With the end of the season just five weeks away the schedule has been crazy, however, things slowed down on Wednesday with just eight teams taking to the ice.
Washington Capitals v Philadelphia Flyers
5-3
Alex Ovechkin recorded a goal and an assist as the Washington Capitals won their fifth game in succession, a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
It was the Russian’s 653rd goal, three scores behind Brendan Shanahan for 13th in league history. It was also his 245th power play goal, putting him one away from tying Phil Esposito for fifth on the all-time list.
The captain, who has 13 points (8g, 5a) in his past 10 games, is one point away from becoming the 49th NHL player with 1,200pts, and third active, after Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks (1.465) and Sid Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins (1,202).
Tom Wilson, Brett Connolly, Andre Burakovsky and Nicklas Backstrom also netted for the reigning champions, who moved two points ahead of the New York Islanders for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Braden Holtby made 27 saves for his 250th NHL win. It came in his 409th game, making him the second-fastest goaltender in NHL history to reach the milestone, the first being Ken Dryden of the Montreal Canadiens (381 games).
Claude Giroux had a goal and an assist, Philipe Myers and Scott Laughton also scored for the flyers, who saw their five-game point streak come to an end (4-0-1). Brian Elliott allowed four goals on 19 shots before being pulled in the second period, Cam Talbot made 15 saves in relief.
Philadelphia are 7pts behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference.
Up Next:
Devils v Capitals – Friday, March 8th (7pm)
Flyers v Islanders – Saturday, March 9th (7pm)
Toronto Maple Leafs v Vancouver Canucks
2-3 (OT)
Alexander Edler scored with 1:49 left in overtime as the Vancouver Canucks railed for a 3-2 comeback win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was Toronto’s first loss this season when leading after two periods (32-0-1).
The hosts trailed 2-0 heading into the third period, but Loui Eriksson and Josh Leivo scored 1:52 apart, before Edler won the affair with a wrist shot.
It was Leivo‘s first game against the Maple Leafs since they traded him to the Canucks on December 3.
Adam Gaudette registered two assists and Jacob Markstrom made 28 saves for Vancouver, who ended their three-game losing streak, moving them within seven points of the Minnesota Wild for the second wild card slot in the West.
Ron Hainsey and Morgan Rielly scored 34 seconds apart in the second period, whilst Frederik Andersen made 28 saves for the Maple Leafs, who trail the Boston Bruins by 2pts for second place in the Atlantic Division.
Up Next:
Leafs v Oilers – Saturday, March 9th (7pm)
Canucks v Oilers – Thursday, March 7th (9pm)
St Louis Blues v Anaheim Ducks
5-4
The St Louis Blues scored twice in the last 1:04 minutes for a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks.
Alex Pietrangelo scored with 52 seconds left for a 5-4 lead, after Robert Thomas tied it 4-4 with his second goal of the game with 1:04 remaining and Jordan Binnington pulled for the extra attacker.
Pietrangelo, Ryan O’Reilly and Brayden Schenn each had a goal and assist, and Colton Parayko and Vladimir Tarasenko each recorded two assists for the Blues, who moved 3pts clear of the Dallas Stars for third in the Central Division. Binnington made 23 saves.
Troy Terry had three assists for Anaheim, who had scored three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead. Jaycob Megna scored his first NHL goal and registered an assist. Nick Ritchie, Rickard Rakell and Adam Henrique also scored, with John Gibson making 28 saves.
Up Next:
Blues v Kings – Thursday, March 7th (10:30pm)
Canadiens v Ducks – Friday, March 8th (10pm – ESPN+)
Calgary Flames v Vegas Golden Knights
1-2
Deryk Engelland scored hist first goal since Dec. 6 to break the tie in the third period, helping the Vegas Golden Knights to their fifth consecutive victory, 2-1 against the Calgary Flames.
Marc-Andre Fleury made 33 saves for his 437th NHL win and tied Jacques Plante for eighth on the all-time wins list. Terry Sawchuk is seventh with 445 wins.
Shea Theodore opened the scoring at T-Mobile Arena for Vegas, who moved within 7pts of the San Jose Sharks for second place in the Pacific Division. William Karlsson had two assists for his first multipoint game since February 7th.
Engelland ended his 36-game drought with a beautiful top shelfer from beyond the circles, giving the hosts a 2-1 lead.
The Flames lost their third game in a row in regulation for the first time this season. Travis Hamonic scored, ending Fleury‘s shutout streak at 200 minutes, 41 seconds, the longest of his career.
Calgary thought they’d equalized in the first period through Johnny Gaudreau, but Vegas head coach, Gerard Gallant, won a challenge for goaltender interference on Matthew Tkachuk.
David Rittich made 36 saves.
Up Next:
Flames v Coyotes – Thursday, March 7th (9pm)
Knights v Canucks – Saturday, March 9th (10pm – ESPN+)
KEY
ALL TIMES U.S. EASTERN
Artistry of Sport 
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