Adam Fantilli scored the only goal in the shootout Monday night for the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, who overcame a two-goal deficit and snapped a six-game losing streak with a pivotal 4-3 win over the New York Islanders in Elmont, N.Y.
Fantilli also scored to begin the comeback in the second period for the Blue Jackets, who inched within two points of the idle Montreal Canadiens for the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot.
Columbus’ Boone Jenner and Kirill Marchenko added goals and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves in regulation and overtime before stopping all three Islanders shots in the shootout.
Pierre Engvall, Kyle Palmieri and Anders Lee scored for the Islanders, who lost after regulation for the second straight game but moved within a point of the Canadiens. Palmieri had the potential game-winning goal overturned due to interference with Merzlikins with 9.6 seconds left in regulation. Ilya Sorokin recorded 27 saves.
Canucks 4, Devils 3 (SO)
Rookie Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored a goal in regulation, then notched the deciding tally of a shootout to give Vancouver a dramatic win in Newark, N.J.
The Canucks trailed 3-2 with 36 seconds left in regulation before Conor Garland deposited the equalizer after a scramble in front of New Jersey’s net. Pius Suter also tallied for the Canucks, and Thatcher Demko had 22 saves.
Timo Meier scored two goals for New Jersey and Erik Haula produced the Devils’ other tally. Jacob Markstrom made 25 saves. The Devils are 1-3-1 in their past five games overall and 2-5-1 in their past eight home games.
Stars 3, Wild 0
Jake Oettinger made 32 saves as Dallas blanked visiting Minnesota.
Wyatt Johnston, Matt Duchene and Mason Marchment provided the offense for the Stars, who have won back-to-back games and have logged points in five straight contests (3-0-2). Roope Hintz added a pair of assists.
Filip Gustavsson stopped 26 shots for the Wild, who saw their three-game winning streak end.
Red Wings 5, Utah Hockey Club 1
Despite losing starting goaltender Petr Mrazek to an injury less than two minutes into the game, Detroit defeated Utah in Salt Lake City. Alex Lyon took over and stopped 16 shots.
Alex DeBrincat had a goal and an assist and Elmer Soderblom, Marco Kasper, Austin Watson and Tyler Motte also scored for the Red Wings, who won for just the third time in 12 games.
Dylan Guenther got the goal for the Utah Hockey Club, who had won three of their previous four games. Karel Vejmelka made nine saves.
–Field Level Media
