Daneyko honored
The New Jersey Devils got a win from a goalie who hadn’t won in nearly three months and the first goal in six games from their second-leading scorer. It all came on an emotional night when they retired the jersey of one of the franchise’s most revered players.
Not a bad night for a team that has struggled to put distance between itself and the teams chasing it for an Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Scott Gomez broke out of a scoring drought with a goal and an assist and Scott Clemmensen won in his first start in nearly three months in New Jersey’s 4-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday night.
Gomez was a question mark after getting hit in the face by a puck in New Jersey’s 6-5 overtime loss to Atlanta on Thursday night. But wearing a protective visor and getting eye drops from the team trainer between shifts, he scored his 25th goal of the season in the first minute and the Devils never trailed as they won for just the second time in their last seven games.
“The doctor said I might be a little blurry, but if you can play, you can play,” said Gomez, who sported a sizable bruise under his right eye. “I never liked wearing the visor, but as much as I hate it, there are no excuses at this time of year.”
The win put the Devils three points ahead of the eight-place Thrashers, who were idle, in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Montreal is one point behind Atlanta.
On a night when the Devils retired former defenseman Ken Daneyko’s No. 3, they got a win from Clemmensen in his first start since Dec. 29. Daneyko played for the Spokane Flyers from 1980-82 on his way to the NHL.
Panthers 3, Rangers 2: At Sunrise, Fla., Olli Jokinen scored in the third round of a shootout to give Florida a victory over New York in a game that saw Jaromir Jagr become the NHL’s first 50-goal scorer since 2002-03.
Penguins 4, Islanders 3 (OT): At Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby scored with 1:32 left in overtime to lift Pittsburgh over New York.
Senators 3, Sabres 1: At Buffalo, N.Y., Ray Emery made 28 saves and Daniel Alfredsson, Antoine Vermette and Patrick Eaves scored to help Ottawa clinch a playoff spot.
Blue Jackets 3, Flames 2: At Columbus, Ohio, Jason Chimera scored his career-high 15th goal with 2:47 left to help the Blue Jackets defeat Calgary and end a five-game losing streak.
Stars 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO): At Dallas, Brenden Morrow scored in the eighth round of a shootout as Dallas edged Chicago for its 11th victory without a loss in the NHL’s new tiebreaker.
Mighty Ducks 6, Predators 3: At Anaheim, Calif., Teemu Selanne had two goals and two assists and Ryan Getzlaf had four assists as Anaheim beat Nashville for its fifth straight win.
Off the ice
The St. Louis Blues announced that Dave Checketts and a group of investors is buying the team and the Savvis Center. The NHL Board of Governors must still approve the deal. … Los Angeles Kings forward Pavol Demitra had surgery to repair a nasal fracture and correct breathing problems.