Kaprizov, Eriksson Ek Lead Wild in OT Thriller
Kirill Kaprizov scored just 1:01 into overtime and Joel Eriksson Ek netted four goals as the Minnesota Wild edged the San Jose Sharks 8-7 in a wild contest. Kaprizov and Eriksson Ek made their returns from long-term injuries count, combining for six goals and four assists. Kaprizov, in his first game since January 26, added two assists, while Eriksson Ek, back for the first time since February 22, recorded just the second four-goal game in franchise history. Matt Boldy added four assists for Minnesota.
Rookie Macklin Celebrini scored a hat trick and added two assists to pace the Sharks, who have now dropped seven straight (0-5-2). Despite allowing seven goals on 31 shots, Marc-Andre Fleury picked up his 574th career win, likely in his final regular-season home start. Alexandar Georgiev allowed eight goals on 44 shots in the loss.
Brown’s Late Heroics Lift Oilers
Connor Brown scored his second goal of the game with just 20.4 seconds left in regulation to propel the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. Connor McDavid returned from injury to register three assists, including the setup on Brown’s game-winner. Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson also scored for Edmonton, which avoided a third straight defeat and pulled within two points of second place in the Pacific Division.
St. Louis saw goals from Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Kyrou, and Ryan Suter but fell for the second straight outing after a 12-game winning streak.
Gauthier’s OT Winner Seals Comeback for Ducks
Cutter Gauthier scored twice, including the overtime winner, as the Anaheim Ducks rallied past the Calgary Flames for a 4-3 win. Anaheim erased a two-goal deficit late in the third period with goals from Trevor Zegras and Frank Vatrano. Leo Carlsson added two assists, and Ville Husso made 36 saves in net.
Calgary, which is five points out of a playoff spot, got goals from Mikael Backlund, Yegor Sharangovich, and Matt Coronato. Dustin Wolf stopped 19 shots for the Flames.
Knies Completes Hat Trick as Leafs Edge Bolts
Matthew Knies notched his second career hat trick, finishing the game-winner at 2:56 of overtime as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3. Mitch Marner had a goal and two assists, and Auston Matthews posted three assists to help Toronto sweep the season series. Goalie Anthony Stolarz made 25 saves in his sixth straight win.
Tampa Bay got power-play goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Victor Hedman, along with an even-strength tally from Nick Perbix. Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves. Jake Guentzel missed the game for personal reasons.
Flyers Spoil Rangers’ Playoff Hopes
Tyson Foerster recorded his first NHL hat trick and Sean Couturier scored the go-ahead goal with 8:05 left as the Philadelphia Flyers stunned the New York Rangers 8-5. The Rangers dropped their seventh game in 11 and are now on the brink of missing the playoffs. Artemi Panarin scored his 300th NHL goal, and Vincent Trocheck added a goal, but costly defensive lapses proved too much to overcome.
The Flyers, already eliminated from playoff contention, have now won four of five under interim coach Brad Shaw.
