Denver — With 10-to-12 games remaining in the regular season for most teams, players have begun perusing the standings with renewed interest.
The Colorado Avalanche, who held off the Detroit Red Wings 5-3 on Saturday, have become avid readers.
PHILADELPHIA'S ROMAN CECHMANEK saves a shot by New York Ranger Jan Hlavac on Saturday.
Shjon Podein and Ray Bourque scored goals in the final 2:27 in a matchup of the NHL's two best teams.
With the win, Colorado extended its lead over Detroit to six points (103-97) in the race for the league's top record and home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
"Everyone understood the importance of this game," Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said. "The players know what is at stake. They look at the standings every day. We understand the importance of getting as many wins as possible right now.
"If we can secure first place with a couple of games left, then maybe we can rest some of our key people. But there are still too many games to think about this yet."
Blue Jackets 3, Islanders 3
Columbus, Ohio Dave Scatchard and Bill Muckalt scored third-period goals as the Islanders rallied to tie Columbus. Kevin Dineen and Robert Kron scored in a 45-second span in the second period as the Blue Jackets moved out to a 3-1 lead. Scatchard scored on a tip-in at 1:09 of the third period and Muckalt tied the game at 8:40 when he redirected the puck from the slot after taking a centering pass from Claude Lapointe on a 2-on-1 rush.
Predators 4, Coyotes 1
Nashville, Tenn. Mike Dunham made 30 saves and Patric Kjellberg finished with a goal and an assist for Nashville. Scott Walker, Cliff Ronning and Vitali Yachmenev also scored for Nashville, which won for the second time in six games.
Bruins 3, Canadiens 2
Montreal Sergei Samsonov scored two first-period goals and Eric Weinrich added a power-play goal against his former team as Boston moved within one point of idle Carolina in the race for the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Sabres 3, Capitals 2
Washington Martin Biron stopped 42 shots in a rare start and Chris Gratton scored the tiebreaking goal with 10:34 left as Buffalo dealt Washington its third straight home loss.
Lightning 5, Penguins 1
Tampa, Fla. Tampa Bay scored twice short-handed and Kevin Weekes allowed only a Mario Lemieux goal as the Lightning beat Pittsburgh.
Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 3
Sunrise, Fla. Aki Berg's first goal of the season was the game-winner as Toronto overcame a hat trick by Florida's Pavel Bure.
Kings 1, Sharks 0, OT
Los Angeles Bryan Smolinski scored 40 seconds into overtime and Felix Potvin earned his 16th career shutout in the Los Angeles Kings' 1-0 victory over San Jose on Saturday.
Flyers 2, Rangers 1
Philadelphia Goaltender Roman Cechmanek got standing ovations for his play, and Dan McGillis scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period.
Flames 2, Blues 2
Calgary, Alberta Jarome Iginla scored with 5.4 seconds left in the third period as the Calgary Flames rallied to tie the St. Louis Blues.
No comments
Commenting is turned off for this story.