BLUE JACKETS, PENGUINS REMAIN EVEN IN THE METROPOLITAN
* The Penguins surrendered a 3-0 lead in the first period, but Jake Guentzel (1-0-1) and Conor Sheary (1-1-2) scored the tying and winning goals 50 seconds apart in the third period as the Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 4-3 and improved to 20-2-2 in their past 24 home games. The Penguins came back from a three-goal deficit to win in regulation for the first time since April 5, 2016, a 5-3 win at the Ottawa Senators, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. They became the fourth team to accomplish the feat this season, joining the Nashville Predators (twice), the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers.
SUNDAY'S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps CALGARY 5, NY Islanders 2 PITTSBURGH 4, Buffalo 3 Columbus 3, NEW JERSEY 0 MINNESOTA 3, San Jose 1 Vancouver 2, ANAHEIM 1 St. Louis 3, COLORADO 0 Carolina 2, ARIZONA 1
GOALIES SHINE FOR WESTERN CONTENDERS
Strong goaltending performances helped the Minnesota Wild (42-15-6, 90 points), Calgary Flames (36-26-4, 76 points) and St. Louis Blues (32-27-5, 69 points) all make up ground in the Western Conference playoff race: * Devan Dubnyk made 20 saves for his NHL-leading 35th win of the season and Eric Staal had his fourth multigoal game of the season as the Wild overtook the Blackhawks (42-18-5, 89 points) for the top spot in the Central Division and Western Conference. Staal scored his Wild-leading seventh game-winning goal of the season and is two behind Jeff Carter of the Los Angeles Kings for the League lead. * Brian Elliott made 33 saves for his sixth straight victory while the Flames erupted for four goals in 4:40 of the first period to extend their season-long winning and point streaks to seven and nine games, respectively (8-0-1). Elliott improved to 10-1-1 with a 2.16 GAA and .927 save percentage in his past 12 decisions. The Flames moved into a tie in terms of points with the Anaheim Ducks (33-22-10, 76 points) for third place in the Pacific Division. * Jake Allen stopped all 27 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season and Paul Stastny scored the eventual game-winner 3:56 into the first period to help the Blues snap a five-game skid. The Blues leapfrogged the idle Kings (31-28-6, 68 points) to move into the final wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
LOOSE PUCKS
Richard Bachman made 43 saves to lead the Vancouver Canucks to victory in his first NHL start since Oct. 30, 2015. … Derek Ryan scored the game-winner with 3:57 remaining in the third period to help the Carolina Hurricanes end a four-game losing streak (0-2-2). … Jack Eichel scored to extend his career-long point streak to 10 games (3-10-13). … Bo Horvat reached the 20-goal plateau for the first time in the NHL. … Brandon Dubinsky had an assist for the 400th point of his NHL career. … Jaden Schwartz had an assist in his 300th NHL game.
SNEAK PEEK AT MONDAY'S ACTION
All Times Eastern NY Rangers @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m., SN, TVA Sports, SUN, MSG+, NHL.TV Boston @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m., TSN5, RDS, NESN, NHL.TV Dallas @ Washington, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN, CSN-DC, NHL.TV San Jose @ Winnipeg, 8 p.m., TSN3, CSN-CA, NHL.TV
CAPITALS LOOK TO EXTEND RECORD HOME STREAKS
The League-leading Capitals (44-13-7, 95 points) will try to extend their franchise-record home win and point streaks when they host the Dallas Stars (26-29-10, 62 points) at Verizon Center on NBCSN. The Capitals are 16-0-1, including 15 consecutive victories, in their past 17 home games. They're led by goaltender Braden Holtby, who has earned a point in each of his past 21 decisions (19-0-2), one shy of his NHL career-high and two short of the Capitals record.
