John Tavares forced overtime with a goal moments after a power play expired, and then scored unassisted with 1 minute, 55 seconds left in the extra period to lead the New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
Josh Bailey got the other goal for New York and Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves as the Islanders snapped a two-game losing streak and beat the Devils for the third time in as many games this season.
Scott Gomez and Travis Zajac scored for the Devils. Keith Kinkaid made 28 saves for New Jersey, who lost for the second time in as many nights.
Photo: AFP
Tavares stole the puck from a falling Adam Larsson near the corner behind the Devils’ net, quickly turned and roared into the right circle, snapping a shot over the shoulder of Kinkaid.
LIGHTNING 2, SABRES 1
Steven Stamkos scored his 22nd goal to break a third-period tie as the Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning beat the stumbling Buffalo Sabres.
Stamkos took a pass from Jonathan Drouin during a 2-on-1 and lifted a shot with 5 minutes, 18 seconds to play over Michal Neuvirth, who was under siege for the final two periods and finished with 45 saves.
Valtteri Filppula also scored for the Lightning, who have won seven of eight.
The Sabres, losers of seven in a row, got a goal from Cody McCormick. Buffalo have scored eight goals during the skid.
MAPLE LEAFS 5, BLUE JACKETS 2
James van Riemsdyk scored two goals and added an assist, helping the Toronto Maple Leafs over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The win was the Maple Leafs’ first in two games under interim coach Peter Horachek, who took over for the fired Randy Carlyle.
Tyler Bozak, Daniel Winnik and Phil Kessel added goals for Toronto, while Jonathan Bernier made 18 saves.
Ryan Johansen scored twice for the Blue Jackets, who were held to just 20 shots — the second-fewest allowed this season by the Maple Leafs, who gave up only 10 to Buffalo in a 4-0 win on Oct. 28.
Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves after signing a US$29.7 million, four-year extension earlier in the day.
PANTHERS 6, FLAMES 5
Thomas Fleischmann scored with 3 minutes, 9 seconds left in the third period to lead the Florida Panthers to a wild win over the Calgary Flames.
Fleischmann lifted a backhander over both Calgary defenseman Kris Russell and goaltender Jonas Hiller for the winning goal just 45 seconds after Matt Stajan scored his second of the game for the Flames.
Fleischman, Jonathan Huberdeau, Brad Boyes and Sean Bergenheim all finished with a goal and an assist for the Panthers. Jimmy Hayes and Brian Campbell also scored for Florida, while David Bolland had two assists.
Stajan and T.J. Brodie each scored twice for the Flames, who lost their third straight to finish a six-game homestand at 3-3.
OILERS 5, BLACKHAWKS 2
Derek Roy had a goal and two assists to lift the Edmonton Oilers to a victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Benoit Pouliot, Jeff Petry, Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall also scored for the Oilers, who are 3-1-2 under interim coach Todd Nelson since he took over sole coaching responsibilities when general manager Craig MacTavish moved back upstairs from the bench.
The Oilers had lost 20 of their previous 21 games before the recent surge.
Brandon Saad had a pair of goals for the Blackhawks, who have lost two of their past three.
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