Quick start to third powers Buffalo win
Capitals fall ahead of Penguins game
JJ Peterka scored twice, including the go-ahead goal, and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Capitals 6-2 on Tuesday night in Buffalo, N.Y. to slow Washington’s late-season playoff push.
Tage Thompson, Alex Tuch and Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and two assists each in an outing the Sabres blew open by scoring three times in a 2:30 span in the opening minutes of the third period. Buffalo inched to within five points of the Capitals, who began the day holding the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
Other games
Canadiens 5, Panthers 3:
Nick Suzuki scored twice and Sam Montembeault made 37 saves for host Montreal, which has won four of five. Alex Newhook had two assists.
Bruins 3, Predators 0:
Linus Ullmark made 32 saves and had an assist on Charlie Coyle’s shorthanded, game-winner in the third period that lead visiting Boston past Nashville. David Pastrnak and Pavel Zacha each recorded a goal and and assist as the Bruins won for the third time in four games and extended their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points.
Islanders 2, Blackhawks
1: Bo Horvat and Simon Holmstrom scored in the third period to help host New York top Chicago. Ilya Sorokin made 18 saves for New York, which pulled within one point of Washington for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
Wild 3, Senators 2: Vinni Lettieri scored the winning goal with just under seven minutes to play and host Minnesota beat Ottawa to earn a crucial two points.
Notes
The Carolina Hurricanes signed one of their top prospects, with University of Massachusetts defenseman Scott Morrow joining the club on a three-year entry-level contract.