The Winnipeg Jets maintained their first-place spot in the Central Division, despite splitting two games to open up their unofficial second half of the NHL season. They got back on track with some late-game heroics in Boston on Tuesday, as Kyle Connor was the hero late in regulation, scoring consecutive goals just 34 seconds apart to give his team the lead late. They then went on to top the Boston Bruins in a shootout, 4-3. Connor also scored the lone goal of the shootout, while Connor Hellebuyck shut out the Bruins to end the third, along with the entirety of overtime and the shootout.
Josh Morissey also found the back of the net for the Jets, who got two assists from Mark Schefele in the road win. This victory helps them avenge a loss Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers, which was their first game back from the All-Star break. Before Monday, the Jets had not played in nine days, but just like before the break, they hold a division lead on the Nashville Predators. Patrice Bergeron scored twice, while David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Jets will be back at it on their home ice Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, while the Bruins will host the Flyers that same night.
The Buffalo Sabres are also within striking distance in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and they helped themselves on the road Thursday night. Connor Sheary scored early in the third period, as the Sabres got past the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-4, to pull within two points of the final Wild Card spot in the East. Sheary's game-winner snapped an 11-game goal drought, finding the back of the net on a tip-in with 2:12 to play in regulation. He finished with a goal and an assist, as did Evan Rodrigues for Buffalo, who had dropped four of their past five games coming in to play. Carter Hutton finished with 33 saves on the night between the pipes, getting his first win since January 8th.
This game was Artemi Panarin's first contest in front of his home crowd since his agent told the team that he would not discuss his contract until after the season. The former Chicago Blackhawks forward will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Panarin was not available for interview after the game, this comes after he received resounding boos from the home crowd. at Nationwide Arena. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson had a goal and an assist apiece, while Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves in the loss. The Sabres will be back home on Friday night to host the Chicago Blackhawks.
Josh Morissey also found the back of the net for the Jets, who got two assists from Mark Schefele in the road win. This victory helps them avenge a loss Monday against the Philadelphia Flyers, which was their first game back from the All-Star break. Before Monday, the Jets had not played in nine days, but just like before the break, they hold a division lead on the Nashville Predators. Patrice Bergeron scored twice, while David Pastrnak had a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who hold the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Jets will be back at it on their home ice Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, while the Bruins will host the Flyers that same night.
The Buffalo Sabres are also within striking distance in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, and they helped themselves on the road Thursday night. Connor Sheary scored early in the third period, as the Sabres got past the Columbus Blue Jackets, 5-4, to pull within two points of the final Wild Card spot in the East. Sheary's game-winner snapped an 11-game goal drought, finding the back of the net on a tip-in with 2:12 to play in regulation. He finished with a goal and an assist, as did Evan Rodrigues for Buffalo, who had dropped four of their past five games coming in to play. Carter Hutton finished with 33 saves on the night between the pipes, getting his first win since January 8th.
This game was Artemi Panarin's first contest in front of his home crowd since his agent told the team that he would not discuss his contract until after the season. The former Chicago Blackhawks forward will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. Panarin was not available for interview after the game, this comes after he received resounding boos from the home crowd. at Nationwide Arena. Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson had a goal and an assist apiece, while Sergei Bobrovsky had 29 saves in the loss. The Sabres will be back home on Friday night to host the Chicago Blackhawks.
