- Nets 112, Nuggets 102: No NBA regular-season game should be billed as a must-win, but Saturday's victory in Denver could prove to be the most important game this season for the Nets. As much as they hate to admit it, when they need to win, they rely on Vince Carter, who scored 40 points. Bostjan Nachbar's 22 went in the pleasant-surprise department, which also included this win on the heels of three heartbreaking losses.
- Rangers 2, Flyers 1: For one game at least, the Rangers' decision to pick Jason Krog up off waivers seems intelligent. The former Thrasher, claimed on Jan. 12, scored the decisive goal 3 minutes, 49 seconds into the third period. Jaromir Jagr said: "We need to win a lot of games to make the playoffs." He's right.
- Islanders 5, Sabres 3: Rick DiPietro couldn't have played worse than he did Friday, when he allowed three goals on five shots. He helped hold down the fort in a rare comeback win for the Islanders. They're now 3-9-0 when trailing after two periods.
- Panthers 4, Devils 2: Ed Belfour won the battle between the two winningest goaltenders in the NHL. Martin Brodeur called Belfour's effort "decent," but he meant it in the nicest way possible.
