SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Brad Marchand made a memorable Florida debut, assisting on Sam Bennett’s game-winning goal with 41.1 seconds left in overtime as the Panthers edged the Utah Hockey Club 2-1 on Friday night.
Bennett scored both goals for Florida, first finding the net in the second period with assists from Mackie Samoskevich and Aleksander Barkov. Utah responded early in the third when Sean Durzi netted his third goal of the season.
With the victory, Florida reclaimed the top spot in the Atlantic Division, improving to 44-25-3 with 91 points—one ahead of Toronto and two ahead of Tampa Bay. All three teams have 10 games left, with the Panthers set to face the Maple Leafs twice and the Lightning once in the closing stretch.
HURRICANES 4, CANADIENS 1
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Sebastian Aho and Taylor Hall scored just 2:24 apart in the second period, powering Carolina to a win over struggling Montreal.
Jackson Blake contributed a goal and two assists, Andrei Svechnikov also found the net, and Seth Jarvis recorded two assists as the Hurricanes secured their 10th victory in 12 games. Goaltender Frederik Andersen made 14 saves in the win.
Josh Anderson scored the lone goal for Montreal, extending the Canadiens’ losing streak to five games (0-3-2). Sam Montembeault stopped 21 shots in the defeat.
BLUE JACKETS 7, CANUCKS 6 (SO)
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Boone Jenner scored twice, and Kent Johnson netted the only goal of the shootout as Columbus overcame multiple multi-goal deficits to edge Vancouver, moving into a tie for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Blue Jackets found themselves in a 3-0 hole just 14 minutes into the game but rallied to tie it by the second period. Vancouver responded with two quick goals to go up 5-3 before Columbus clawed back once again.
Jenner, who also added an assist, has now scored in three consecutive games. With the victory, Columbus sits level with Montreal at 75 points in the race for the second wild-card spot.
It marked the first time since 2016 that Columbus has come back from a 3-0 first-period deficit to win.
Dante Fabbro recorded a goal and two assists, while Mathieu Olivier, Denton Mateychuk, and Kirill Marchenko each contributed a goal and an assist for Columbus. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves.
JETS 4, DEVILS 0
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (AP) — Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 24 shots he faced for his NHL-leading seventh shutout of the season, as Winnipeg cruised past New Jersey to secure their 50th win and reclaim the league’s top spot in the standings.
Alex Iafallo scored twice, Mark Scheifele added a goal and an assist, and David Gustafsson also found the net. The Jets, now 59-19-4, moved one point ahead of Eastern Conference-leading Washington.
Winnipeg wasted no time taking control, as Iafallo struck just 58 seconds into the game, followed by Gustafsson’s goal at 1:52. Iafallo later converted on the power play in the second period, and Scheifele netted his 36th goal of the season to seal the win.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS 5, BLACKHAWKS 3
CHICAGO (AP) — Pavel Dorofeyev broke a late tie with a power-play goal with 3:10 remaining, lifting Vegas to a comeback win over Chicago and extending their winning streak to five games.
Victor Olofsson scored twice for the Golden Knights, who overcame Ryan Donato’s first career hat trick for the Blackhawks.
Mark Stone added a goal and an assist, Brett Howden sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, and William Karlsson dished out three assists for Vegas. Goaltender Adin Hill finished with 18 saves.
DUCKS 5, RANGERS 4 (OT)
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mason McTavish delivered the game-winner just 59 seconds into overtime, capping a dramatic comeback as Anaheim rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final six minutes of regulation to stun New York.
Olen Zellweger tied the game with 1:45 left before McTavish netted his 20th goal off a pass from Jackson LaCombe to complete the Ducks’ comeback.
Leo Carlsson notched a goal and three assists, marking the former No. 2 overall pick’s first career four-point game. Cutter Gauthier added a goal, while Alex Killorn scored short-handed. Lukas Dostal turned away 27 shots for Anaheim, which is set to miss the playoffs for the seventh straight season.
J.T. Miller, Alexis Lafrenière, and Adam Fox each recorded a goal and an assist for New York, which has now dropped five of its last six games.
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