Our daily NHL recap returns for the pre-Olympic stretch drive, now that almost every game has playoff implications of some sort. Here is what happened last night in the NHL:
Jan 31, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets forward Devin Setoguchi (40) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
- Devin Setoguchi scored twice, including the winner with less than 3 minutes left to give the Winnipeg Jets a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks to move to 7-2 under coach Paul Maurice. Zach Bogosian and Michael Frolik had the other Winnipeg goals, with captain Andrew Ladd adding 2 assists. Ryan Kesler had a goal and 2 assists the losing effort while Alex Edler and Jason Garrison also replied for the Canucks.
- Alex Ovechkin tied the score with 7 seconds left to give the Washington Capitals a point, but 7 different Capitals were turned away by Jimmy Howard in the shootout as the Detroit Red Wings won 4-3. Patrick Eaves had the winner in the 7th round after the first 13 shooters missed. Ovechkin also added an assist, while Jason Chimera also had a goal and an assist and John Carlson had 2 helpers for the Caps. Casey Wellman had the other. Detroit moved back into a playoff spot for the time being, getting goals from Drew Miller, Danny DeKeyser and Gustav Nyquist.
- Alexander Khudobin stopped 27 of 28 shots as he led the Carolina Hurricanes into the 3rd seed in the Metropolitan Division with a nice 3-1 win over the St. Louis Blues. Nathan Gerbe and David Backes swapped first period power play goals, and Jeff Skinner notched what would prove to be the winner in the first couple of minutes of the second. Alexander Semin capped it with the empty netter to keep the Canes rolling.
- The New York Rangers are also on a roll, beating the New York Islanders 4-1 for their first win back indoors after sweeping the two Stadium Series games. It was the second time in 3 days they downed the Islanders, powered by 38 saves from Henrik Lundqvist. Brian Boyle, Derick Brassard, Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh (into an empty net) provided the offense in support of King Henrik, who has allowed 2 goals or less in 9 of his last 10 games and is back into form after struggling at times this season. Kyle Okposo notched the lone tally for the Islanders, who have lost 3 in a row and are losing touch with the playoff race.
- Shea Weber scored twice, including the overtime winner as the Nashville Predators downed the New Jersey Devils 3-2. David Legwand had the other Preds goal, tying it up with just 11 seconds left to steal the victory from the Devils. The Devils got their offense from the old guard, with Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Elias each cashing in a goal and an assist and Travis Zajac had 2 assists in the losing cause.
That is what happened around the league on the ice Friday night. For the Senators, they were bumped out of a playoff spot with the win from Detroit, while Carolina moved from out of the playoffs to the 3rd seed in the Metro division.