New York Islanders 3-2 Winnipeg Jets
The New York Islanders held on for a 3-2 home win over the Winnipeg Jets in what is a huge win for the hosts.
They got on the scoreboard first, as Kyle Palmieri converted a power play opportunity with 3:11 left in the opening frame. It only took 93 seconds in the second for Brock Nelson to double the Islanders' advantage.
Despite going down two goals, the Jets did not give in easily. Josh Morissey got one back for them midway through the second to make the game interesting again. However, Ryan Pulock scored what proved to be the winner four minutes into the third period to make it 3-1. Despite a Nikolaj Ehlers marker with 7:09 left in regulation, that was the farthest Winnipeg got.
The Islanders are now three points out of a playoff spot despite being 13th in the Eastern Conference. There is still plenty of time for them to move up the standings, with this result being their third win from their last four. As for the Jets, losers of their last three, they still top the Western Conference. The gap is closing for them though, as the advantage is now just six points.
Dallas Stars 4-3 New Jersey Devils
In what was a hard-fought, dramatic game, the Dallas Stars got the better of the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in Texas.
The only goal of the opening period came just 99 seconds in from Wyatt Johnston. By the 6:30 mark of the second, the lead was now 2-0 for Dallas. Ilya Lyubushkin put the Stars in a commanding position. That two-goal cushion would only last 39 seconds though, as Timo Meier halved the deficit via a power play.
Roope Hintz restored the two-goal lead for the Stars at the end of the second period, 14 seconds before the intermission. That left New Jersey pressing in the final frame to tie things up. They managed to do just that, with Nico Hischier and Brett Pesce scoring 3:34 apart to level the score. Just as it seemed they were heading to overtime, Thomas Harley found the winner with five seconds left, giving the Stars a huge win.
Dallas, now riding a three-game winning streak, are now six points behind Winnipeg for top spot in the West. as for the Devils, they stay in sixth spot on 72 points. They have also lost three of their last four, something they will want to improve on quickly.