Read reports from Thursday’s NHL games.
Posted at 10:15 p.m.
Updated at 10:29 p.m.
Maple Leafs win 7-3 against the Jets
Auston Matthews marked his 50and goal of the season in a clear 7-3 victory by the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
The sniper, who scored his sixth goal into an empty net, became the first Maple Leafs player to reach the prestigious mark since Dave Andreychuk in 1993-94. He had then collected 53.
William Nylander scored twice, in addition to getting an assist, and Ilya Mikheyev, who rattled the shorthanded ropes, scored his first three-pointer with the Queen City team.
Mark Giordano, who also picked up an assist, John Tavares and Timothy Liljegren also scored for the Maple Leafs (43-19-5).
In this offensive festival, Mitch Marner also distinguished himself with three assists. Erik Kallgren stopped 20 shots in the win.
Nikolaj Ehlers, Blake Wheeler and Paul Stastny found the back of the net for the Jets (33-26-10). Eric Comrie made 31 saves.
Matthews joins a select club at the Maple Leafs. Only Andreychuk, Rick Vaive (three times) and Gary Leeman have already reached 50 goals.
The Canadian Press
Kyle Palmieri secures victory for Islanders
PHOTO FRANK FRANKLIN II, ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Islanders players savor their victory after the game.
Kyle Palmieri gave the New York Islanders the lead early in the third period and they raced to a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.
Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist in the victory as Sebastian Aho, Oliver Wahlstrom and Ryan Pulock scored the other Islanders goals. The win brings New Yorkers to 7-1 in their last eight home games. A streak which, coincidentally, began with a 6-0 victory over the same Jackets on March 10.
Semyon Varlamov stopped 30 shots in his second straight start. He holds the fort in front of the net for the Islanders due to the absence of Ilya Sorokin, injured in the upper body.
Emil Bemstrom and Justin Danforth scored for the visitors as Elvis Merzlikins blocked 31 shots. The Blue Jackets suffered a fifth straight loss.
Palmieri broke a 2-2 tie at 3:16 of the third period. The 31-year-old winger outflanked his cover, Patrik Laine, before beating the keeper with a wrist shot into the upper section. On the streak, Merlikins was unable to protect the short side well and Palmieri took advantage.
Afterwards, Barzal made it 4-2 with a gem on the breakaway after rushing past two Blue Jackets defenders in the neutral zone at 9:52. Pulock completed the scoring into an empty net.
For the second straight game, the Jackets were without head coach Brad Larsen and assistant coach Steve McCarthy, both with COVID-19. It was assistant Pascal Vincent who led the team behind the bench.
Scott Charles, Associated Press
The Panthers smash their home winning record
PHOTO JASEN VINLOVE, USA TODAY SPORTS
Sergei Bobrovsky signed his third shutout of the season.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 37 shots for his third shutout of the season and led the Florida Panthers to a 4-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.
Aleksander Barkov scored twice, Gustav Forsling had a goal and an assist and Ryan Lomberg netted his fourth goal in three games.
For the Panthers, it’s a 28and home win this season, which is a new team record.
Jonathan Huberdeau obtained his 71and assist, which also sets a new NHL record for a left winger. With his 94 points, Huberdeau has joined Pavel Bure and is approaching the team record of 96 points held by his teammate Barkov.
The Panthers could officially qualify for the playoffs as early as Saturday.
Collin Delia stopped 40 shots for the Blackhawks who suffered a third straight loss.
For the first time in their history, the Panthers have six scorers with 20 or more goals in a season. Only seven teams have achieved the feat of having more than six 20-goal scorers in the past 25 NHL seasons.
In the Hawks camp, Jonathan Toews played his 1000and career game, becoming the 366and player to reach this plateau.
Paul Gereffi, Associated Press