Nelson’s late goal lifts Isles over Caps
N.Y. pulls even with Washington for first place in East Division
Brock Nelson scored with just under seven minutes left and Semyon Varlamov made 29 saves as the New York Islanders edged Washington 1-0 on Tuesday night to pull even with the Capitals for first place in the East Division.
Varlamov and Vitak Vanecek matched each other save for save for more than 50 minutes before Nelson scored his teamleading 14th goal assisted by defenseman Ryan Pulock at 13:05 of the third period.
Varlamov earned his fourth shutout this season and the 31st of his career. It was the first time he blanked his former Capitals team in a regular-season game.
New York improved to 16-1-2 at Nassau Coliseum, remaining the only team in the NHL with just one regulation loss at home.
Rangers 8, Penguins 4: Artemi Panarin had a goal and three assists, Adam Fox had a goal and two assists and the New York Rangers beat Pittsburgh. Colin Blackwell, Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome, Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko and Pavel Buchnevich also scored for New York, which extended its point streak to four games (3-0-1). It was the first time in 11 years that eight Rangers scored in a game. Igor Shesterkin made 42 saves and recorded his third consecutive win. Jared Mccann, Mike Matheson, Jake Guentzel and Brian Dumoulin scored for Pittsburgh, which lost for the second time in seven games.
Sabres 5, Devils 3: Defenseman
Rasmus Dahlin scored and set up the winning goal by Casey Mittelstadt as Buffalo snapped a 10-game road winless streak. Ramus Asplund, Brandon Montour and Rasmus Ristolainen also scored for the Sabres, who recently snapped an 18-game winless streak. Linus Ullmark made 27 saves to beat the Devils for the fourth time this season. Damon Severson, Jesper Bratt and Pavel Zacha scored for New Jersey, which is 1-4-2 in its last seven games.
Bruins 4, Flyers 2: Patrice Bergeron recorded a hat trick and reached 900 career points, and Brad Marchand’s short-handed goal led Boston to a win over Philadelphia. Marchand’s goal midway through the third period helped put more distance between the Bruins and Flyers for the final playoff spot in the East Division. The Bruins now hold a five-point lead over the Flyers for fourth. Bergeron added an emptynetter in the final minute. Jake Voracek and former Union College standout Shayne Gostisbehere scored for the Flyers.
Blue Jackets 4, Lightning 2: Zac Dalpe scored for the first time in 4 1⁄2 years, Joonas Korpisalo made 36 saves and Columbus beat Tampa Bay. Max Domi and Jack Roslovic each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who rebounded after losing three in a row. Nick Foligno also scored.
Predators 3, Red Wings 2 (SO): Ryan Johansen and Roman Josi scored in the shootout to lift Nashville
New York Islanders' Brock Nelson (29) shoots the puck past Washington Capitals goaltender Vitek Vanecek during the third period Tuesday in Uniondale. The Islanders won 1-0. over Detroit. The Predators improved to 4-0 in shootouts.
Hurricanes 5, Panthers 2: Jordan Staal scored twice, and Carolina rallied with four goals in the third period to beat Florida.
Blackhawks 4, Stars 2: Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubilik and Alex Debrincat scored, Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist, and Chicago beat Dallas.