Montreal Canadiens right wing Sven Andrighetto (left) and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby vie for the puck during the second period. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports
The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 to extend their winning streak to six games at the National Hockey League on Saturday. The win was Montreal’s first in regulation win over the Penguins (24-10-5) in Pittsburgh since March 12, 2011, and moved them one point past the Penguins and the idle New York Islanders atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Canadiens (26-11-2) had four goal-scorers including Max Pacioretty who netted his 16th of the season.
Predators 7, Kings 6 (Overtime)
Defenseman Roman Josi scored 18 seconds into overtime and the Nashville Predators defeated the Los Angeles Kings. Nashville (25-9-3) took over the lead in the NHL’s Central Division with 53 points, one more than the Chicago Blackhawks, and won for the sixth time in eight games.
Dwight King scored twice for the Kings (19-12-9) in an explosive affair.
Rangers 6, Sabres 1
The New York Rangers scored four times in the first period and never looked back in a drubbing of the Buffalo Sabres.
Derick Brassard, Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, Carl Hagelin and Jesper Fast and defenseman Dan Boyle scored for the Rangers (21-11-4), who have won 10 of 11.
Stars 7, Wild 1
Dallas Stars centers Vernon Fiddler had two goals and Tyler Seguin a goal and an assist, and goaltender Kari Lehtonen stopped 21 shots in a win against the Minnesota Wild.
The Stars (18-14-5) won their fourth straight and finished their homestand a perfect 3-0-0. Minnesota (18-15-4) got its lone goal from left winger Thomas Vanek late in the second period as the Wild was on the power play.
Coyotes 6, Blue Jackets 3
Arizona center Sam Gagner scored two of the Coyotes’ season-high three power-play goals and center Martin Hanzal had a goal and three assists in a victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Goaltender Mike Smith made 23 saves for the Coyotes (15-19-4), who played the first game of a season-long six-game homestand.
Jets 5, Maple Leafs 1
The Jets took another step toward NHL playoff hockey returning to Winnipeg for the first time since 1996 with a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Winnipeg improved their record to 20-12-7. The Leafs, meanwhile, fell to 21-16-3.
Senators 3, Bruins 2 (Overtime)
The Ottawa Senators, hoping to mount a march into the Eastern Conference playoff picture, rallied for an overtime victory over the Boston Bruins.
After left winger Mike Hoffman tied the game with 4:15 left in regulation, right winger Bobby Ryan converted a pass from defenseman Erik Karlsson 44 seconds into overtime to give the Sens their second win in Boston in less than a month. The Bruins fell back under the overall .500 mark at 19-15-5.