Game recaps, plus the latest on Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Ribeiro, Trevor Daley, Kimmo Timonen, Brandon Dubinsky and more.
Game recaps.
NEWSDAY: Brock Nelson’s goal late in the third period lifted the New York Islanders to a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators, marking the Isles 42nd victory of the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders are now only eight victories away from their first 50-win season since 1983-84. With 16 games remaining in their schedule, the odds are in the favor of reaching that milestone
TWINCITIES.COM: Two late goals by Jason Pominville lifted the Minnesota Wild from a 1-0 deficit to a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals, who were playing without top scorer Alexander Ovechkin. The Capitals captain is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Since acquiring goaltender Devan Dubnyk on Jan. 14, the Wild have run up a league-best run of 17-3-2.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If there was an NHL award for second-half MVP, it would belong to Dubnyk. He’s saved the Wild’s season since his acquisition from Arizona in mid-January.
PHILLY.COM: Third-period goals by Michael Del Zotto, Wayne Simmonds and Michael Raffl gave the Philadelphia Flyers a 3-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Despite a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight) by Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitri Kulikov, the Dallas Stars downed the Panthers 4-3 on a shootout goal from Colton Sceviour. Earlier in the day, the Stars learned defenseman Trevor Daley will be sidelined two-four weeks to a knee injury.
Note: Games involving Canadian NHL teams are recapped in “Canadian Corner.”
Notable headlines.
THE TENNESSEAN: Mike Ribeiro’s attorney said his client intends to fight a lawsuit filed by family’s former nanny alleging Ribeiro assaulted her in 2012 while Ribeiro’s wife verbally attacked her.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with any incident involving legal action against NHL players, we must assume innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: After battling back from career-threatening blood clots, recently-acquired Blackhawks defenseman Kimmo Timonen intends to retire on his own terms. He’s indicated this season will be his last as a professional player.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky returns to the lineup after missing three games with a concussion.
NJ.COM: Sidelined defenseman Bryce Salvador may have played his final game with the New Jersey Devils. The Devils captain has been sidelined since Nov. 10 with a back injury and is due to become an unrestricted free agent in July.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Sabres are giving Mikhail Grigorenko another shot to prove himself at the NHL level.
That good young team the (Panthers) which realistcally not necessarily either of those things is going to miss the playoffs.