Associated Press
PITTSBURGH ó Jarkko Ruutu had a goal and two assists and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the New York Islanders 3-1 on Thursday night in Sidney Crosby’s first home game in more than two months.
Georges Laraque had a goal and an assist and Evgeni Malkin also scored as the Penguins won their sixth consecutive home game and seventh of nine overall.
Crosby, who had missed the previous seven games and 28 of the past 31 with a high ankle sprain, didn’t score. He took three shots.
Bruins 4, Maple Leafs 2
BOSTON ó Tim Thomas made 30 saves, Phil Kessel and Peter Schaefer each had a goal and an assist and Boston eliminated Toronto from playoff contention.
The Bruins moved into a seventh place tie with idle Philadelphia, while Toronto missed the playoffs for the third straight year. It was the first time since the 1926-28 seasons they have gone three years without a playoff appearance.
Rangers 3, Devils 2
NEW YORK ó Nigel Dawes scored the tiebreaking goal while sliding on his back into Devils goalie Martin Brodeur late in the third period and New York beat New Jersey for the seventh straight time this season.
The Devils lost their fifth straight (0-4-1).
Sabres 4, Senators 3, SO
OTTAWA ó Jason Pominville and Derek Roy scored in the shootout and Buffalo beat Ottawa.
Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller stopped Antoine Vermette and Daniel Alfredsson before Jason Spezza scored on Ottawa’s third attempt.
Capitals 4, Lightning 3, OT
TAMPA, Fla. ó Tomas Fleischmann scored with 2:33 left in overtime and Washington remained two points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Thrashers 3, Panthers 2
SUNRISE, Fla. ó Mark Recchi scored with 6:13 left in the third period to help Atlanta win.