Devs top Isles, close to playoffs
Taylor Hall scored two goals and the Devils took a major step toward their first playoff berth since 2012 with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Islanders on Saturday night.
Coupled with Florida’s 5-1 loss to Boston earlier in the day, the Devils opened a five-point lead over the Panthers in the race for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference and moved within a point of idle Philadelphia for the top wildcard spot. Both teams have four games left in the regular season, one fewer than Florida.
Stefan Noesen and Blake Coleman each had a goal and assist as the Devils won for the seventh time in 10 games (7-2-1). Keith Kinkaid, who has started nine of 10 games and been the mainstay in net since late January, had 27 saves, including a stop on a one-timer by Ryan Pulock with 14 seconds to play.
Tanner Fritz, Anthony Beauvillier and Chris Wagner scored for the Islanders, who have lost 16 of their last 19 (3-12-4). Thomas Greiss made 31 saves in his first game since Feb. 16, when he sustained an ankle injury.
Scott Sutter’s shot deflected off Josue Colman for the go-ahead goal in the 86th minute, sending Orlando City past the visiting Red Bulls 4-3 for its first victory this season.
Red Bulls goalkeeper Luis Robles appeared to have Sutter’s shot covered, but the redirection off Colman’s shoulder put Robles out of position. Colman was credited with the goal.
After two goals by Orlando’s Dom Dwyer, Aaron Long pulled the Red Bulls (2-2-0) even in the 82nd minute with a short header to finish Marc Rzatkowski’s free kick.
l Maximiliano Moralez had a goal and an assist and visiting New York City FC beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1. Moralez’s winner deflected off Yeferson Quintana and went in, giving NYCFC (4-0-1) the lead in the 60th minute.
Caris Levert scored with about a half-minute left in overtime to put Brooklyn up for good, Dwyane Wade missed on a play where he thought he got fouled at the buzzer and the Nets beat the Miami Heat 110-109.
l Warriors guard Patrick McCaw was taken away on a stretcher after he fell hard to the floor following a foul by Sacramento’s Vince Carter. McCaw lay in agony for about 10 minutes as the arena silenced. Carter, who was given a Flagrant-1 foul, knelt nearby.