New York Rangers 2-3 Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins had to come from behind twice at the New York Rangers. They would ulimately do so in a 3-2 win. The first period saw one goal eight and a half minutes in as Vincent Trocheck put the home team in front. Despite being outshot 16-8 in the opening frame, it was the Rangers in front at intermission.
The Penguins responded early in the second, as Blake Lizotte tied things up. Only a minute and change later, New York would go back on top courtesy of Adam Fox. The Rangers' lead remained until the midway point of the period, where Richard Rakell restored parity. Then, almost three minutes later, Phillip Tomasino got the go-ahead goal from a power play.
Despite peppering the Pittsburgh goal in the final 20 minutes, the Rangers could not find their equaliser. The Penguins held on for a pivotal win in their playoff hopes. While they sit third from bottom in the Eastern Conference, they are just six points back of the Detroit Red Wings for the final postseason place. As for the Rangers, they are a point ahead of their opponents, having played two games less. The win was also Pittsburgh's 16th in regulation, with only the Philadelphia Flyers (14) doing worse.
Winnipeg Jets 4-3 New York Islanders
A dominant second period from the Winnipeg Jets made the difference as they topped the New York Islanders 4-3. It took Simon Holmstrom 65 seconds to give the guests an early lead. Alex Iafallo responded a few minutes later to level the score. Still, the Jets found themselves behind again later on in the period, as Marc Gatcomb put the Islanders back ahead.
The second period was all Winnipeg, as they got three unanswered in the frame. Gabriel Vilardi scored 4:23 in to tie it up, before Nikolaj Ehlers found the back of the net to put the hosts in the lead for the first time in the game. Vilardi was again on the scoresheet as the forward added his second towards the end of the period.
Despite Kevin Palmeri adding a third for New York, they could not come any closer in this one. Half of their shots in the whole game came in the final 20 minutes, but they just could not return to level pegging. The Jets are on a seven-game winning streak, sitting nine points clear at the top of the West. As for the Islanders, they are on the outside looking in regarding a playoff place in the east.