Jonathan Huberdeau scored twice during a three-point night, while Aleksander Barkov had a goal and an assist to help the Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 5-2 on Tuesday in a matchup of Eastern Conference division leaders.
The Atlantic Division-leading Panthers also got a goal from Vincent Trocheck, an empty-netter from Quinton Howden and 36 saves from backup goaltender Al Montoya as they won their fourth game in a row.
Florida took advantage of backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer and the absence of Washington star Alex Ovechkin, who was required to sit out after missing the NHL All-Star Game with an injury.
Photo: AP
Florida scored on two of their four power plays, while the Capitals went zero for eight in a game full of whistles. Nicklas Backstrom and Andre Burakovsky scored for Washington.
OILERS 5, BLUE JACKETS 1
Connor McDavid had a goal and two assists in his return from a nearly three-month absence as Edmonton beat Columbus to end a three-game skid.
Eric Gryba, Benoit Pouliot, Leon Draisaitl and Jordan Eberle also scored for the Oilers, while Cam Talbot made 36 saves.
McDavid scored a highlight-reel goal in the second period. He danced through two defenders and beat Joonas Korpisalo with a backhand-to-forehand deke for his sixth goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.
Matt Calvert scored for the Blue Jackets as Columbus ended a two-game winning streak end.
PENGUINS 6, SENATORS 5
Sidney Crosby scored a hat-trick as Pittsburgh claimed victory over Ottawa.
The two-time NHL Most Valuable Player pushed his goal total to 20 and has scored at least one in Pittsburgh’s past eight home games. The Penguins have won four straight and lost in regulation just once since Jan. 6.
Chris Kunitz had a goal and two assists. Kris Letang added a goal and an assist, while Matt Cullen also scored for Pittsburgh. The Penguins’ six goals were a season high. Marc-Andre Fleury settled down after a shaky start and finished with 18 saves.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Mark Stone, Cody Ceci, Chris Wideman and Dave Dziurzynski scored for the Senators.
Craig Anderson made 38 stops.
In other games, it was:
‧ Blackhawks 2, Avalanche 1
‧ Ducks 3, Sharks 2
‧ Kings 6, Coyotes 2
‧ Blues 1, Predators 0
‧ Stars 5, Jets 3
‧ Devils 3, Rangers 2
‧ Islanders 5, Wild 3
‧ Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 3, OT
‧ Flyers 4, Canadiens 2
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