Pens Catch Habs – NHL News And Scores For March 15th

UNDATED (AP) — Just one point separates the top three teams in the NHL's Eastern Conference following wins by Pittsburgh and Boston.

The Penguins pulled even with Montreal for first place by scoring three times in the final 7:18 to beat Toronto 3-1. The Maple Leafs led 1-0 until Pascal Dupuis (doo-PWEE') scored twice during a 5:08 span. Chris Kunitz (KOO'-nihts) and Sidney Crosby assisted on both the tying and winning goals.

Tuukka (TOO'-kah) Rask turned back 29 shots and Patrice Bergeron (BEHR'-zhur-ahn) scored twice as the Bruins beat Florida 4-1. The Bruins are one point out of first following their 10th victory in 13 games.

Chicago has resumed its winning ways by outlasting Columbus 2-1 in a shootout. Patrick Kane scored the decisive shootout goal after setting up Johnny Oduya (oh-DOO'-yuhz) tally late in the second period.

The Blackhawks had dropped their previous two games in regulation after opening the season 21-0-3.

Sergei Bobrovsky finished with 39 saves for the Blue Jackets, who set a franchise record by picking up a point in their ninth game in a row.

Anaheim remains four points behind the West-leading Hawks. Jonas Hiller stopped 33 shots before handling each of the Dallas Stars' two shootout attempts to backstop the Ducks' 2-1 victory. Andrew Cogliano tied the game in the second period.

Also on ice, rookie Jake Allen posted his first NHL shutout by stopping 28 shots in the Blues' 3-0 win over Phoenix. Chris Stewart had two goals and an assist to help Allen win his fourth straight decision.

Andrew Ebbett and Jannik Hansen each had a goal and two assists in Vancouver's 7-4 pounding of Nashville. Henrik Sedin (seh-DEN') scored on a penalty shot to put the Canucks ahead 6-4 with 2:34 remaining.

Jonas Brodin's first NHL goal highlighted a three-goal second that pushed Minnesota past Colorado 5-3. Ryan Suter had a season-high three assists and Matt Cullen and Zach Parise each had two assists to help the Wild improve to 10-3-1 at home.

Logan Couture (koo-CHOOR') collected two goals and an assist while San Jose was building a 4-1 lead in a 4-3 win over Los Angeles. Antti Niemi (AN'-tee nee-EH'-mee) handled 34 shots in helping the Sharks end a four-game losing streak.

Washington spotted Carolina a 2-0 lead before posting a 3-2 win on Mike Ribeiro's (rih-BEHR'-ohz) goal with 2:16 remaining. Alex Ovechkin and Joey Crabb also scored to support Michael Neuvirth (NOY'-vurth), who made 36 saves and was perfect after Patrick Dwyer scored 8:17 into the game.

Ondrej Pavelec (AHN'-dray PAV'-lehk) handled 28 shots in Winnipeg's 3-1 verdict over the New York Rangers. Antti Miettinen's (AN'-tee MEH'-tih-nehnz) first goal of the series was the game-winner.

John Tavares scored the game-winner and Evgenki Nabokov (nah-BAH'-kahv) stopped 18 shots as the New York Islanders blanked Tampa Bay 2-0. Brad Boyes had an empty-net goal and an assist to help the Islanders improve to 7-4-1 on the road.

NEW YORK (AP) — NHL owners have signed off on realignment for next season, sending Detroit and Columbus to the Eastern Conference.

The new format will feature two eight-team divisions in the Eastern Conference, and two seven-team divisions in the West. The Winnipeg Jets will move into the Western Conference.

The top three seeds in each division and two wild cards from each conference will qualify for the playoffs.

The NHL Players' Association signed off on the realignment format, which will be in place for at least three seasons.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Billionaire Philip Anschutz (AN'-shoots) says he is pulling AEG off the market and the company that owns the Los Angeles Kings and the Staples Center is no longer for sale.

Anschutz says in a statement that he had made clear that he wouldn't sell the company unless the right buyer came forward.

AEG's holdings also include the Los Angeles Galaxy, part-ownership of the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, and major entertainment and real estate holdings in Los Angeles.

AEG also is spearheading a stadium proposal to bring back a professional football team to Los Angeles.