists.
Milan Michalek scored on the power play as the teams approached the midway point of the third period to pull the Senators even with the Wild. It appeared that goal would at least get the Senators to overtime.
Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Senators (8-10-4), who have lost three straight.
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Calgary Flames 2-1 after defenseman Nikita Nikitin scored his first goal of the season 2m 25s into overtime.
When David Savard’s shot was blocked by Mikael Backlund in front, the puck caromed out to Nikitin, who had an empty net with Reto Berra down and out.
Nick Foligno also scored for Columbus.
Joe Colborne scored for Calgary, who have lost six straight at home.
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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