Montreal Canadiens 4-1 Detroit Red Wings
The Montreal Canadiens, who have been in superb form of late, topped the visiting Detroit Red Wings 4-1 in what was a key game in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference. However, it was the visitors who got on the board first. Dylan Larkin got the only goal in the opening period to put them in front. It took the Habs a while, but they scored their equaliser later on in the second period through Cole Caufield.
Despite being outshot throughout the match, the Canadiens turned in up in the third period. Josh Andersond put them in front with 9:12 left in regulation. That proved the winner, as Detroit could not return the game to level pegging. Brendan Gallagher and Nick Suzuki added in on the Montreal goals 13 seconds apart at the end to make it 4-1.
The Habs are now on a six-game winning streak, which came at the perfect time. They are now eight points ahead of the Red Wings among others with just a few matches left. This victory has virtually locked up the final playoff spot for the Canadiens.
Dallas Stars 5-6 Vancouver Canucks (OT)
In what was a spectacular comeback, the Vancouver Canucks stunned the Dallas Stars 6-5 in overtime. Mikko Ratanen got things going with a power play goal 6:12 before the first intermission. The lead was doubled a few minutes later by Mason Marchment. When Matt Duchene added a third seven and a half minutes into the second period, there appeared to be no hope for the Canucks.
The Canucks finally shot to life in the final period, as Jake DeBrusk reduced the deficit to two 17 seconds in. Victor Mancini made it a one-goal game four minutes later as Vancouver neared parity. Mavrik Bourque and Mikael Granlund then found the back of the net within 24 seconds, the latter on an empty net. Going into the final minute, the Canucks were down 5-2 and most thought the game was over.
Yet, the Western-most Canadian team in the NHL pulled off a miracle. Aatu Raty made it 5-3, before two Pius Suter goals, one coming seven minutes before the end of regulation, forced an extra five-minute period. Then, with 1:16 left in the overtime period, Kiefer Sherwood got the game winner. What a comeback by Vancouver.
The win kept the Canucks' dangling playoff hopes alive. They are six points back of the Minnesota Wild with only a few games left. As for the Stars, losers of their last three, they stay in second four points behind the Winnipeg Jets, who they play next