OT win puts Islanders back on top

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A pair of guys who played high school hockey in Minnesota helped the Islanders pick up an important two points on the road Sunday night.

They also did no favors for the home team.

Brock Nelson scored 1:04 into overtime and the Islanders beat the Wild, 3-2, to move into a tie atop the Metropolitan Division.

“It's a great moment for him and hopefully he gets a few minutes to share it with them after this and then we've gotta head home,” said Devon Toews, who assisted on a goal by Anders Lee.

Nelson played for Warroad near the Canadian border; Lee is from the Minneapolis suburb of Edina.

Lee scored for the fourth straight game and Jordan Eberle added a goal for the Islanders, who have won five of seven. Thomas Greiss made 32 saves. The Islanders are tied with Washington with 91 points with 10 games remaining, but hold the tiebreaker with a greater scoring differential.

In the extra session, Nelson converted a feed from Mathew Barzal to beat Alex Stalock with a wrister from the slot. Nelson established a career high of 47 points.

AVALANCHE 3, DEVILS 0

DENVER — The Colorado Avalanche needed somebody to step up to help its postseason hopes. It got two big performances before a crucial road trip.

Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves for his third shutout in his last five starts, and the Avalanche beat the Devils, 3-0, on Sunday to end a two-game skid.

“We need wins and that was a good step in the right direction,” Grubauer said. “We can't hope for another team to lose for us to get in. We have to keep playing the right way. Every shift for every guy matters.”

Tyson Barrie scored twice as Colorado (31-29-12) stayed in the mix for a second straight playoff appearance. Nathan MacKinnon scored his 37th goal and also notched an assist to reach the 90point mark for the second straight season.

The Avalanche trails Arizona by four points for the second wild card in the Western Conference with 10 games to go.