Washington, DC (Best E Casino) - Tomas Fleischmann scored with 1:40 remaining in overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes at Verizon Center. In the extra session, Fleischmann hammered a Eric Belanger feed past Carolina goaltender Manny Legace, who made 35 saves in a losing effort. Mike Green scored twice on the power play for Washington, which is closing in on its third consecutive Southeast Division crown and firmly entrenched atop the Eastern Conference with a 15-point lead over Pittsburgh. The Capitals, with 99 points, are also six points ahead of San Jose and Chicago in the race for the league's best overall record. Jose Theodore turned aside 28 shots to earn the win. Jussi Jokinen, Tuomo Ruutu and Patrick Dwyer each tallied for the Hurricanes, who have dropped two of their last three games after winning seven straight.
Final Score: Buffalo 5, Dallas 3
Buffalo, NY (Best E Casino) - Thomas Vanek scored the eventual game-winner midway through the second period, as the Buffalo Sabres continued their recent dominance over the Dallas Stars with a 5-3 victory at HSBC Arena. The Sabres have won five straight against the Stars, with Dallas' last win in the series coming on March 31, 2003. In addition, the Stars haven't won in Buffalo since October 7, 1997. Tyler Myers had a goal and three assists for the Sabres, who have won three in a row for the first time since a six-game burst from December 27-January 8. Derek Roy and Mark Mancari each had a goal and an assist. Jason Pominville had the other score for the victors. Ryan Miller made 17 saves to pick up the win. Jamie Benn had a goal and an assist for the Stars, who have dropped four of five. Toby Petersen and Steve Ott had a goal apiece. Marty Turco turned aside 38-of-42 shots in defeat.
Final Score: New Jersey 6, NY Rangers 3
Newark, NJ (Best E Casino) - Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner was one of six different goal-scorers, as New Jersey doubled up the New York Rangers, 6-3, at Prudential Center. Langenbrunner, Brian Rolston, Travis Zajac and Rob Niedermayer each had a goal and an assist for New Jersey, while Zach Parise and Bryce Salvador also lit the lamp. Dainius Zubrus, Andy Greene and Mike Mottau each collected two helpers for the Devils, who returned from a 1-3-0 road trip to play their first home game since a 5-2 triumph over Nashville on February 12. Martin Brodeur made 16 saves on 19 shots to earn the win, which pulls New Jersey to within three points of first-place Pittsburgh in the Atlantic Division. Vinny Prospal, Erik Christensen and Brandon Prust scored for the Rangers, who are winless in four straight (0-2-2) and remain three points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. New York starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was relieved by Alex Auld late in the second period after allowing five goals on just 17 shots. Auld recorded nine saves the rest of the way.
Final Score: Chicago 3, Los Angeles 2 (OT)
Chicago, IL (Best E Casino) - Patrick Sharp opened the scoring early in the contest and lit the lamp 2:08 into overtime to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 3-2 win over Los Angeles at United Center. An ill-timed turnover by Kings forward Brad Richardson in the neutral zone set up the game-winning tally. Dave Bolland picked up the puck and quickly dished to Sharp, who beat Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick on a breakaway for his 21st goal of the season. Kris Versteeg had the other goal for Central-leading Chicago, which holds a 16-point lead over second-place Nashville and is looking to secure its first division title since 1992-93. Antti Niemi made 28 saves to pick up the win, Chicago's seventh in its last nine games. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar scored less than two minutes apart in the second period for the Kings, who have dropped three of four. Quick stopped 40 shots in defeat.
