Read the reports of the games played Wednesday in the NHL.
Avalanche win 2-1 over Leafs
Nathan MacKinnon was the only one to move the ropes in the shootout and the Colorado Avalanche beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1 on Wednesday.
Mikko Rantanen scored in regulation time for the Avalanche, while Alexandar Georgiev was credited with 18 saves.
Morgan Rielly replied for the Maple Leafs. Ilya Samsonov made 28 saves in the 65 minutes of play.
After a spectacular extra period, MacKinnon made the difference by beating Samsonov with a nice fake in the second round of the shootout.
Georgiev then closed the door in front of Mitch Marner, confirming the victory for the visitors.
The Maple Leafs lost 4-3 at home to the Buffalo Sabers on Monday, in a game in which they squandered a 3-0 lead. This time they took an early lead, when Rielly scored after three minutes of play.
The Avalanche replied on the power play late in the period. Rantanen attempted a pass, but the puck deflected off Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe. Rantanen was credited with a 44e goal this season.
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
Capitals beat Sabers in shootout
PHOTO CAROLYN KASTER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Evgeny Kuznetsov celebrates his goal scored in the shootout.
Tom Wilson tied the game with 68 seconds left in regulation, then Evgeny Kuznetsov and TJ Oshie scored in the shootout and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabers 5-4 on Wednesday.
Wilson’s goal was the first tying or game-tying goal scored in the final two minutes by the Capitals this season. The Capitals are now two points from last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Thanks to two wins in their last three games, the Capitals are still in the running with 12 games to play, even though they liquidated several elements at the trade deadline and their list of injured players continues to grow. .
Newest on this list is defenseman Nick Jensen, who left the game in the third period and did not return.
The Capitals relied on producing their best players to defeat the Sabers. After goals from Oshie and Kuznetsov, Alexander Ovechkin reduced the lead to one goal. Wilson then created the equalizer, as the Capitals removed goaltender Charlie Lindgren in favor of an extra forward.
Lindgren held off Alex Tuch and Tage Thompson in the shootout, after making 23 saves in regulation and overtime.
Ilya Lyubushkin, JJ Peterka, Tyson Jost and Zemgus Girgensons scored for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 35 shots.
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press