Cam Talbot made 38 saves as the streaking New York Rangers beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Sunday for their 14th victory in 17 games.
New York have an NHL-best 95 points and have earned at least one point in 17 of 18 games. James Sheppard and Matt Hunwick scored for the Rangers.
The Panthers, who began the day six points out of a playoff spot, lost in regulation for the first time in five games. Brandon Pirri scored his 15th goal, and Dan Ellis made 32 saves.
Photo: AFP
HURRICANES 3, BLUE JACKETS 2
In Columbus, Ohio, Brad Malone’s goal capped a big second period for Carolina and helped the Hurricanes end a three-game losing streak with a victory against Columbus.
Justin Faulk and Ron Hainsey also scored for the Hurricanes. Andrej Nestrasil had two assists, and Anton Khudobin made 22 saves.
Photo: USA Today
Nick Foligno and Scott Hartnell had the goals for Columbus, which had won three straight. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 24 shots.
RED WINGS 5, PENGUINS 1
In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Teemu Pulkkinen scored twice for the first multigoal game of his career, as the Detroit Red Wings thrashed the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Marek Zidlicky added a goal and two assists for the Red Wings. Henrik Zetterberg and Riley Sheahan also scored for Detroit. Petr Mrazek made 42 saves for his first win in over a month.
Marc-Andre Fleury stopped just 12 of the 16 shots before being pulled in the second period, as the Penguins lost their second straight. David Perron scored his 17th, and Sidney Crosby picked up an assist after missing Saturday’s loss to Boston due to an illness.
BLUES 3, STARS 0
In Dallas, Jake Allen made 28 saves for his fourth shutout this season, and Vladimir Tarasenko broke a scoreless tie with a goal in the third period in St Louis’ win over Dallas.
The Blues added a power-play goal by Alexander Steen and an empty-netter by T.J. Oshie in the final three minutes and 15 seconds. It was Allen’s fifth career shutout.
Steen and Oshie each had a goal and an assist, and teammate Alex Pietrangelo managed two assists. St Louis killed all six Stars power plays. The Blues’ penalty killers have been successful in 29 of 30 chances over the last nine games.
CAPITALS 2, BRUINS 0
In Washington, Braden Holtby made 32 saves for his eighth shutout of the season and Nicklas Backstrom became Washington’s career assists leader as the Capitals cooled the surging Boston Bruins.
Holtby rebounded from being pulled during the second period of Friday night’s loss after allowing four goals on 22 shots. Washington moved two points ahead of Boston for the first Eastern Conference wild card spot. Backstrom assisted on goals by John Carlson and Nate Schmidt, moving past Michal Pivonka and Alex Ovechkin (418 each) on the Capitals’ assists list with 420.
The Bruins had won five straight, and were 7-0-1 in their last eight.
SENATORS 2, FLYERS 1, SO
In Ottowa, Bobby Ryan scored the shootout winner and Andrew Hammond stopped 27 shots, lifting Ottawa past Philadelphia.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored the lone goal in regulation for the Senators, who have won their last three games as they make a playoff push. Hammond, making his third straight start, has allowed just 16 goals in his first 11 games.
Jakub Voracek scored for the Flyers, and Ray Emery made 27 saves in his first appearance since Feb. 19.
DUCKS 4, PREDATORS 2
In Anaheim, California, Kyle Palmieri scored the tying goal and Nate Thompson put the Ducks ahead 35 seconds later, leading Anaheim back from a two-goal deficit with a four-goal third period.
Ryan Getzlaf scored early in the third and Cam Fowler added a power-play goal for the Ducks. John Gibson made 25 saves as Anaheim won their second straight after a three-game skid, staying even with the Rangers atop the overall NHL standings.
Roman Josi and Taylor Beck scored, and Pekka Rinne stopped 24 shots in Nashville’s eighth loss in 10 games.
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