New Jersey Devils 2-4 Dallas Stars
In a thrilling encounter in New Jersey, the Devils fell 4-2 to the visiting Dallas Stars. The guests went in front 3:58 through Yevgeni Dadonov. Less than two minutes later, the lead was doubled, as Thomas Harley converted on a power play. That capped the scoring in the opening period, with the Devils coming up empty despite outshooting their opponents 20-13.
The goals would not return until the third period, as things started to get interesting. With exactly 10 minutes to play, Jack Hughes netted his first of two goals in the game to halve the deficit. That would last for a mere 35 seconds, as Matt Duchene restored Dallas' two-goal advantage.
However, the Devils were not done yet. A minute and change after conceding for a third time, Hughes scored again. Just as was the case for his first goal, Jesper Brett and Dougie Hamilton were awarded with the assists. That set up an enticing final 8:20 which saw the hosts try to find a leveler. Unfortunately for them, that never came. The Stars would add one more in the final seconds via Wyatt Johnston on an empty.
Dallas remain second in the Western Conference, nine points back of the Winnipeg Jets, who won 4-3 in a shootout against the St. Louis Blues. As for the Devils, they go down to fifth spot in the East.
Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 Carolina Hurricanes
The Toronto Maple Leafs ended up grinding out a 6-3 home victory over the visiting Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs scored early and often in the opening frame, as Alex Steeves and Pontus Holmberg put them two to the good just three and a half minutes in. David Kampf made it three after 6:39. The onslaught for the Canes would not stop there, as John Tavares made it 4-0 with 4:54 left in the period. Despite having just 13 shots in the first 20 minutes, Toronto found the net four times.
The second period did not produce any goals, and fans at the Scotiabank Arena had to wait until the 12:25 mark of the third for the next goal. That was when Carolina finally got on the scoreboard, as Shayne Gostisbehere got one back for them. Two minutes later, Andrei Svechnikov added a second, and just like that, the Hurricanes were back in it. Twenty seconds later, Jaccob Slavin made it 4-3, setting up a grandstand finale, or so they thought.
Despite being outshot 58-30, efficiency proved to be crucial for the hosts. With 1:23 left in the game, Auston Matthews scored an empty netter to give the Leafs a little more comfort. The Hurricanes still tried after that to force overtime, but the game was put beyond doubt with 20 seconds to play, as Holmberg grabbed his second of the night.
The win saw Toronto jump ahead of Carolina for fourth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. It was the Maple Leafs' fourth win out of their last five. It was the exact opposite for the Hurricanes, who fell for the fourth time in their last five outings.