Read reports from Saturday’s NHL games.
Avalanche beat Red Wings 5-1
Nathan MacKinnon broke a 1-1 tie with a burst of speed and a quality wrist shot midway through the second period on Saturday to launch the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings.
Devon Toews had allowed the Avalanche to score the first goal of the game early in the first period. Bowen Byram, on a power play, gave the visitors a two-goal lead late in the second period.
Shorthanded Lars Eller also found the back of the net early in the third period and Mikko Rantanen added his 46e goal of the season 56 seconds later.
This goal ended the day of work for goalkeeper Ville Husso, victim of five goals in only 21 shots. Magnus Hellberg replaced him and stopped both shots he received in just over 14 minutes of action.
Mackinnon also had an assist and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev blocked 33 pucks for the Avalanche (40-22-6), which won a fifth straight game for the third time this season.
Pius Suter had allowed the Red Wings to tie the score in the first period.
The Red Wings (30-29-9) have lost nine of their last 11 games, a streak that cuts their chances of making the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Larry Lage, Associated Press
Bruins beat Wild 5-2
PHOTO STACY BENGS, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Goalkeeper Linus Ullmark (35) made 29 saves to lead his team to victory.
David Pastrnak scored his 47e goal of the season and Linus Ullmark made 29 saves to guide the Boston Bruins to a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
Jake DeBrusk, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron and Trent Frederic also hit the target for the Bruins, winners of their last two meetings.
Pastrnak has six goals and seven assists in his last eight games, and ranks second in the NHL in goals behind Connor McDavid, who started the day with 57 goals.
Marcus Johansson and Oskar Sundqvist, both acquired at the trade deadline, provided the Wild’s cue. Filip Gustavsson blocked 34 pucks.
With 14 games left, the Bruins (52-11-5 -109 points) hope to surpass NHL records for most wins in a season (62) and number of points in the standings (132).
The Detroit Red Wings (1995-1996) and the Tampa Bay Lightning (2018-2019) share the mark for most wins in a season. The 1976-77 edition of the Montreal Canadiens (60-8-12) holds the record with 132 points, achieved in 80 games.
For their part, the Wild, who started the day one point behind the Dallas Stars and two ahead of the Colorado Avalanche at the top of the Central Division standings, had not lost in regulation since February 15 against the ‘Avalanche. The Wild were 11-0-3 in their previous 14 outings.
Brian Hall, Associated Press