Frank Nazar recorded a goal and an assist in regulation, then scored the only goal of a shootout to give the Chicago Blackhawks a 4-3 win at Montreal on Monday, preventing the Canadiens from clinching a playoff spot.
Montreal is four points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second Eastern Conference wild-card berth. The Canadiens would clinch if Columbus loses either of its remaining two games, or if the Habs avoid a regulation loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday in their lone remaining contest.
Tyler Bertuzzi and Lukas Reichel scored for the Blackhawks and Arvid Soderblom saved all three of the Habs’ attempts in the shootout after stopping 18 of 21 shots in regulation and overtime.
Montreal’s Ivan Demidov had a goal and an assist in his NHL debut. The fifth overall pick of the 2024 NHL draft signed with the Canadiens last week after the completion of the KHL season.
Utah Hockey Club 7, Predators 3
Clayton Keller celebrated his 600th career game by scoring two goals and assisting on two more to lead Utah past host Nashville.
The four points gave the 26-year-old center a career-high 89 points for the season and allowed him to reach 60 assists for the first time in his career. Matt Villalta made 27 saves in his debut with the first-year franchise, ending a 23-start streak for Karel Vejmelka between the pipes.
Ryan O’Reilly got his 20th goal of the season and added an assist to give him a 50-point season for the Predators, who lost their second straight.
Rangers 5, Panthers 3
Vincent Trocheck scored a go-ahead, short-handed goal in the third period, leading New York to a win over Florida in Sunrise, Fla.
Trailing 3-1 midway through the second period, New York scored four straight goals. New York, which was eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday, also got goals from Matt Rempe, Juuso Parssinen, J.T. Miller and Jonny Brodzinski. Jonathan Quick made 27 saves in net.
The Panthers, the reigning Stanley Cup champions, got two goals from Sam Reinhart and one from Carter Verhaeghe. Florida, which has already clinched a playoff berth, also got 20 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky.
Red Wings 6, Stars 4
Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider each had a goal and two assists as Detroit won its home finale and handed Dallas is sixth straight loss.
Jonatan Berggren added a goal and an assist for Detroit, already eliminated from playoff contention. Cam Talbot made 24 saves as the Red Wings logged a second consecutive victory.
Colin Blackwell, Lian Bichsel, Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston each scored and Jake Oettinger stopped 31 shots for the Stars.
