NEW YORK: Centres Brock Nelson and Anders Lee each had a goal and an assist to lead the New York Islanders to a road win over the suddenly slumping Detroit Red Wings.
Centre Henrik Zetterberg scored for Detroit, which lost its fifth straight (0-2-3). Goaltender Jimmy Howard made eight saves on nine shots in the first period before being replaced by Petr Mrazek to start the second period due to a lower-body injury.
The Red Wings twice barely missed tying the game in the third period. Right wing Gustav Nyquist hit the goal post, while a Zetterberg shot grazed the post.
Devils 3, Lightning 2 (SO)
Rookie goaltender Keith Kinkaid stopped 26 shots and then made three big saves in the shootout to earn his first career victory as the New Jersey Devils edged the Tampa Bay Lightning.
New Jersey center Patrik Elias snapped out of a deep scoring slump with a pretty spinning backhanded goal and then scored a huge goal in the shootout to help lead his club to the victory over the first-place Lightning as the Devils halted a five-game winless streak.
Senators 6, Ducks 2
The Ottawa Senators posted their highest score of the season for a surprising victory over the league’s top ranked Anaheim Ducks.
Winger Mike Hoffman paced the Ottawa attack with two goals as the Senators won successive games for the first time since early November.
Jets 2, Bruins 1
Michael Hutchinson produced a 30-save performance to spark the Winnipeg Jets to victory over the Boston Bruins. The backup netminder was sensational, particularly during the third period when he made 16 saves.
Stars 2, Flames 1
Defenceman Trevor Daley scored the game-winning goal midway through the second period as the Dallas Stars won their third in a row and sent the Calgary Flames to their seventh consecutive defeat, the worst losing streak for the franchise in 40 seasons. Meanwhile, Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe has made an “astonishing” recovery after receiving stem cell treatment earlier this month from a Mexico-based medical firm, the Howe family said yesterday.
The 86-year-old Hall of Famer, who suffers from severe dementia, has gone from being bedridden in a semi-comatose state to walking on his own and doing daily chores as he “shuffles” around his daughter’s Texas home, the family said.
“We are thrilled that Dad’s quality of life has greatly improved.”
Howe underwent two days of a stem cell clinical trial from Tijuana-based firm Novastem. After three days he left the hospital and walked on his own to airplane, and after five days he was “taking part in helping out with household chores.”AGENCIES
