Players of the Night:
James van Riemsdyk, Toronto Maple Leafs: He registered a hat trick and engineered two-third period goals to help the Maple Leafs back into the game, which they ended up winning in a shootout.
Chris Kreider, New York Rangers: Kreider was instrumental in a 4-3 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kreider factored in every goal, scoring once and adding three assists as the Rangers came back twice in the third period.
Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers: The Rangers have little to play for other than pride, so beating the Pittsburgh Penguins would constitute as an area where they could gain some of that pride with a win. Zibanejad, committed to the cause, scored twice, once late to force overtime in the third periods and then the game-winner in the extra frame.
John Gibson, Anaheim Ducks: Gibson turned aside all 32 shots that came his way to record his third shutout of the season. The win moved the Ducks level with the Colorado Avalanche on 82 points and tied for the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Highlights of the Night:
Quite the way to force overtime:
Hat trick:
Slap pass to @JVReemer21 and you know the rest. #DALvsTOR https://t.co/8rbqly1Rph
— NHL (@NHL) March 15, 2018
Simply incredible:
THE LETTUCE pic.twitter.com/4odUMFvul7
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 14, 2018
Nice effort:
Hard work pays off for @TomasHertl48 and the @SanJoseSharks as they snag the extra point in @EASPORTSNHL OT. https://t.co/n3Aj014QZi
— NHL (@NHL) March 15, 2018
Factoids of the Night:
The @MapleLeafs relinquished a two-goal lead and overcame a two-goal deficit to win for just the fourth time in franchise history:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2018
March 14 vs. DAL
April 7, 2007 vs. MTL
Dec. 20, 1999 at FLA
March 4, 1994 at DET#NHLStats #DALvsTOR pic.twitter.com/ja7ERrW2H4
Mika Zibanejad joined Derek Stepan (2015) and Theo Fleury (2001) as the only players in @NYRangers franchise history to score the tying goal in the final five minutes of regulation and the winner in overtime. #NHLStats #PITvsNYR pic.twitter.com/28xyNMEcYO
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2018
The @NJDevils scored eight goals in game for the first time since Dec. 12, 2008 en route to earning their third win in four contests. #NHLStats #NJDvsVGK pic.twitter.com/nylbDez6y1
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2018
Scores:
Maple Leafs 6, Stars 5 (SO)
Rangers 4, Penguins 3 (OT)
Ducks 3, Canucks 0
Sharks 4, Oilers 3 (OT)
Devils 8, Golden Knights 3
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck