Detroit Red Wings 4-2 Washington Capitals
The Detroit Red Wings got the better of the Washington Capitals in what was a surprise result in Michigan.
In a first period that saw five of the game's six goals scored, it was the Red Wings who got off to a fast start. Alex DeBrincat fired his team ahead 3:19 into the game. Three minutes later, Patrick Kane doubled Detroit's lead via a power play.
The Caps had to wake up, and fast. Alexander Ovechkin found the back of the net with 7:56 left to play in the opening frame, giving his team hope. However, it seldom took the hosts long to add a third, with De Brincat adding his second of the game. Kane got the assist on that goal, with the helper being his 1,300th point in the NHL. Lucas Raymond scored the Red Wings' fourth goal of the period less than two minutes later to put them in a commanding position.
The rest of the game saw the Capitals try to overturn the deficit, but they could not get it right in the end. Despite outshooting Detroit 48 to 42, the home team held on for a win, despite Nic Dowd adding what turned out to be a consolation midway through the third period.
The Wings are still second-bottom in the Eastern Conference, with the victory being their 11th of the year. Washington remain second in the East with the loss, having had the chance to pass the New Jersey Devils for top spot.
Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 New York Islanders
The Pittsburgh Penguins edged the New York Islanders 3-2 at home.
They did not have it easy though, despite going ahead early on through Anthony Beauvillier after 3:54. That was the only goal of the period, with Pittsburgh scoring a second 96 seconds into the next period through Michael Bunting.
Sidney Crosby, who assisted in the second goal, passed Mario Lemieux for the most assists for the team all-time with that being his 1,034th helper. Phillip Tomasino added a third for the Penguins with 13:03 left in the game, seemingly putting the game out of reach. However, the Islanders were not going to go down without a fight.
Anders Lee found the goal twice in the space of three of a half minutes in the second half of the third period to make things very interesting near the end. Unfortunately for New York, that was the closest they got, as they just could not find an equaliser.
Pittsburgh close the gap to one point on the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as a result of their win. The Islanders remain 13th in the East, five points off eighth spot.