Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 New York Rangers
The New York Rangers, led by Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin, entered the game with a seven-game winning streak and a strong season-wide goal total of 32:14 in their favor. The matchup against Pittsburgh carried extra weight as both teams jockeyed near the edge of the playoff picture, and it marked the first meeting since the prior Stanley Cup final, where New York initially trailed. The Rangers had advanced further in that series, though the outcome was decided in dramatic fashion.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan emphasized the respect for the opponent and the hard work his club put in, noting, “We’ve had tight battles with them for years. Every game against this team tends to come down to one goal. These are important games, both at home and on the road.”
With Vincent Trocheck opening the scoring for New York, Chris Kreider answered in the first period for his 15th goal of the season. The Penguins responded late in the second when Evgeni Malkin converted a feed from Sidney Crosby, beating Shesterkin for the first time and knotting the score at 1-1. Malkin extended a personal point streak to nine games, amassing 13 (3+10) points across those outings, a milestone that added to a broader narrative about Russian scorers in the league. The stat line placed him within reach of Sergei Fedorov, as the pair climbed the all-time list of Russian players tied to historic totals.
Before the second intermission, Pittsburgh seized the moment again when Brian Rust redirected a shot by Pierre-Olivier Joseph just 13 seconds before the horn, giving the Penguins a late second-period lead. The team continued its dangerous power play, marking at least one power-play goal in nine straight games—the franchise’s longest streak since 2013.
Early in the third period, Sidney Crosby widened the margin with a slick move, sliding a shot past Shesterkin after a setup from Jake Guentzel. New York narrowed the gap with a Trocheck-assisted goal from Kreider, bringing the score to 3-2, but the Rangers could not complete the comeback. Pittsburgh’s defense stood tall as the clock wound down, preserving the one-goal triumph.
As the game closed, Rangers fans watched opportunities slip past on the doorstep, including several shots thwarted by Tristan Jarry and the Penguins’ staunch effort. The contest highlighted the high-level competition between two playoff-caliber teams and underscored why close, edge-of-your-seat games have become a hallmark of their clashes this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 Tampa Bay Lightning
The opening round of the playoffs returned to the regular-season stage as the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning, a rematch of the conference finals that went to seven games. Toronto looked to extend its success against Tampa Bay in this rematch, and the Leafs capitalized early, building momentum through the first two periods. The home team controlled the pace and created sustained pressure, with shot quality and high-danger chances signaling their intent.
Andrei Vasilevskiy stood tall for Tampa Bay in the opening frame, allowing only two goals, while Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews found the back of the net in equal numbers during the second-period surge. The Leafs showcased efficiency in willful possession and capitalized on turnovers to keep the score in their favor.
Head coach John Cooper of Tampa Bay commented on the early struggles, reflecting on the challenge of adjusting quickly after arriving in Toronto and acknowledging the need to find a quicker heartbeat on the ice. The atmosphere suggested a game marked by adjustments and strategic nuance rather than outright chaos.
In the final frame, Vladislav Namestnikov reduced the deficit with a rebound goal, his second of the season, but Toronto countered with two insurance scores from William Nylander and Pierre Engvall, forcing a late stoppage and securing a 4-1 Toronto win. Vasilevskiy totaled a heavy workload, stopping 36 of 38 Toronto attempts, while Namestnikov earned a small lift for Tampa Bay before the finish. The night also highlighted the dynamic between Nikita Kucherov and Mikhail Sergachev, who faced a tough matchup in the closing minutes.
Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 New Jersey Devils
The Metropolitan Division clash pitted Carolina against New Jersey, with the Hurricanes entering on a dominant run and the Devils seeking to bounce back. Carolina carried confidence into Raleigh after a stretch of strong performances, while New Jersey faced a slide. The Hurricanes wasted no time, seizing the initiative in the first period and pressing the attack through the middle frame.
Peter Kochetkov, the Hurricanes’ young netminder, turned in another standout performance, making key saves as his team built a lead that proved difficult for New Jersey to overcome. Carolina dictated play with pressure in the offensive zone and a disciplined defensive structure that blunted Jersey’s attempts.
The Devils finally found a breakthrough late in the first period, but Carolina answered quickly in the second and third, widening the gap to 4-1 behind steady scoring and timely saves. The goaltending battle remained tilted toward the Hurricanes, with Kochetkov recording 37 saves and earning recognition for his ongoing hot streak.
Through the day’s action, Kochetkov continued an impressive run, extending his personal streak and joining a select group of goalies who have posted strong showings across multiple starts. The momentum suggested a significant step forward for Carolina’s goaltending and overall team performance.
Across the season, Kochetkov’s performances positioned him among the top trendsetters in the league, tying to a recent string of solid results and contributing to an overall push by the Hurricanes in their division race.
Other matches
Philadelphia Flyers – Columbus Blue Jackets – 5:3
Winnipeg Jets 5-1 Ottawa Senators
Seattle Kraken 5-2 St. Louis Blues
Los Angeles Kings 4-1 Anaheim Ducks
San Jose Sharks 3-7 Calgary Flames
In the Columbus defeat, Kirill Marchenko added a late spark, but the Blue Jackets held steady. Philadelphia rallied, with Toropchenko contributing an assist as the Blues tried to close the gap against Seattle. San Jose briefly balanced the score with a Barabanov goal, yet Calgary’s quick response sealed the match.