Slavin posts hat trick as Hurricanes rip Islanders
NEW YORK — Jaccob Slavin had a hat trick, Jeff Skinner and Justin Faulk each scored twice and the Carolina Hurricanes ruined the New York Islanders’ return from a long road trip with an 8-4 win on Monday night.
New York capped a nine-game trip on Saturday at St. Louis and returned to Barclays Center with an 11-game home point streak. There was no home-ice advantage in this one, though, as Carolina broke things open with four straight goals during the second period.
Joakim Nordstrom also scored for the Hurricanes, and Cam Ward made 23 stops. Slavin’s third goal came late in the third period on a shot that sneaked through the legs of Thomas Greiss.
Ryan Strome, Stephen Gionta, Calvin de Haan and Joshua Ho-Sang scored for the Islanders. Jean-Francois Berube made nine saves on 13 shots before being pulled in the second period, and Greiss made 16 saves in relief.
BLUE JACKETS 5, FLYERS 3: In Philadelphia, Cam Atkinson scored twice and Brandon Dubinsky had the go-ahead goal in the third period to help Columbus set franchise records for wins and points in a season with a victory over the Flyers.
Zach Werenski and Sam Gagner also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have 44 wins and 94 points.
Travis Konecny had a pair of goals and Brayden Schenn also scored for sagging Philadelphia, which has lost 10 of 15 to hurt its fading playoff chances. The Flyers began play six points out of a postseason spot.
LIGHTNING 3, RANGERS 2: In New York, Brayden Point scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal with 6:39 remaining, and Tampa Bay defeated the Rangers.
Peter Budaj made 26 saves for his first win since Tampa Bay acquired him from the Los Angeles Kings in a trade for fellow goalie Ben Bishop. Gabriel Dumont also scored for the Lightning, who extended their winning streak to three games. They have picked up at least one point in eight of their last nine on the road.
Steven Kampfer and Michael Grabner had the goals for the Rangers. They still hold a comfortable lead for the first wild card in the Eastern Conference. PREDATORS 5, JETS 4 (OT): In Nashville, Tenn., James Neal scored at 2:11 of overtime to give the Predators a victory over slumping Winnipeg.
With the Predators on a power play, Neal made a head fake at the right faceoff dot and drifted toward the low slot before firing a wrist shot by Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
Neal’s goal was his 20th of the season. Pekka Rinne finished with 30 saves. Austin Watson, Mike Fisher, Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen also scored for Nashville in its second consecutive win.
Blake Wheeler, Byfuglien, Laine and Joel Armia scored for Winnipeg, which has lost four straight. Hellebuyck made 37 saves. FLAMES 4, PENGUINS 3 (SO): In Calgary, Alberta, Kris Versteeg scored the lone shootout goal and the Flames won their 10th straight game, edging Pittsburgh.
Sidney Crosby scored to tie the score at 3-3 with 3:31 left in the third period, but Flames goalie Brian Elliott stopped shots by Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel in the shootout. Elliott finished with 35 saves.
Deryk Engelland, Dennis Wideman and Johnny Gaudreau scored for Calgary.