Columbus continues impressive run with 16th straight victory

The first power play goal of William Karlsson’s career, scored midway through the second period, propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to their 16th consecutive win Tuesday before 17,169 in Nationwide Arena, 3-1 over the Edmonton Oilers.

It’s the second-longest streak in NHL history, trailing only a 17-game streak by the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the 1992-93 season – before seven players on the Blue Jackets’ current roster were born.

The Blue Jackets will attempt to match the record on Thursday, when they play on the road at the Washington Capitals.

Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno also scored for the Blue Jackets, while goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had 21 saves to earn his league-leading 25th victory.

The Blue Jackets haven’t lost a game since November 26 – one day before Thanksgiving – when they fell to the Florida Panthers 3-2 in overtime.

In addition to the 16-game winning streak, the Blue Jackets have an 18-game point streak (17-0-1) and an eight-game home winning streak dating to 2-0 loss to Calgary on November 23, both franchise records.

(Columbus Dispatch/TNS)

Sabres 4, Rangers 1

Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons, Evander Kane and Justin Bailey all scored while Anders Nilsson made 24 saves as Buffalo defeated New York.

Defenseman Nick Holden scored his eighth goal of the season for the Rangers, while Henrik Lundqvist stopped 15 shots in defeat.

Capitals 6, Maple Leafs 5 (OT)

Alex Ovechkin scored 22 seconds into overtime as Washington rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat Toronto.

Ovechkin took a crossing pass from John Carlson and ripped a quick shot past Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen, ending the Toronto’s five-game winning streak.

Carlson scored the goal that sent the game into overtime by tapping in a loose puck from in front with 6:05 left in the third period. Toronto led 4-2 heading into the third period.

Frederik Gauthier, Nazem Kadri, Connor Brown and Leo Komarov each scored once for Toronto.

Canadiens 2, Predators 1 (OT)

Shea Weber, acquired from Nashville in the offseason, notched the tying goal as Montreal rallied in overtime against his old team.

Max Pacioretty supplied the winner at 4:30 of the extra session, squeezing a wrist shot past Pekka Rinne for his team-high 16th goal of the season.

Kings 2, Sharks 1 (OT)

Tanner Pearson capped a twoon-one break with a goal 58 seconds into overtime as Los Angeles San Jose.

Pearson tapped in Jeff Carter’s cross-ice feed with only Sharks defenseman Justin Braun back as San Jose’s Logan Couture committed a costly turnover.

The Kings had tied the score 1-1 at 3:03 of the third period when Carter scored his 21st goal of the season – and seventh in seven games – by redirecting a shot-pass from defenseman Jake Muzzi.

Devils 3, Hurricanes 1

Adam Henrique and Mike Cammalleri each scored and set up a goal and Cory Schneider stopped 29 shots as New Jersey beat Carolina.

Less than a minute after Cammalleri’s goal, Hurricanes’ rookie Sebastian Aho scored his eighth to spoil a potential shutout for Schneider, who beat Boston 3-0 on Monday. (Reuters)