The Pittsburgh Penguins won for the ninth time in 10 games Tuesday, coming back from a three-goal deficit to win 5-4 in a shootout over the Buffalo Sabres, and no player had a bigger impact than defenseman Kris Letang.
The 28-year-old logged an incredible 35:14 of ice time, picked up an assist on a Tom Kuhnhackl shorthanded goal in the second period, and scored one of the two Penguins' shootout goals. He also finished the night with a game-high eight shots on goal.
Dan Bylsma joked he gave the wrong scouting report to goaltender Chad Johnson on Kris Letang in the shootout.
"His fitness level is off the charts. He's a tremendous competitor," head coach Mike Sullivan told reporters post-game. "I honestly think he doesn't get the recognition in the hockey world he deserves. He is one of the most elite defenseman this league has," Sullivan continued.
The blue-liner has proved his worth over the Penguins' recent run, recording four goals and six assists in the last 12 games where they've posted a 10-2-0 record.
With the Penguins now just one point behind the New York Rangers for second in the Atlantic, it may not be too late for No. 58 to get some serious Norris consideration.
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Jared Spurgeon, Erik Haula and Nino Niederreiter scored in the third period to lift surging Minnesota to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, stretching the Wild's season-long winning streak to six straig...
After scoring the shootout winner against the Carolina Hurricanes to pick up a huge extra point for the New York Islanders, Kyle Okposo wasn't in a celebratory mood as he discussed the ice conditions with reporters following Tuesday's game.
"Awful," Okposo said of the ice, per Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post. "Can't have it like that. It's got to change. It's got to be better than that."
Since the Islanders moved into Barclays Center at the start of the season, the arena has been subject to criticism, with issues ranging from ice conditions to obstructed seating. It was also reported the Islanders and the facility were exploring ways to end their 25-year lease agreement.
Okposo, who has two goals in his past five games, may not have to worry about the ice after this season as he may explore unrestricted free agency in July.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri spoiled the Florida Panthers' attempt to take sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division on Tuesday with the third hat trick of his career in a 5-2 win.
It was his first three-goal performance in almost exactly three years, with the last one coming March 30, 2013.
Kadri connected on a pair of second-period power plays to give the Maple Leafs a 3-1 lead, and sealed the victory on an empty-netter with less than three minutes remaining.
The 25-year-old continues to record points in bunches of late. A two-assist night against the Islanders on March 9 and a four-point outburst Thursday against the Ducks are the only two times he found the scoresheet in his past 13 games.
SUNRISE, Fla. - Nazem Kadri scored two of his three goals during second-period power plays and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-2 on Tuesday night.
Michael Grabner and Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau also scored for Toronto, and...
MONTREAL - Max Pacioretty's second goal of the night lifted the Montreal Canadiens to a comeback 4-3 victory over the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.
The Canadiens got goals from Pacioretty and Paul Byron in the first period only to se...
PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel beat Chad Johnson in a shootout and the Pittsburgh Penguins inched closer to a 10th straight playoff berth with a 5-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night.
Ben Lovejoy, Conor Sheary, Tom...
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Kyle Okposo scored the only goal of the shootout and the New York Islanders rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
Derek Ryan put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 late in the second period but hit th...
TORONTO - Antoine Bibeau made 21 saves for his second shutout of the season and the Toronto Marlies picked up their third win in a row by defeating the visiting St. John's IceCaps 4-0 on Tuesday in American Hockey League action.
Brendan Leips...
NEWARK, N.J. - Reid Boucher scored a tiebreaking power-play goal early in the third period, Keith Kinkaid made 39 saves and the New Jersey Devils kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a 2-1 victory over the struggling Boston Bruins on Tuesda...