The final game between Colorado and Detroit as conference rivals was about as thrilling as you’d imagine. It was only inevitable that the two teams, after so many unbelievable playoff series over the years, would bang bodies and play end-to-end hockey all the way to overtime. It was a fitting conclusion to one of hockey’s greatest rivalries.
NHL scores: Red Wings end historic rivalry with Avalanche
Pavel Datsyuk’s overtime winner finished the last game between the two teams as conference rivals.
USA TODAY Sports
For the rest of the night’s action, read on.
All The NHL Scores
Get caught up on Wednesday's NHL scores with recaps from our network of SB Nation team blogs. Here's a quick glance at the full night of action:
Sabres 4, Senators 2
Penguins 2, Rangers 1 (SO)
Blues 3, Blue Jackets 1
Stars 3, Ducks 1
Five Answers
Prior to last night's games, we presented five burning questions regarding the night's action. Here are your cool, soothing answers.
1. Who will be in control of the eighth seed in the Western Conference by the end of the night?
That would be the St. Louis Blues, who put some distance between them and the Edmonton Oilers and the Blue Jackets with a win over Columbus. As Jackets Cannon notes, this was one Columbus needed to win:
Of all the teams the Blue Jackets needed to beat in the final 11 games of the season, the St. Louis Blues were perhaps the one that mattered most.
Thick in the hunt for a playoff spot, the Blues are the one team Columbus will definitely need to pass in the standings. A win could have temporarily tied the Jackets for 7th in the West. Instead, a loss keeps them at 10th and gives the Blues two critical points to remain in 8th place.
2. Of the players traded by the New York Rangers and Blue Jackets, who will have the best night?
It was a much quieter night for the players involved in the Marian Gaborik trade. Gaborik struggled early against the Blues but was involved on Artem Anisimov's goal. And Ryane Clowe got in his first fight as a Ranger. So there's that.
3. Will the Pittsburgh Penguins fall into a three-game losing streak?
Not if Marc-Andre Fleury had anything to say about it. And he did. Fleury was spectacular in net, stopping 34 shots with a couple of dazzling saves. Jussi Jokinen did his best to steal the show in his debut, scoring a goal and a shootout goal to help his new team steal a win from New York.
4. How will the Buffalo Sabres fare in their first game without Jason Pominville?
Pretty well, actually. The Sabres managed to hang around just long enough to get two goals in 12 seconds against the Senators in the third period, stealing a 4-2 victory right from under Ottawa’s nose.
5. Will the Dallas Stars or Penguins get revenge on Friday night?
Both did, although I would argue that the Stars were more impressive while doing it. The Ducks are one of the best teams in the league and the rebuilding, new-look Stars completely outworked and out-hustled them from the first whistle to the final horn. It was a huge win for Dallas, a team that still is thinking playoffs despite a roster overhaul.
What moment from last night's games will be making headlines in the coming days?
We still haven't heard any news about James Neal after he took a scary elbow from Michael Del Zotto on Friday. Will Del Zotto face any league discipline?
Stat of the Night
Don't look now, but....
#flyers now 3 points out of playoffs with 11 to play after Rangers get point Friday for shootout loss in Pgh.
— Randy Miller (@RandyJMiller) April 5, 2013
Post to Post
- Here's an interesting article about the Maple Leaf's skates. No, really.
- The 2014 Winter Classic is going to be announced on Sunday. I wonder which teams are going to play. And where. Hmm...
- The Wild aren't all-in on the Jason Pominville trade, and that's a good thing.
- Finally, David scored from his....Backes:
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