Thursday in the NHL | Bruins secure Presidents’ Trophy

Bruins win 2-1 against Blue Jackets

David Pastrnak played heroes in overtime as the Boston Bruins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 on Thursday night.

Thanks to 53^e goal of Pastrnak’s campaign, the Bruins secured the Presidents’ Trophy and signed a 58^e win, which is a team record.

In overtime, Hampus Lindholm served the winning pass to Pastrnak, who hit the target on a backhand shot.

The Bruins broke a tie with the 1970-71 team for the most wins in a season and came within four wins of the NHL record, jointly held by the Detroit Red Wings (1995-96) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2018-19).

Tyler Bertuzzi scored on the power play as Linus Ullmark made 25 saves for Boston, which has won eight of its last nine games.

Jack Roslovic replied for the Blue Jackets, who have lost six of their last eight games. Michael Hutchinson stopped 29 shots.

Ken Powtak, Associated Press

Erik Haula and Timo Meier secure Devils victory

Erik Haula and Timo Meier hit the target as the New Jersey Devils edged the New York Rangers 2-1 on Thursday night.

Vitek Vanecek made three important saves in the third period to confirm the Devils’ victory in this duel involving two teams that could face each other in the first round of the playoffs.

Vanecek finished the encounter with 22 saves to get a 30^e victory this season.

The Devils extended their lead to four points over the second-place Rangers in the Metropolitan Division with two weeks left in the season.

Chris Kreider scored his 33^e goal of the season for the Rangers, who have only suffered a third defeat in their last 11 outings (8-2-1).

Igor Shesterkin continued his excellent work in front of the net for the Rangers, stopping 29 pucks in front of a full house at the Prudential Center.

Tom Canavan, Associated Press

Maroon scores twice in Tampa Bay win over Washington

Pat Maroon scored twice in the third period and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Washington Capitals 5-1 on Thursday.

His fifth goal of the campaign made it 4-1, before Erik Cernak sent the puck into an empty net.

Steven Stamkos provided a goal and an assist.

Accomplice of the net of Alex Killorn, midway through the first period, he added a 32^e goal shortly before the first intermission.

Andrei Vasilevskiy made 30 saves.

The Lightning have won two in a row, having dropped four in a row.

For the Capitals, Craig Smith scored and Darcy Kuemper stopped 29 shots.

Beaten for the third straight time, the Capitals are seven points behind the Penguins in the race for the last playoff spot in the East.

TJ Oshie left the rink at the first intermission with an upper body injury. He did not return to the match afterwards.

John Kreiser, Associated Press

Penguins blank Predators 2-0

Tristan Jarry made 27 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0 on Thursday.

Playing a 200^e career game, Jarry notably stopped Philip Tomasino on a breakaway, early in the third period.

Jason Zucker tallied a 26^e goal in the middle period and Jake Guentzel added a net on the power play in the third period.

The Penguins hold onto the last available playoff spot in the East, one point ahead of the Florida Panthers. Pittsburgh has a game in hand.

The Penguins will play again Saturday at 3 p.m. at home against the Boston Bruins.

Juuse Saros blocked 43 shots for the Predators, who have lost three of their last four games.

Will Graves, Associated Press

Jake Walman assures victory in extremis for the Red Wings at the end of the game

Defenseman Jake Walman scored with 3.2 seconds left in the third period on Thursday to give the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

Walman grabbed Andrew Copp’s pass near the blue line and then hit the target with a wrist shot.

Dominik Kubalik and captain Dylan Larkin also scored for the Red Wings.

Larkin dominates his own with 28 goals including 15 in superiority, like Thursday.

Alex Nedeljkovic blocked 31 shots-he flinched against Brent Burns and Jaccob Slavin 3:36 apart in the second period.

Frederik Andersen made 19 saves after going 10-0-1 against the Red Wings.

The Hurricanes’ next game is Saturday night in Montreal.

The Red Wings will be back in action Friday night in Winnipeg.

Associated Press