Panthers beats Devils 5-3 to spoil Green’s debut as interim coach

NEWARK, N.J. >> Nick Cousins had two goals and Florida beat New Jersey for their sixth straight win, spoiling the debut of interim Devils coach Travis Green.

Eetu Luostarinen, Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart also scored as the Panthers won for the 12th time in 13 games. Florida leads the NHL with 43 wins and 90 points, and it is 25-4-2 since Dec. 23.

Anthony Stolarz made 22 saves for Florida.

Jack Hughes, Timo

Meier and Colin Miller scored for the Devils in their first game since general manager Tom Fitzgerald relieved Lindy Ruff of his coaching duties on Monday. New Jersey goaltender Akira Schmid made 26 saves.

PENGUINS 5, BLUE JACKETS 3>>

Jeff Carter and Reilly Smith scored just over a minute apart midway through the third period and Pittsburgh beat Columbus to snap a threegame losing streak.

The Blue Jackets had tied it earlier in the period on a short-handed goal by Jack Roslovic before Carter and Smith beat rookie goaltender Jet Greaves to give the Penguins some breathing room.

Evgeni Malkin, Rickard Rakell and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored for Pittsburgh. Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Peeke also had goals for the Blue Jackets.

The Penguins are 100-1 in their last 11 games against Columbus.

ISLANDERS 4, BLUES 2 >>

Bo Horvat scored the goahead goal early in the third period and New York won its fourth straight game, topping St. Louis.

Kyle Palmieri, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Mathew Barzal also scored for the Islanders who moved within four points of the Philadelphia Flyers for the third spot in the Metropolitan Division, which would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.

Ilya Sorokin finished with 19 saves.

Alexey Toropchenko and Jordan Kyrou scored for the Blues, who had won their last two games. Rookie goaltender Joel Hofer made 29 saves.