Game recaps, plus the latest on Alexander Ovechkin, Mike Ribeiro, Trevor Daley, Kimmo Timonen, Brandon Dubinsky and more. 

Game recaps.

NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson celebrates his game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators.

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.