New York Rangers’ defenceman Marc Staal (18) shoves Boston Bruins’ left wing Daniel Paille (20) during the first period of their match at Madison Square Garden yesterday.
BOSTON: David Krejci’s third career hat-trick couldn’t have come much easier. Krejci scored twice while all alone in the slot, then added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining of the Boston Bruins’ 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers in their NHL game yesterday. Jarome Iginla added a goal and an assist for the Bruins, who kept former Boston goalie Tim Thomas busy all night with 39 shots on goal.
The Bruins welcomed back Thomas, who may be saying goodbye to Florida after a series of deals general manager Dale Tallon made to retool the struggling Panthers’ lineup. The biggest move was bringing back goalie Roberto Luongo in a trade with Vancouver, leaving the Panthers for the moment with the two goalies from the 2011 Stanley Cup finals.
Pittsburgh defenseman Matt Niskanen scored two goals as the Penguins spoiled the return of Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne.
The game-winner came at 7:29 of the third period, when Nikansen fired a 34-foot slap shot past Rinne, who was making his first appearance since October.
Rinne, who sat out 51 games due to a hip infection, finished with 16 saves. Pittsburgh struck the game’s first goal 27 seconds into the second period where Sidney Crosby, skating behind the Predators net, found Niskanen open for a slap shot that got behind Rinne. Defenceman Tyson Barrie’s ninth goal of the season, on a power play at 12:50 of the third period, broke a 2-2 tie and was followed by center Paul Stastny’s insurance marker in the final minute that gave Colorado the win over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Chicago fell to 36-13-14 despite outshooting Colorado 38 to 21.
St Louis left winger Alexander Steen broke a third-period tie, and goalie Ryan Miller recorded his second win in as many starts for his new team, as the Blues rallied to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Steen tallied his team-high 29th goal with 16:13 remaining to give St. Louis (41-14-6) a 3-2 lead.
Tampa Bay (34-23-5) lost for the seventh time in 10 games, and concluded a four-game road trip with a 1-3 mark.
If Martin Brodeur has played his final game with the Devils he is going out on a high note after Stephen Gionta scored with 36.6 seconds left in the third as New Jersey defeated the Detroit Red Wings. The NHL’s trade deadline is Wednesday and Brodeur said he is willing to accept a trade. The future Hall of Fame goaltender lost the starting job to Cory Schneider and could be on his way out of town if general manager Lou Lamoriello can find the right deal.
Brodeur stopped 20 of 23 shots as the Devils (27-23-13) won for the third time in four games. Detroit (28-21-12) entered the night having won four of their last five games.
Center Antoine Vermette scored his sixth goal in five games this season against Vancouver late in the first period, and it stood as the game-winner as the Coyotes squeaked by the Canucks.
Goaltender Mike Smith made 23 saves for his 27th career shutout and third of the season. Goalie Eddie Lack, taking over in the Vancouver net after Roberto Luongo was traded to Florida earlier in the day, made 31 saves for the Canucks (28-26-10).
The Coyotes (28-23-11) snapped a four-game losing streak and moved into ninth place in the Western Conference, one game behind the Dallas Stars for the final playoff spot. Center Artem Anisimov scored the winning goal for the third straight game, saving the Columbus Blue Jackets from collapse against the Dallas Stars Agencies
