Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 New York Islanders
In Chicago, the Blackhawks got past a stubborn New York Islanders team in what was some great back-and-forth action.
The Hawks went ahead after nine minutes of play through Ilya Mikheyev. With 1:17 left in the opening stanza, Ryan Pulock levelled things at one apiece. But, just when the Islanders thought they would go into the locker rooms on even footing, Taylor Hall put the hosts back in front with 17 seconds to play.
Still, New York would not give up, and found their second leveller via Simon Holmstrom. Towards the end of the period, however, Teuvo Teravainen restored the Chicago lead, putting the Islanders back under the kosh.
To the visitors' credit, they would not back down, tying the game up for the third time within a minute of the final period. Noah Dobson restored his side's hope, making the final 19 minutes and change a very intriguing one.
But the Blackhawks were not to be stopped. Connor Bedard struck with a little less than a minute to go in regulation to put the home team back in front, and this time, it was for good. As the Islanders sent on an extra forward in an attempt to find another equaliser, Connor Murphy netted in the final seconds to seal the deal for Chicago.
The Hawks still have tons of work to do, as the win was just their 10th of the year. The victory did take them off rock bottom, which is a positive sign for them. The Islanders are 12th in the Eastern Conference, losing for the second time in their last three.
Toronto Maple Leafs 5-3 Buffalo Sabres
The Toronto Maple Leafs (19-10-2) defeated the Buffalo Sabres (11-16-4) 5-3 at home in what was a solid performance from the hosts.
They did have to show their mettle as they fell behind 2-0 inside three minutes of the game. Jack Quinn got the first of his two goals in the game just 63 seconds in. Alex Tuch added a second for the Sabres 2:46 in.
Despite going down 2-0 early on, Toronto turned things around quickly. Maxi Domi got his goal with 4:15 to go in the opening period, but midway through the second, Buffalo hit again with Quinn getting his second. Again, the Leafs were behind by two goals.
It was from here where things changed, as the home team got four unanswered goals, starting with Nick Robinson 11:20 into the second. Then, John Tavares took over the contest.
The alternate captain got the game-tying goal with 7:19 to go in the period on a power play, before finding the back of the net just 70 seconds later to put his side in front.
Buffalo could not get things going, and with 2:12 left to play in regulation, Tavares completed his hat-trick, scoring on an empty net to give the Leafs the victory.
The win puts Toronto into third place in the Eastern Conference, while Buffalo, who are now on a 10-game losing streak, sit second bottom.
St. Louis Blues 3-2 New York Rangers
The St. Louis Blues were made to sweat in the third period of their 3-2 win over the New York Rangers. In the end, the home side managed to hold on.
Pavel Buchnevich scored the opening period's only goal with a minute and change to play. Then, Jordan Kyrou doubled the lead 6:33 into the second.
With Robert Thomas adding a third for the Blues halfway through the second period, things looked bleak for the Rangers, but they showed character and made things interesting in the third period as Brett Berard and Will Cuylle got goals 79 seconds apart.
In the end, that would finish the scoring in the game, as the Rangers could not add a third in time.
St. Louis ended a two-game losing skid to go two points out of the playoff spots in the West, while New York missed the chance to go back into the top eight in the East with the loss. Still, they are only one point out.
Across the other NHL games that evening, the Carolina Hurricanes got past the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1, and the Vegas Golden Knights topped the Minnesota Wild 3-2.