Chicago Blackhawks 3-4 Minnesota Wild (OT)
The Chicago Blackhawks twice had the lead at home against the Minnesota Wild, but failed to hold on. In the end, the guests prevailed 4-3 in overtime.
After a first period without goals, Jason Dickinson put the home team in front 5:41 into the second. Midway through the frame, the Wild found themselves 2-0 down as Conor Bedard netted his 14th goal of the season. That is the joint-third most in the league.
Minnesota would not go down without a fight though. Brock Faber notched one back just before the second intermission, before Nico Sturm added the second just after the restart.
Despite surrendering their lead, the Blackhawks were determined to swing the match back in their favour. A few minutes later, Artyum Levshunov gave them back the lead, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
Once again behind, the Wild, who had 42 shots in the contest, pushed for another leveller. They found it just after the midway point of the third. This time, Matthew Boldy got on the scoreboard to make it 3-3.
The game ultimately went into overtime, where Kirill Kaprizov found the winning goal for the guests. The Wild are now on a five-game winning streak as a result of the victory. Chicago, meanwhile, have lost four straight, keeping them out of the playoff spots in the Western Conference.
Washington Capitals 4-3 Winnipeg Jets
Another team rich in form are the Washington Capitals, who held on for a 4-3 defeat of the Winnipeg Jets. Before the first puck drop, Alex Ovechkin was honoured for recently scoring his 900th goal in the NHL, all with the Caps.
It took the Capitals six minutes and 38 seconds to go in front through John Carlson, who scored for the sixth time on the year. Jakob Chychrun doulbed his team's lead later on in the period, putting them in a commanding position.
Gabriel Vilardi gave the Jets some hope 22 seconds before the first intermission. That momentum carried into the second, where the guests tied things up through a power play goal from Vilardi.
However, Washington got themselves back in front through Ovechkin, who shot the puck first-time off the bounce to beat Eric Comrie. The Caps captain got his 908th goal from that play.
Connor McMichael then added what turned out to be the winner 5:25 into the final period, setting the Capitals up for victory. Although Mark Scheifele grabbed one back for the Jets, they were unable to return the game to parity.
It was a 12th regulation win for Washington, the second most in the league behind the Colorado Avalanche. As for the Jets, they are sitting out of the playoff places on the West.
Other results:
New Jersey Devils 3-2 St. Louis Blues (OT)
Carolina Hurricanes 2-4 New York Rangers
Columbus Blue Jackets 2-3 Toronto Maple Leafs (OT)
Detroit Red Wings 3-6 Nashville Predators
Florida Panthers 2-4 Philadelphia Flyers
New York Islanders 1-3 Boston Bruins
Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 Buffalo Sabres
Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 Calgary Flames