Buffalo Sabres 2-3 New York Rangers
The New York Rangers (15-12-1) had to show their mettle in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres (11-14-4) in an all-New York clash. The Rangers opened the scoring after seven minutes through Mika Zibanejad on the power play. It took the centre just eight seconds of the man advantage to capitalise and put his team in front with his sixth goal of the year.
After a scoreless second period, the guests doubled their lead with six and a half minutes left as Reilly Smith (6) found the net. Just 100 seconds later, the Sabres would get on the scoresheet as Owen Power (4) halved the deficit. The difference-making goal would come with 2:02 left, as Adam Fox, who assisted on the first two goals, got one of his own on an empty net. That was also his first goal this season.
Despite a Tage Thompson (16) goal with under a minute left, the Rangers held on for a crucial victory. The result puts New York into a playoff spot, as they jump up to seventh in the Eastern Conference. For Buffalo, they remain second bottom, with the defeat being their eighth in a row.
Ottawa Senators 5-1 Anaheim Ducks
A Drake Batherson (12) hat-trick did the job for the Ottawa Senators (13-13-2) as they beat the Anaheim Ducks (10-13-4) by a 5-1 scoreline. Noah Gregor (3) opened the scoring after 2:55, and then Batherson took over. Both of his goals in the first period - one at the midway point and one near the end - came on power plays. He completed his hat-trick with 9:30 to go in the second period.
At that point, the Senators were already 4-0 up and looked rather comfortable. Brady Tkachuk (14) added a fifth after nine minutes of play in the third period, with Batherson turning provider. The only negative for them was that they were unable to maintain the shutout, which would have been Linus Ullmark's second of the season. Cutter Gauthier (4) got Anaheim's only marker with 7:18 to play.
In the end, the Senators prevailed to go to fifth in the Atlantic Division, just two points from a playoff spot. The Ducks remain bottom of the Pacific Division, with the defeat being their fourth in a row.