New Jersey Devils 3-4 Vancouver Canucks (SO)
A dramatic game in New Jersey went the way of the Vancouver Canucks as they survived the Devils in a shootout.
Pius Suter put the guests in front just past the midpoint of the opening period. The hosts would respond at almost the exact same time of the second period, through Timo Meier. The third period was when the drama truly occurred.
With nine minutes left in regulation, Meier got his second of the game to put his team in the lead for the first time in the game. Their advantage only lasted 45 seconds though, as Jonathan Lekkerimaki nodded things up at two moments later. Then, with 6:35 left, Erik Haula regained the lead for the Devils. However, just as it seemed like they were going to walk away with a crucial win, Suter added his second of the game with 36 seconds remaining.
After overtime solved nothing, a shootout was required to determine the winner. Jake DeBrusk converted the Canucks' first penalty to put them ahead after round one. Jesper Bratt scored his in the second round, making it 1-1. After Meier, Suter, and Luke Hughes failed to score theirs, Lekkerimaki ended the game with his shot in the fourth round.
Vancouver are now just three points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference, picking up their 33rd win on the year. For the Devils, who have now lost their last three, they remain in sixth spot in the East.
New York Islanders 3-4 Columbus Blue Jackets (SO)
Despite going behind twice in the game, the Columbus Blue Jackets found a way to beat New York Islanders in a penalty shootout.
The hosts went in front through Pierre Engvall 13 minutes into the opening frame. They doubled their advantage just before the first intermission as Kyle Palmieri made it 2-0.
The Jackets got on the board five and a half minutes into the second via Adam Fantilli. Then, with less than three minutes to go in the middle frame, Bonne Jenner got the equaliser in a shorthanded situation. Yet, Columbus still went into the locker rooms behind as Anders Lee scored to put New York back in front.
It took Kirill Marchenko nearly 13 minutes in the final period to tie things back up as the visitors refused to give up. The game would ultimately go to a shootout, where Fantilli was the only one to convert his attempt, giving the Blue Jackets the victory in an incredible effort.
This result could prove to be quite crucial as the Jackets are now two points off the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff berth in the East. In between them and eighth spot are the Islanders and New York Rangers, both on 74 points. It also ended Columbus' six-game losing skid.
In Monday's other two NHL games, the Detroit Red Wings had five different scorers in their 5-1 victory over Utah. That result keeps the Red Wings in the running for a playoff spot in the East.
As for the Dallas Stars, they enjoyed a 3-0 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Stars have now won three of their last four as they take sole possession of second spot in the West.