Boston tops Carolina in a potential playoff preview
David Pastrnak and Danton Heinen each had a goal and an assist in the first period and the Boston Bruins beat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Brad Marchand had the game’s first goal, Hampus Lindholm added an empty-netter and Jeremy Swayman made 27 saves for Boston.
The Bruins won their third game in a row and moved four points in front of the Hurricanes, who have a game in hand, in a matchup of Eastern Conference playoffbound teams. Boston finished a six-game road stretch at 4-2-0.
Carolina’s Jake Guentzel scored on a 5-on-3 power play in the second period, but the Hurricanes were left without a point for just the second time in their last 11 games.
Other games
Panthers 6, Senators 0:
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 saves for his fifth shutout of the season, Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and two assists and Florida routed host Ottawa. Panthers coach Paul Maurice moved into sole possession of fourth place on the NHL victory list with 865.
Islanders 4, Blue Jackets 2:
Noah Dobson scored the goahead goal early in the third period and visiting New York stayed alive in its quest for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
LIghtning 7, Canadiens 4:
NHL points leader Nikita Kucherov scored his 43rd goal of the season and had two assists, Steven Stamkos and Nicholas Paul each scored twice and Tampa Bay beat host Montreal. Holding the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Lightning improved to 43-267.
Predators 6, Blues 3: Filip Forsberg had two goals and an assist, Juuse Saros made 44 saves and host Nashville beat St. Louis to snap a three-game losing streak.
Jets 5, Flames 2: Gabriel Vilardi had a hat trick, and
Winnipeg clinched a playoff berth by beating visiting Calgary. Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and an assist and Tyler Toffoli also scored for the Jets.
Avalanche 5, Wild 2: Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and two assists, Justus Annunen made a career-high 44 saves and Colorado moved closer to first place in the Central Division with a win over host Minnesota.
Notes
The San Jose Sharks have signed undrafted free agent
Collin Graf, a star college forward, to a three-year contract.
• Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad will likely miss the rest of the regular season with an undisclosed injury, but coach Paul Maurice firmly believes the veteran will return for the Stanley Cup playoffs.
• The Arizona Coyotes said Thursday night they’re committed to win a land auction that could pave the way for the NHL club to remain in the Phoenix area after years of arena uncertainty.