Buffalo Sabres 5-6 Detroit Red Wings (shootout)
The Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres faced off in a game between two struggling sides of late. The pair were on a run of five and six straight losses, respectively, meaning that a win was important for both.
A frenzy of a first period saw five goals, starting with Zach Benson's opener just 98 seconds in. Just three minutes later though, and the Sabres would be behind. Alex De Brincat and Andrew Copp scored 41 seconds apart, and just like that, the Red Wings were ahead, all of this inside five minutes of the first period.
Buffalo would regain the lead by the end of the first period through Tage Thompson and Jason Zucker. Yet, Detroit would respond 65 seconds into the second period through Lucas Raymond. A little over a minute later, and the Wings would be behind yet again, this time via Nicolas Aube-Kubel. Zucker got his second goal midway through the second, and suddenly the Sabres were up 5-3.
The visitors showed their mettle though, as they once again came from behind to tie the game up. With 9:33 left in regulation, Copp scored his second to cut the lead in half. Five minutes later, Moritz Seider levelled the score. That was the final scoring action, with overtime still being unable to settle the two teams. In the shootout, Raymond and Dylan Larkin scored their attempts, which was enough for the Red Wings to win 2-1 there.
The win in the shootout put Detroit level with Buffalo on 26 points. Despite being third and second bottom in the Eastern Conference, the pair are just three points back of the New York Rangers for the last playoff spot. Of course, there is still plenty of time to go in the season. For the Sabres though, this is their seventh loss in a row.
New York Rangers 1-2 Chicago Blackhawks
The quietest game of the night came in New York, as the Rangers fell 2-1 to the struggling Chicago Blackhawks. Tyler Bertuzzi opened the scoring after 8:10 of play. That was his sixth goal of the year. With less than a minute to go in the first, Will Cuylle drew New York level despite his team being shorthanded.
Taylor Hall put Chicago back in front six minutes into the second period, and this time for good. In fact, the Blackhawks outshot the Rangers in both the second and third periods, despite the latter being behind for most of that time. In the end, Arvind Soderblom managed a 0.967 save percentage, which was enough for the Blackhawks to come out on top.
The win ends a run of five losses in a row for Chicago. It also puts them off the foot of the standings, as they jumped ahead of the Nashville Predators in the Eastern Conference. As for the Rangers, they lost out on getting sole possession of eighth spot in the conference, and will not be in action again until Thursday. By then, they could be on the outside looking in for the playoff places.
Montreal Canadiens 3-2 Anaheim Ducks (shootout)
The Montreal Canadiens, who have also had a poor year, got past the Anaheim Ducks in a close game. The Habs went in front courtesy of Patrik Laine on a power play 2:36 into the game. Troy Terry then turned things around for the Ducks, tying the score midway through the first, before firing his side in front at the 4:25 mark of the second period.
The Ducks' lead would last a mere 11 seconds, as Laine and Juraj Slafkovsky played provider for Kirby Dach to level the game at 2-2. That would be it for scoring in this one, with neither being able to find the breakthrough. The shootout would not last long either, as Laine and Cole Caufield converted for the Habs. Meanwhile, Mason McTavish and Terry both failed for the Ducks, allowing Montreal to win 2-0 in the shootout.
Anaheim remain last in the Pacific Division, likewise the Canadiens in the Atlantic Division. The victory was a huge moral boost for the Canadiens, who have conceded the third most goals in the NHL, while scoring the second-fewest.
