Cooley’s buzzer-beater saves Utah, Central Division roundup

The Central Division’s Thursday slate belonged to Utah’s late-game heroics in Pittsburgh, against the backdrop of Winnipeg’s ongoing slide and another overtime setback for the division leaders from Minnesota.

Cooley caps hat trick at the buzzer, Mammoth win in OT

In Pittsburgh, the Utah Mammoth pulled off a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory. According to Sportsnet, Logan Cooley finished off a hat trick by scoring with one second left in regulation to extend the game, before Mikhail Sergachev buried the overtime winner. The two-point night in the standings keeps Utah firmly in second place in the Central with 18 points in 14 games (9-5-0), three back of Minnesota with a game in hand.

Jets’ skid hits seven, Daws’ debut comes in relief

Things didn’t get any easier for the Winnipeg Jets in Tampa Bay. They dropped a 6-4 decision to the Lightning for their seventh straight loss. Per Sportsnet, Pontus Holmberg recorded a goal and three assists, while Brandon Hagel and Anthony Cirelli each produced three points to power Tampa’s offence. Sportsnet also notes that Daws made his Jets debut in relief of Stuart Skinner, an introduction the team likely didn’t envision unfolding this way. Winnipeg stays seventh in the Central with 11 points in 13 games (4-6-3).

Wild fall in OT, Blues handle Bruins

The Minnesota Wild struck quickly on Long Island, with Joel Eriksson Ek scoring just 27 seconds into the game against the New York Islanders, according to Sportsnet. But the Wild couldn’t close it out, losing 4-3 in overtime. Sportsnet reports that Matthew Schaefer registered two goals and three points, including the OT winner. Despite the loss, Minnesota remains on top of the division with 21 points in 15 games (9-3-3).

In St. Louis, the Blues turned in a convincing 4-1 win over the Boston Bruins. As reported by Sportsnet, Joel Hofer stopped 31 shots and Robert Thomas posted a goal and three points. That result moves St. Louis to 13 points in 13 games (6-6-1), tying the Blues with Nashville in the middle of the Central pack.

Predators edged, Stars and Blackhawks stumble

The Nashville Predators came up just short in a 4-3 road loss to the Washington Capitals. Sportsnet highlights two goals from Washington rookie defenceman Cole Hutson and a 25-save outing by Charlie Lindgren, with Hutson beating Juuse Saros on a pinpoint shot to the top corner in the first period. Nashville sits sixth with 13 points in 13 games (4-4-5).

The Dallas Stars couldn’t keep pace with the Montreal Canadiens in a 5-2 home loss. Sportsnet notes that Cole Caufield and Alex Newhook each scored twice, while La Presse points out that Jakub Dobeš turned aside 17 shots for Montreal. The defeat leaves Dallas at 15 points (7-5-1), level with the Colorado Avalanche for third in the Central. Eyes on the Prize underlines that Montreal finished off a perfect four-game road trip in regulation with this win.

In Detroit, the Chicago Blackhawks fell 4-1. According to Sportsnet, Viktor Arvidsson recorded the sixth hat trick of his career and added an assist, with Alex DeBrincat supplying two helpers for the Red Wings. Chicago remains last in the division with 8 points (4-9-0).

As a reminder of news already covered on our site, Detroit’s Dylan Larkin was held out of the lineup amid trade discussions.