National Hockey League Game Capsules
Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) – John Tavares tied the game late in the third period and won it in overtime with an impressive sequence, powering the New York Islanders to a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Friday. Tavares lifted the stick of Devils defenseman Adam Larsson below the goal line to acquire the puck, moved in on net and finished the play with a wrister past the blocker of Keith Kinkaid for the win. Tavares also assisted on a goal by Josh Bailey and Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves in his sixth straight start for the Islanders, who ended a two-game skid. Travis Zajac and Scott Gomez lit the lamp for the Devils, who earned a point after being held to just 14 shots in Thursday’s 3-0 loss at Boston. Kinkaid turned aside 28 shots in defeat.
Final Score: Toronto 5, Columbus 2
Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) – James van Riemsdyk had two goals with one assist to help the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Daniel Winnik each registered a goal and one assist for the Maple Leafs, who got 18 saves from Jonathan Bernier. Toronto snapped a three-game skid and posted its first win under interim head coach Peter Horachek. Ryan Johansen extended his goal streak to a career-high five games, supplying both tallies in only Columbus’ fourth loss since the start of December (12-3-1). Sergei Bobrovsky gave up four goals on 31 shots hours after signing a four-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 2, Buffalo 1
Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Steven Stamkos scored the game-winning goal late in the third period to lift the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Valtteri Filppula also scored and Ben Bishop made 20 saves for the Lightning, who have won seven of their last eight games. Cody McCormick provided a short-handed goal and Michal Neuvirth kept the Sabres in the game by stopping 45 shots in the team’s seventh straight loss.
Final Score: Florida 6, Calgary 5
Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Tomas Fleischmann scored with 3:09 remaining in the third period to lift the Florida Panthers to a 6-5 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night. Fleischmann backhanded in a rebound from the slot 45 seconds after the Flames had tied it on Matt Stajan’s second goal of the game. Brad Boyes, who had a goal and an assist for Florida, was called for slashing with 2:25 left. The Flames pulled Jonas Hiller during the subsequent power play for a 6-on-4 advantage and Brian Campbell, who gave the Panthers a 5-4 lead at 9:29 of the third, bailed out goaltender Al Montoya. The puck sat in the crease, but the veteran defenseman alertly pinned it against Montoya to trigger a whistle. Jonathan Huberdeau, Jimmy Hayes and Sean Bergenheim also scored as Florida improved to 3-1-0 on its six-game road trip. TJ Brodie also had two goals for Calgary, which concluded a six-game homestand with a third straight loss.
Final Score: Edmonton 5, Chicago 2
Edmonton, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Derek Roy finished with a goal and two assists, helping the Edmonton Oilers defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-2 on Friday night. Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov both had one goal and an assist for the Oilers, who got 19 saves from Ben Scrivens. Edmonton has gone 3-1-2 over its last six games and beat a Central Division opponent for the first time this season (1-4-5). Brandon Saad scored both goals for Chicago, which posted a 7-1 win over the Oilers in its last trip to Rexall Place on Nov. 22. Antti Raanta stopped 17 shots in the loss.
Categorized in: NHL