Buffalo Sabres 3-2 Seattle Kraken (SO)
Enjoying one of their best seasons ever, the Buffalo Sabres ended a three-game losing slide with a 3-2 defeat of the Seattle Kraken in a shootout.
It was the guests who took the lead 12:42 into the game, as Chandler Stephenson finished off his chance. The Sabres were in even more trouble in the second, when Bobby McMann doubled the Krakens' advantage. Rasmus Dahlin got the hosts on the board later on, but heading into the second intermission, Buffalo still had work to do.
In a third period that was more even than the home team would have wanted, they did get their leveller through Peyton Krebs with less than five minutes to go. Overtime resolved nothing, as the game ultimately went to a shootout. That was where Buffalo dominated, as both of their skaters found the back of the net, while neither of Seattle's players scored.
The Sabres stay level at the top of the Eastern Conference with the win, and are now nearing a playoff berth. The Kraken, meanwhile, are two points back of the final postseason spot in the West.
Boston Bruins 6-3 Minnesota Wild
The Boston Bruins dominated from the get-go, winning 6-3 against the Minnesota Wild. It made it four wins in their last five as they look to lock to a top eight place in the East.
Andrew Peeke, Pavel Zacha, and Viktor Arvidsson put the Bruins up 3-0 by the midway mark of the second frame. Kiril Kaprizov got one back for the Wild, making the game a bit interesting heading into the third.
After Elias Lindholm made it 4-1 for Boston early on in the final period of regulation, the Wild really started to put the pressure on their opponents. Mats Zuccarello and Ryan Hartman scored to bring the Bruins' lead down to just one.
Still chasing the game, Minnesota continued to attack, searching for their equalizer. Unfortunately for them, it never came. Instead, Zacha and Lindholm scored again, completing the Bruins' win.
Boston are up to fifth spot in the East after the victory, four points ahead of the first team in the elimination places. As for the Wild, they stay third in the West, and are set to be part of the postseason.
Pittsburgh Penguins 3-6 Dallas Stars
A four-goal second period from the Dallas Stars played a key role in their 6-3 victory at the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Anthony Mantha gave the Pens an early lead as they looked to strentghen their chances of making the postseason. Justin Hryckovian tied things up two minutes and change after the first intermission before Erik Karlsson gave Pittsburgh back the lead less than a minute later.
That was where the Stars truly came to life. Jason Robertson and Mikko Rantanen scored power play goals to give Dallas their first lead of the night. Lian Bichsel added a fourth moments later, and just like that, it was Pittsburgh chasing the game.
Noel Acciari gave the Penguins hope with a goal 8:54 into the third, giving the home fans hope. They were unable to find the back of the net again after that though, as Mavrik Bourque scored two empty netters to complete the result for the Stars.
Dallas are still chasing the Colorado Avalanche, but gained on them on Saturday night, with the lead at the top of the Western Conference now being seven for the latter. Pittsburgh's loss dropped them to seventh in the East, but they are still in a good position to qualify for the playoffs as things stand.
Other results
New York Islanders 5-2 Florida Panthers
Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 Ottawa Senators
Edmonton Oilers 4-2 Anaheim Ducks
Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 New Jersey Devils
Columbus Blue Jackets 2-3 San Jose Sharks
Colorado Avalanche 2-4 Winnipeg Jets
Nashville Predators 1-4 Montreal Canadiens
St. Louis Blues 5-1 Toronto Maple Leafs
Detroit Red Wings 3-5 Philadelphia Flyers
Los Angeles Kings 2-6 Utah Mammoth
Calgary Flames 7-3 Vancouver Canucks
Vegas Golden Knights 4-5 Washington Capitals
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