Buffalo Sabres 2-5 Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins did their damage in the second period of their 5-2 victory away to the Buffalo Sabres in a game many will not forget anytime soon.
It was the hosts who went in front though, as Owen Powers got the only goal of the opening period with less than five minutes left.
The Penguins responded and responded swiftly. Richard Rakell would need just 101 seconds in the second period to tie the score, before Anthony Beauvillier put his team ahead 27 seconds later. Later on in the period, Cody Glass converted a power play to put Pittsburgh up 3-1. That was all the scoring in the period, where the guests were in a good spot.
Bryan Rust added a fourth 69 seconds into the final frame, putting the game out of reach for the Sabres. Zach Benson did get a goal back for them with 5:14 left in regulation. Then, the most incredible moment of the night occurred, when the Penguins' goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic shot from one end to the other to score his first NHL goal. Having assisted on the third goal, the 29-year-old became the first goaltender in NHL history to have a goal and an assist in the same game.
The win puts Pittsburgh on 46 points, three back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo remain at the bottom of the conference, with this being their second defeat in three games.
Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 Las Vegas Golden Knights
The Carolina Hurricanes came from behind to top the Las Vegas Golden Knights 3-2 at home.
After a scoreless opening period, Tomas Hertl got the game's opening goal 4:22 into the second to put Vegas in front. Five minutes later, Keegan Kolesar had a glorious chance to make it 2-0, but could not convert his penalty.
The Golden Knights would be made to pay, as two and a half minutes later, the Hurricanes found their leveller. Seth Jarvis got his team on level terms, with half of the game still left to play. Then, 46 seconds into the third, Jackson Blake gave the hosts the lead for the first time on the night. Jarvis got his second a few minutes later to put Carolina in a great spot.
Shea Theodore grabbed a goal back for the Golden Knights with 10 minutes left in regulation time. However, that was the closes the guests would go, as they could not break down the Carolina defence again, ultimately succumbing to defeat.
The Hurricanes go into fourth spot with the win, eight points off the leaders of the Eastern Conference, the Washington Capitals. The victory ended a run of two straight losses for them. As for Vegas, they stay tied for second in the Eastern Conference on 61 points, four back of the Winnipeg Jets in the West.