- Rangers 2, Bruins 1: Henrik Lundqvist made 40 saves, the Rangers scored to tie it up with 100 seconds remaining, and everyone ended up happy. Thomas Pock scored the goal -- his first since Oct. 10. Lundqvist, who let the Rangers down somewhat last year after returning from the Turin Olympics, looks more and more like a big-time goalie who can carry a team through the playoffs. With each passing win, the Rangers are more likely to give him that chance. They can't all be pretty, though.
- Islanders 4, Flyers 3: For a while after this game, the Islanders held the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Then they fell back when Montreal and Carolina both won later. They can only control what they do, though, and they got a goal from Andy Hilbert. Maybe they were inspired by the presence of Vince Papale, a former Eagles player and the inspiration for "Invincible." He stopped by the dressing room after the game.
- Devils 4, Panthers 3 (SO): A loss would have allowed the Devils to fall into a tie with the Penguins for first place in the division, but they swear they weren't thinking about it. Even if they were, they shouldn't have it held against them. What's wrong with knowing where your opponents are in the standings? Ignoring them doesn't help matters.
- Nets 113, Bobcats 107 (OT): Jason Kidd said the Nets "got lucky." Few would disagree. His shot at the end of regulation was about to come up short, but Vince Carter took it and flushed it to tie the game at the buzzer. His 40-point performance came at a critical time for his team, who had lost two straight and now sit in a three-way tie for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference. They're going to have to play better than this to make the playoffs, but maybe Carter can carry them. He's done it at times this year.
