NEW YORK — Joel Ward scored the game-winning goal on the power play with 4:13 remaining to lift Washington over Pittsburgh 3-1 in a physical game Tuesday. Ward's goal came on a 5-on-3 advantage for Washington, 32 seconds after Penguins defenseman Kris Letang was called for slashing and 43 seconds after left-winger Chris Kunitz was sent off for boarding. The Capitals also got a power-play goal from left-winger Alex Ovechkin, who scored his NHL-leading 37th. Defenseman John Carlson scored a short-handed, empty-net goal with 12 seconds remaining, his eighth, to close out the scoring. Stars 4, Blues 1: Left-winger Jamie Benn scored two of Dallas' three goals in the first period en route to the first hat trick of his NHL career, leading the Stars to win over St Louis. The Stars scored on three of their first six shots in the game, chasing Blues goalie Brian Elliott just 8:38 into the first period. Benn's first goal came just 2:47 into the game when he was left alone in the high slot and ripped a slap shot past Elliott for his 20th goal of the season. Predators 5, Sharks 1: After suffering a rare shutout loss to San Jose back in December, Nashville displayed a lot more firepower in a victory at Bridgestone Arena. Center Craig Smith scored twice for Nashville, which leads the NHL with 84 points. Defenseman Shea Weber, left winger James Neal and center Paul Gaustad also scored for the Predators, who improved to 25-3-1 at home. Panthers 3, Maple Leafs 2: Left-winger Jussi Jokinen scored a goal and added an assist as Florida defeated Toronto. Center Nick Bjugstad and right-winger Jimmy Hayes also scored for the Panthers (25-19-12). Defenseman Brian Campbell picked up two assists to help the Panthers snap a three-game winless streak in the opener of a five-game road trip. Blue Jackets 5, Flyers 2: Left-winger Matt Calvert scored two goals, including the go-ahead tally midway through the third period, and goaltender Curtis McElhinney made 42 saves to help Columbus beat Philadelphia. Centers Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Johansen and defenseman James Wisniewski also scored goals for Columbus. Islanders 4, Hurricanes 1: Goalie Chad Johnson, playing for the first time in six games, made a season-high 37 saves as the New York Islanders defeated Carolina at PNC Arena. Center Anders Lee, center Brock Nelson and right-winger Michael Grabner scored for the Islanders — with one goal in each period — before center John Tavares' empty-net goal with 4:19 to play. Devils 2, Sabres 1 (SO): Center Scott Gomez scored on the first shot of the shootout and center Jacob Josefson netted on the second, helping New Jersey top Buffalo at the Prudential Center. Devils goalkeeper Cory Schneider made 24 saves in regulation, then two in the shootout, securing his 20th win of the season while Sabres goalkeeper Michal Neuvirth made a valiant attempt to stop a 10-game losing streak. — Reuters
