Read reports from Thursday’s NHL games.
An important victory for the Panthers
Veteran defenseman Marc Staal snapped a 75-game scoreless streak and captain Aleksander Barkov also scored, and the Florida Panthers beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 on Thursday in an important showdown for the Florida Panthers. last places giving access to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
The Panthers joined the Capitals with 62 points in the standings, who were 11 behind on the 1er January. The Capitals are currently ahead, having played one less game.
The Capitals were once again without their captain Alexander Ovechkin, absent due to the death of his father Mikhail. He also received a moment of silence before the start of the meeting.
In addition to Staal’s first goal since March 15, 2022, defenseman Gustav Forsling and fourth center Colin White also beat Darcy Kuemper, who allowed four goals on 34 shots. Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart scored in an empty net to close the books.
Dylan Strome scored in the second period to put the Capitals on the mark, while Nicklas Backstrom gave them a second goal in the third period. Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the Capitals’ third goal with 2:32 left in regulation.
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press
Blue Jackets win 3-1 over Jets
PHOTO RUSSELL LABOUNTY, USA TODAY SPORTS
Boone Jenner (38)
Joonas Korpisalo stopped 36 shots and Kent Johnson scored the game-winning goal as the Columbus Blue Jackets won 3-1 against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
The Blue Jackets had a bad first period in which they only had two shots on the net. Fortunately for them, they recovered well in the second period by creating the equality.
Midway through the third period, Johnson’s shot made its way into the back of the net to give the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead.
Patrik Laine also scored for the Blue Jackets and Boone Jenner confirmed the victory for his team with a goal in a gaping cage with three seconds left.
Kyle Connor netted for the Jets. In the nets, David Rittich stopped 21 shots.
Connor’s goal came on the power play in the closing seconds of the first period.
Laine scored on the power play as well, beating Rittich with a good over the shoulder shot.
Mitch Stacy, Associated Press