The Columbus Blue Jackets took up residence in the eighth spot in the Western Conference when Fedor Tyutin scored 2:19 into overtime to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2. Sergei Bobrovsky made 26 saves to secure the win.
SPIN: Columbus has gone 16-4-5 since a 5-12-2 mark they had on Feburary 25th so they’ve been able to resurrect their season. Bobrovsky continues to be a sleeper candidate for the Vezina Trophy and could be a possible MVP goaltender in fantasy this season.
Calgary beat Detroit 3-2 and dealt the Red Wings’ playoff chances a tough blow as they are now ninth in the West with five games left. Steve Begin scored two of the three Calgary goals as the Flames swept Detroit this season.
SPIN: Miikka Kiprusoff made 36 saves for the win but still has minimal fantasy value at this point. Detroit went 0-for-5 on the power play and the Wings have lost four of their last five games. Johan Franzen has come on as of late but could only provide a small boost in the final days.
Buffalo beat Boston 3-2 in the shootout in a highly-emotional game. Ryan Miller made 41 saves for the Sabres in the win. Boston clinched a playoff berth by picking up the overtime point.
SPIN: Chris Kelly and Daniel Paille each had a goal and an assist for Boston but have little fantasy value. Thomas Vanek and Cody Hodgson scored for Buffalo and both have been solid contributors on an otherwise blah team.
Pittsburgh downed Montreal 6-4 with Brenden Morrow and Brandon Sutter each scoring twice.
SPIN: Pittsburgh built a 3-0 lead after the first period and didn’t look back. Peter Budaj got the start for Montreal but got pulled after the first period. Carey Price came in and allowed three more goals so the Habs’ netminders look a little shaky right before the playoffs.
Multiple Goal Scorers
Morrow-PIT, Sutter-PIT, Begin-CGY
Stat of the Night-Broke Down Honda
The Ducks have lost six of their last nine home games at the Honda Center after their franchise-record 13-game winning streak there.
Three Stars of the Night
1 Tyutin
2 Morrow
3 Sutter
Thursday’s Games (all times ET)
NY Islanders at Toronto 7pm Can the Islanders continue to surprise and break the 50-point mark?
Florida at NY Rangers 7pm Rangers need a win to keep the surging Jets at bay.
Tampa Bay at Montreal 7pm Will the Habs right the ship against Tampa?
Washington at Ottawa 7pm Which national capital will veto the other one?
New Jersey at Philadelphia 730pm Slumping meets really slumping.
Carolina at Winnipeg 8pm Remember when this game could have decided the division?
Phoenix at St. Louis 8pm It’s do-or-die for Phoenix; the Blues look to solidify their spot.
Vancouver at Dallas 830pm Stars really need this win to help catch Columbus.
Columbus at Los Angeles 1030pm With a win and a little help, Columbus could be sixth at the end of the night.
Minnesota at San Jose 1030pm This game will have huge implications on seeds 3-6 in the West.
