Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3 Detroit Red Wings
In what was a crucial game for both teams, the Columbus Blue Jackets came out on top with a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. After a scoreless first period, where the Red Wings had 19 shots, Columbus went in front five minutes into the second. Denton Mateychuk put his team ahead
The Red Wings would level on a power play with 6:54 left in the second, when Alex DeBrincat converted to tie things up. By the end of the period, however, Detroit found themselves two goals down, as Dmitri Voronkov and Matthieu Olivier scored 32 seconds apart to give the Blue Jackets some breathing room.
To Detroit's credit, they did not turn over and take the loss without a fight. Patrick Kane got one back three and a half minutes into the final frame, before DeBrincat scored his second with 3:24 left in regulation. Unfortunately for the Red Wings, Columbus refused to lose the game. Justin Danforth put the hosts back ahead a minute after conceding again. Then, Adam Fantilli iced the game with 68 seconds left with an empty netter.
A fourth win on the spin put Columbus in sole possession of seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. The result saw them go two points ahead of the Red Wings, who are now in eighth place on 66 points. It is back-to-back losses for them, but they are still holding onto a postseason birth for now.
Washington Capitals 1-3 Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning continued their winning ways with a 3-1 victory away to the Washington Capitals. Jakob Chychrun thought he put the hosts in front after 5:40, but a successful coach challenge saw the goal chalked off. The Lightning would make the most of their reprieve, scoring with 2:49 left in the frame to go ahead through Mitchell Chaffee.
After a middle period without goals, the Lightning doubled their lead with 13:52 left, as Gage Goncalves got his second of the season. With four minutes to go, the Capitals got on the board, as captain Alex Ovechkin hit his 31st of the season. The 'Great 8' is now 11 goals behind Wayne Gretzky for the all-time scoring record. That was the best it got for Washington, as Brandon Hagel added one more near the end to give Tampa the win.
The Bolts have now won eight in a row, and are up to fourth place in the East. Despite a three-game losing skid, the Caps are still in possession of top spot in the conference, seven points ahead of the Florida Panthers.