Kings 5, Capitals 4: Exciting game in Washington as the Caps and Kings combined to light up the scoreboard with nine goals and 80 shots in Los Angeles' 5-4 win. The Kings had a number of two-goal leads throughout the night, including a 5-3 advantage late in the third period. With just over a minute to play in regulation, Brooks Laich scored his 13th goal of the season, closing the deficit to just one. Jonathan Quick managed to hold on for the Kings in net, as Washington fired 22 shots on goal in the third period, and 45 for the game. Alex Ovechkin scored his 37th goal of the season -- and 200th of his career -- for the Capitals.
Bruins 4, Senators 3: The Bruins survived a scare in Ottawa as they pulled out a 4-3 shootout win against the Senators. Thanks to a pair of third period goals from Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza, Ottawa held a 3-2 lead until Chuck Kobasew tied the game with 4:02 remaining. The shootout ended up going five rounds, with P.J. Axelsson scoring the only goal to win it for Boston.
Panthers 3, Islanders 2: Florida continued to keep pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race thanks to its 3-2 win over the Islanders on Thursday night. Jay Bouwmeester and Karlis Skrastins opened the scoring in the first period, while Richard Zednik scored what proved to be the game-winner at the 12:39 mark of the second period. Bouwmeester now has 12 goals on the season, and as long as the Panthers remain in the hunt for a playoff spot there is no way the team can deal him. Who would have predicted that back in October?
Predators 4, Ducks 2: Corey Perry scored a pair of goals for Anaheim, but it wasn't enough to stop the Predators as they picked up a 4-2 win. Ryan Jones, Jason Arnott, Martin Erat, and Vernon Fiddler scored for Nashville, while Pekka Rinne stopped 28-of-30 shots.
Oilers 2, Blues 1: Robert Nilsson and Sam Gagner each scored in a shootout to help lead the Oilers to a 2-1 win over St. Louis. Dwayne Roloson was huge in net for Edmonton as he stopped 33-of-34 shots through overtime, and then shut the door in the shootout, denying T.J. Oshie and Brad Boyes.
Avalanche 3, Stars 2: The Stars had their five-game winning streak snapped thanks to a 3-2 decision in Colorado. Milan Hejduk picked up a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, while Cody McLeod scored the game-winner late in the third period.
Blackhawks 5, Flames 2: Andrew Ladd had a three point night as the Blackhawks scored three unanswered goals on their way to a 5-2 win in Calgary.




