NHL scores 2017: Maple Leafs take advantage of Eastern Conference struggles to nab playoff spot

A stacked Thursday evening of NHL hockey action meant a lot of scoreboard watching for a lot of teams. More specifically teams from the Eastern Conference, because that’s where the real heart of the playoff battles lie.

With 12 games, movement was bound to happen. Which is why it was such a shock to see only the Maple Leafs grab their chance and come away victorious, and with a playoff spot.

The Lightning had the most disappointing night by far, as they were shut out by the Maple Leafs — one of two teams they are directly battling for that coveted playoff spot. Frederik Andersen outplayed Andrei Vasilevskiy like a fiddle, as Toronto’s goaltender made all 33 saves that came his way while Vasilevskiy allowed four goals on 15 shots in 26 minutes of work.

Also having trouble were the Islanders, who lost to the Jets 4-2, and the Flyers, who were beaten quite badly by the Devils 6-2. Bryan Little’s pair of goals for Winnipeg was the difference and the Islanders were unable to do anything with the four power plays they had.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, went with Steve Mason again after he shut out the Penguins on Wednesday. It went exactly how you’d expect a tail end of a back-to-back to go, as he allowed four goals on 23 shots while the Flyers managed an uninspired 19 shots total through the entire game.

Even the Bruins and Senators had rough outings. Boston was clobbered by the Oilers in a barnburner 7-4 while Ottawa allowed a tough late goal to the Blackhawks to seal their fate 2-1.

While everyone remained stagnant, the Maple Leafs powered through with five different goal-scorers and stellar goaltending. Toronto needed a display of power to get themselves back into the playoff race, and they executed it at just the right time.

Jets 4, Islanders 2
Predators 2, Capitals 1 (OT)
Blue Jackets 2, Panthers 1
Devils 6, Flyers 2
Hurricanes 3, Wild 1
Blackhawks 2, Senators 1
Maple Leafs 5, Lightning 0
Oilers 7, Bruins 4
Stars 4, Canucks 2
Red Wings 5, Coyotes 4 (SO)
Kings 2, Sabres 0
Blues 4, Sharks 1

1. March hasn’t been kind to the Panthers

After a five-game winning streak in mid-February, it seemed the Panthers were on their way to making a claim for a playoff spot. Since then, however, it’s been a bit of a mess in Florida. The Panthers have just two wins in their last 11 games as they’ve been stagnant while various other teams have jumped them.

On Thursday, their woes continued as the Blue Jackets scored a pair of goals in the late second period to snatch victory out of a fairly even match. Now seven points off the pace, it’s likely game over for Florida.

2. It’s cold out there in Minnesota

Not the weather, but the hockey team. The month of March also hasn’t been nice to the Wild, who now have just two wins over their last eight games thanks to their 3-1 loss in Carolina. Devin Dubnyk was uncharacteristically leaky, with both goals allowed — but especially Victor Rask’s game-winner with three minutes left — coming on soft plays by the netminder.

3. The Stars and Canucks couldn’t stop scoring buzzer beaters

First, Stars’ defenseman Esa Lindell gave Dallas the 2-1 lead with 7.2 seconds to play at the end of the first period.

Then Ben Hutton returned the favor as his goal with 0.3 seconds to go in the second evened the game for the Canucks.

4. The Sabres forgot there was a hockey game on

Otherwise, explain how they had just seven shots by the halfway point and 26 in total in their 2-0 loss to the Kings.

The Red Wings and Coyotes couldn’t stop trading goals, which led to an inevitable shootout. Gustav Nyquist got the winner.

Brad Marchand continues to be the NHL’s hottest player rolling into the last few weeks of the season.