Stanley Cup Playoffs Buzz: Sabres can take over 1st in East
Colorado Avalanche 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 2
Martin Necas scored two goals for the Avalanche (47-13-10), who have won three in a row and clinched a playoff berth. Colorado is first in the Central Division, seven points ahead of the Dallas Stars. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby (assist) has five points (one goal, four assists) in four games since returning from a knee injury sustained playing for Team Canada at the Olympics. The Penguins (35-20-16) dropped to third in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind the Blue Jackets and one ahead of the fourth-place Islanders.
Tampa Bay Lightning 6, Minnesota Wild 3
The Lightning scored the final five goals of the game to move within two points of the Sabres for first in the Atlantic Division. Jake Guentzel scored his 300th NHL goal and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 20 saves and had an assist for Tampa Bay (44-21-5), which is 4-0-1 in its past five games. The Wild (40-20-12) are third in the Central, five points behind the Stars and 12 back of the Avalanche.
St. Louis Blues 3, Washington Capitals 0
Joel Hofer made 21 saves for his sixth shutout of the season for the Blues (29-30-11), who are 8-1-2 in their past 11 games and eight points behind the Predators for the second wild card from the West. The Capitals (35-28-9) are six points outside of the second wild card in the East.
Nashville Predators 6, San Jose Sharks 3
Nashville (34-28-9) became the sixth team since 2009-10 (when real-time data was officially tracked) to convert on five of its first seven shots in a game on the way to its fifth straight victory to remain the second wild card from the West, three points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings and three behind the Utah Mammoth for the first wild card. Filip Forsberg had three points (one goal, two assists) for the Predators. Will Smith scored twice for the Sharks (32-31-6), who have lost five straight and are seven points behind the Predators.
New Jersey Devils 6, Dallas Stars 4
Jack Hughes scored two goals to extend his point streak to six games (five goals, seven assists) for the Devils (36-32-2), who are 7-3-0 in their past 10 and 11 points behind the Senators. The Stars (43-17-11) have lost three straight (0-2-1) but clinched a playoff berth.
Winnipeg Jets 4, Vegas Golden Knights 1
Connor Hellebuyck made 26 saves for the Jets (30-29-12), who remain five points behind the Predators. Vegas (32-26-14) has lost four of five (1-4-0) and is one point behind the Edmonton Oilers for second in the Pacific Division and six behind the first-place Anaheim Ducks.
