Newark, NJ (My Sportsbook) - Ilya Kovalchuk posted a goal and two assists and Martin Brodeur stopped 34 shots as New Jersey clipped Pittsburgh, 3-1, at Prudential Center. Patrik Elias and Andy Greene also scored for the Devils, who have won two in a row and climbed to within two points of Pittsburgh for the Atlantic Division lead. Sidney Crosby tallied the lone goal for the Penguins, who dropped their second in a row after winning four straight. Marc- Andre Fleury was tagged for three goals on 32 shots in defeat.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 3, Washington 2

Washington, DC (My Sportsbook) - Matt Walker had a goal and an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning got a big win in a 3-2 decision over the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center. Vincent Lecavalier and Brandon Bochenski each had goal for the Lightning, who had dropped seven of eight coming in. Antero Niittymaki made 28 stops in the win. It is a big two points for Tampa Bay as the team now has 68 and sits four points back of Boston for the final playoff seed in the East. Tomas Fleischmann and Brooks Laich each had a goal for the Capitals, who had won four of their previous five. Alex Ovechkin had two assists while Semyon Varlamov made 24 stops. Washington came into the game having been crowned the Southeast Division champions on Thursday. Despite not playing, the Caps won the division for the third straight year thanks to Atlanta's loss to Columbus.

Final Score: NY Rangers 5, Atlanta 2

Atlanta, GA (My Sportsbook) - Vinny Prospal had two goals and an assist as the New York Rangers took a 5-2 decision over the Atlanta Thrashers in a battle between playoff contenders. Marian Gaborik had a goal and two assists while Ryan Callahan added a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who stopped a four-game slide. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots in the win. The win moves New York to 69 points, three back of idle Boston for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Clarke MacArthur and Ron Hainsey each had a goal for the Thrashers, who have dropped their past five games. Johan Hedberg stopped 30-of-34 shots in the loss. The losing streak has dropped Atlanta to the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, two below Tampa Bay, which won at Washington earlier Friday.

Final Score: Minnesota 3, Buffalo 2

Buffalo, NY (My Sportsbook) - Josh Harding stopped a season-high 43 shots, as Minnesota escaped from Buffalo with a 3-2 win at HSBC Arena. Andrew Ebbett, Andrew Brunette and Guillaume Latendresse lit the lamp for the Wild, who halted a four-game losing streak Thomas Vanek registered both scores, and Jason Pominville assisted on each for the Sabres, whose three-game win streak was ended. Patrick Lalime yielded three goals on 33 shots in the loss.

Final Score: Los Angeles 2, Dallas 1 (SO)

Dallas, TX (My Sportsbook) - Jarret Stoll tallied the lone goal in the sixth round of the shootout, as Los Angeles topped Dallas, 2-1, at American Airlines Center. After Jamie Benn's shot to open the round found its way into the sliding pad of Jonathan Bernier, Stoll ripped a wrister under the crossbar to end the game. Fredrik Modin provided the offense for the Kings, who have won two of three and reached the 40-win plateau for the first time since the 2005-06 campaign. Starting an NHL contest for the first time since October, 2007, Bernier made 29 saves in regulation and overtime for the win. Brenden Morrow notched the lone goal for the Stars, who have dropped five of six since the return from the Olympic break. Marty Turco was the hard-luck loser with 27 saves.

Final Score: Nashville 1, Anaheim 0

Anaheim, CA (My Sportsbook) - Pekka Rinne stopped 31 shots for his fourth shutout of the season as the Nashville Predators downed the Anaheim Ducks, 1-0, at the Honda Center. Shea Weber scored the lone goal off assists from Jason Arnott and Ryan Suter for the Predators, who had lost three of four coming into the game. Nashville now has 79 points and sits three behind Colorado for the sixth spot in the Western Conference. Jonas Hiller stopped 27 shots for the Ducks, who have dropped five straight and are nine points back of Calgary for the eighth spot in the west.