Evgeny Kuznetsov put on a dazzling passing display and Daniel Winnik scored two goals as the Washington Capitals cooled off the hottest team in the NHL by beating the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Friday.
Kuznetsov’s magnificent primary assists, including a no-look pass to T.J. Oshie, gave him 53 on the season. Winnik’s goals were his first with the Capitals since they acquired the forward from Toronto at the trade deadline.
Andre Burakovsky also scored as Washington moved two points closer to clinching the Metropolitan Division and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Braden Holtby made 20 saves to register his league-best 43rd victory.
Photo: AP
Filip Forsberg scored his team-leading 29th goal for the Predators, who lost in regulation for just the second time in their past 18 games.
BLACKHAWKS 4, JETS 0
In Winnipeg, Manitoba, Scott Darling made 28 saves for his first shutout of the season and Andrew Ladd scored against his former team as the Chicago Blackhawks ended a four-game losing streak with a victory over the Winnipeg Jets.
Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa opened the scoring 26 seconds apart late in the second period, and Tomas Fleischmann also had a goal for the Blackhawks. It was Ladd’s first appearance in Winnipeg since the former Jets captain was traded to Chicago on Feb. 25.
Darling earned the second shutout of his two-year career with the Blackhawks in his 20th game of the season.
Ondrej Pavelec turned aside 32 shots for Winnipeg, which started a four-game homestand.
SABRES 3, SENATORS 1
In Buffalo, New York, rookie Sam Reinhart had a goal and an assist as the Sabres defeated the Senators.
Nick Deslauriers and Zach Bogosian also scored for Buffalo, and Chad Johnson made 32 saves.
Alex Chiasson scored for the Senators, who got 31 stops from Craig Anderson.
A third consecutive road loss dimmed the Senators’ playoff hopes. Having won two straight at home entering Friday, Ottawa remained seven points behind Detroit for the final wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
OILERS 2, CANUCKS 0
In Edmonton, Alberta, Cam Talbot made 40 saves for his third shutout of the season, leading the Oilers over the Canucks.
Jordan Eberle and Matt Hendricks scored for the Oilers, who have won two in a row and seven of their last 11. Talbot has 11 career shutouts.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 23 of 25 shots for the Canucks, who have lost three in a row.
It appeared Vancouver might have gotten a goal five minutes into the second period as a puck slipped under Talbot, but it did not count after a video review showed the incidental contact with Talbot.
In other NHL action, it was:
‧ Avalanche 4, Flames 3, SO
‧ Ducks 4, Bruins 0
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