Montreal Canadiens 5-4 New York Rangers (OT)
Despite taking the lead four times in Montreal, the New York Rangers left Canada with a 5-4 loss to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime. The visitors went in front midway through the opening period through Alexis Lafreniere. Less than three minutes later though, the Habs were level via Brendan Gallagher. The game would not stay level for long, as Will Cuylle struck the Rangers back in front less than a minute later.
Five minutes into the second, Christian Dvorak brought Montreal back to parity, adding onto his assist from earlier on. The hosts still could not stop their opponents from scoring again, as Mika Zibanejad put New York back in front from a power play. This game had continued drama, with Nick Suzuki responding with just under five minutes to play in the frame. Once again, the game would only stay level for a matter of moments, as Chris Kreider got the Rangers' fourth to retake the lead.
The third period saw the Habs dominate as they attempted to get their fourth equaliser of the game. Outshooting their opponents 22-11, the pressure was telling. With 7:08 remaining in regulation, the Juraj Slafkovsky found the back of the net to tie the match once more. Overtime would be required, and 3:20 into the extra mini-period, Patrik Laine found Montreal's winner to see them come away with an incredible win.
The victory puts the Habs a point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final playoff spot. It also saw them pass New York in the standings, who are now a further two points behind.
Senators edge Devils, Stars dominate Red Wings
In one of the other matches on Sunday, the Ottawa Senators got past the New Jersey Devils 2-1. Zack Ostapchuk put the guests in front midway through the second period despite being outshot 24-4 in the opening frame. Tomas Tatar restored parity a minute later, something the Devils deserved for the pressure they put on the Sens.
The winner came within three minutes of the final period, as Artyom Zub found the go-ahead goal for Ottawa. This time, the Devils had no response. They only mustered six shots in the third period, as they succumbed to a fourth successive reverse. As for the Senators, it was their fifth win in their last six.
As for the other NHL game on Sunday, the Dallas Stars scored three times in the opening period to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1. It took five minutes and change for Matej Blumel to open the scoring, before Jason Robertson doubled the Stars' advantage with 6:55 left in the period.
Mavrik Bourque added a third a minute later, and just like that, Dallas were in a commanding position. A scoreless second period came and went, despite Detroit hitting 20 shots in the middle frame. They would get their goal eight minutes from the end as Simon Edvinsson gave his team hope. That hope would not last, as Wyatt Johnston scored a fourth for the Stars to cap the scoring.
After going through a very impressive spell, the Red Wings have now lost three of their last four, and have fallen back down the Eastern Conference as a result. For Dallas, the win ended a two-game losing skid as they jumped to fourth place in the Western Conference.