Buffalo Sabres 7-2 Boston Bruins
The Buffalo Sabres managed to score often in a 7-2 victory over the Boston Bruins. Remarkably, it was the latter who opened the scoring through Mason Lohrei midway through the first period. It only took 55 seconds for the Sabres to respond via Tage Thompson.
Nearly five minutes into the second period, Thompson but Buffalo in front before John Peterka added to the lead less than two minutes later. The third period was where the hosts really put themselves well and truly out of reach. Thompson completed his hat-trick three minutes and change into the final frame, making it 4-1.
Brad Marchand's power play halfway through the third gave the Bruins some life, but 30 seconds after that, they conceded yet again as Peterka bagged his second of the night. The German then went on to bag a hat-trick with 5:34 left, before Zach Benson added a seventh right at the end.
The Bruins are still in a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, staying in seventh spot. The Sabres are bottom of the conference, with this result being their 19th win of the year.
New York Islanders 5-2 Colorado Avalanche
The New York Islanders kept their winning streak going with a 5-2 victory over the visiting Colorado Avalanche. After a scoreless opening period, Anders Lee got the hosts in front four minutes into the middle period. Arturi Lehkonen tied things up later on to return the game to parity.
Simon Holmstrom only needed two minutes in the final period to put the Islanders back in front. Bo Horvat added to New York's advantage halfway through the third. However, Colorado would not go down without a fight, as Jack Drury grabbed one back with 5:05 left.
It was not the Avalanche's night though, as Alexander Romanov and a second Holmstrom goal iced things off and allowed the Islanders to come away with the win. It is five victories on the bounce for New York, and eight from their last 10. As for Colorado, it was their fourth loss in their last five outings.