Chicago Blackhawks 3-5 New Jersey Devils
In what was an important match in their playoff chase, the New Jersey Devils got the better of the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3. Nathan Bastian got the scoring going 6:23 into the game, putting the visitors in front. A mere 27 seconds later, the lead was doubled, as Timo Meier converted five seconds into a New Jersey power play.
Tyler Bertuzzi got Chicago on the scoreboard just before the end of the opening period on a man advantage. However, it would not take long for the Devils to restore their two-goal lead through Ondrej Palat on a shorthanded situation. That made it 3-1 for the away team. The Blackhawks would not go away lightly, as Ilya Mikheyev got his team's second of the game five minutes into the second.
Yet, the Devils stayed strong, getting a fourth with nine minutes to go in the middle frame. Dawson Mercer scored on that occasion, also from a power play. It would not be until the final three minutes before the hosts got another one back as Frank Nazar converted to make the final couple of minutes interesting. However, New Jersey held firm. Stefan Noesen added an empty net goal seconds before the end to wrap up the win.
Ending their three-game losing skid, the Devils are sixth in the Eastern Conference, nine points ahead of ninth spot. As for Chicago, they remain second from bottom in the West, and will be missing out on the postseason.
New York Islanders 2-5 Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks kept themselves in the playoff race with a 5-2 success over the New York Islanders. After a scoreless opening period, Kiefer Sherwood put the Canucks ahead 2:39 into the second. Three minutes later, Casey Cizikas nodded things up for the Islanders. Then, Anthony DeAngelo gave the hosts the lead midway through the period, forcing the Canucks to improve quickly.
With six minutes left in the middle frame, Aatu Raty restored parity, before Derek Forbort scored what proved to be the winner for the Canucks. A minute into the third, and it was 4-2 as Teddy Blueger piled on the misery for New York. That sparked a change in goal. In the end, Vancouver were able to ride this one out, as Sherwood added an empty netter two minutes from the end.
Winners of two straight, the Canucks are now three points off the St. Louis Blues for the final playoff place in the West. For the Islanders, who are in a push for a top eight finish themselves, they stay a point and a place behind the Montreal Canadiens in the East.