DeBrusk, Bruins edge hosts Lightning
TAMPA: Boston’s Jake DeBrusk scored the game-winning goal in his 200th NHL game on Tuesday, sending the Bruins to a 2-1 win over hosts Tampa Bay Lightning in a match-up of the Eastern Conference’s top two clubs.
Brad Marchand notched his 28th marker, and Torey Krug, David Pastrnak and Charlie Coyle assisted on goals for Boston, who earned their league-best 42nd victory and have won 14 of 17, including three in a row.
Tuukka Rask stopped 20 of 21 shots to go to 12-3-1 in his last 16 games.
Tampa Bay’s Mitchell Stephens scored, and Tyler Johnson and Barclay Goodrow recorded helpers. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy posted 33 saves for the Lightning, who fell to 1-5-1 in their past six games since an 11-game win streak.
Brendan Gallagher scored to start a first-period flurry for visiting Montreal, who cruised past New York 6-2.
Jeff Petry and Charles Hudon also scored in the first period, and Paul Byron scored in the second. Jordan
Weal and Joel Armia added goals late in the third for the Canadiens, who have won two straight and four of six (4-1-1). Goalie Carey Price made 20 saves.
Brock Nelson and Ryan Pulock scored in the third period for the Islanders, who have lost four straight (0-2-2) and eight of 10 (2-6-2).
Brayden Schenn scored the tiebreaking goal with 10:04 minutes remaining in the third period, and surging St Louis extended their winning streak to eight games with a 3-1 win over hosts New York. Schenn scored for the fifth straight game and reached 25 goals for the fourth time in his career by scoring on a fluky play.
Colton Parayko had a power-play goal in the second period and an assist for St Louis. Schwartz added an empty-net goal with six seconds left. Mika Zibanejad scored a power-play goal in the first period for the Rangers, who dropped their third straight game.
Bryan Rust had a hat-trick as Pittsburgh topped Ottawa 7-3.