The three-game sweep of the NHL schedule from Friday night starts in Uniondale where the Ottawa Senators were looking to pick up two points in their climb up the Atlantic Division.
Andrew Hammond made 34 saves and lifted the Sens to a 2-1 regulation win over the Islanders.
Hammond is 9-0-1 and still has allowed two or fewer goals in those starts.
“I’m trying not to think about that stuff,” Hammond said. “It’s an extremely cool feat. I don’t think anyone expected. … I didn’t expect to start this way, but you have to play well to win games this time of year. We need to keep stringing wins together to give ourselves a chance.”
With the Boston Bruins idle Friday, the Senators moved to within five points of the B’s.
“Both teams (New York and Montreal) are going for the Presidents’ Trophy,” Senators forward Kyle Turris said. “Every game for us is like a playoff game now. We put ourselves in position where we have to play like that to make the playoffs. We just have to keep going.”
The Islanders were looking to retake first in the Metropolitan Division and assume the top spot in the Eastern Conference; instead they lost their second straight.
“It’s frustrating,” Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak said. “We had some opportunities. And all of sudden, they scored. It’s a tough, one but tomorrow (against the Canadiens) will be tough too. That’s a very big game and we have to be prepared for that.”
The Isles lost the Rangers earlier this week by the same score.
“If you can’t score, you can’t win,” Islanders coach Jack Capuano said. “We have to stay the course and grind it out.”
In Washington, the Capitals entertained the Dallas Stars and were doubled-up in a 4-2 loss.
Dallas was able to capitalize on their power play for three of the four goals.
“Every game was a little bit of a different story,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “We thought tonight, even on the back-to-back, we came out real well. I think we set the tone in the first six or seven minutes and we took the crowd out of the building.”
At a time they needed wins, the Stars were 4-1-0 on a five game swing through the east.
“I think every game is pretty much a must win from here on out for us,” captain Jamie Benn said. “I think we’re just playing a good team game. Our goalie (Kari Lehtonen) is playing great, and we’ve got a lot of guys stepping up at the right time.”
Dallas collected goals from Shawn Horcoff, Colton Sceviour, Tyler Seguin and Vernon Fiddler.
“We knew that this was going to be a good stretch for us and we wanted to take it 20 minutes at a time. That seems to be working for us, and that’s something we’ll stick to,” Fiddler said. “After the break, we had a few meetings and talked about details in our special teams. I think it’s just a little bit more awareness and everybody’s a little bit more on the same page. It’s starting to pay off in games for us. Our power play’s been really good, and our penalty kill’s taken a leap in the right direction.
“If you’re going to win games, you’re going to have to have strong special teams, and right now we’re getting it done.”
Braden Holtby took the loss on 18 saves and allowed all four Stars goals. He was relieved in the second by Justin Peters who faced nine shots and saved all of them.
“I thought that [with] the goals, they just needed a change,” Capitals coach Barry Trotz said. “Tyler Seguin just overpowered him on the third [goal], I thought … he had lots of time to walk it in; I mean a slap shot from the top of the circle from one of the top players in the National Hockey League, that’s not always an easy save.
“I just basically said if we get through that power play, if they get another goal, I’ll just give [Peters] some work because we needed a change, not necessarily Braden, but we needed a change in attitude on our bench.”
In Calgary, Sean Monahan (two goals), Jiri Hudler, Johnny Gaudreau, Drew Shore and Mikael Backlund scored for the Flames as they toyed with and then dispensed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-3.
Despite losing their captain, Mark Giordano, for the season the Flames have continued their climb up the standings.
“[Giordano] is a huge part of our team,” Monahan said. “I think with him out some guys have to step up. Right now we’re trying to be those guys and right now it’s working for us. We’re kind of doing it for him. He is a big part of our team. He’s our captain and he means a lot to us. We’re trying to step up and get the job done here for him.”
The Leafs got as close as 2-1 in the first period but from there the Flames turned up the pressure and made quick work of the win.
“Obviously they have a lot to play for on their side,” Leafs goaltender James Reimer said. “They’re battling for two points for a playoff spot. It’s a tight race over there. We’re fighting for our jobs and trying to prove to people we still want it and still have our pride.”
Hard to see any pride anywhere on the Leafs bench. Phil Kessel was his usual self, going -3 on the night and two shots on goal.
“We are clicking,” Monahan said. “All our games are a little bit different. [Hudler] is a playmaker and Johnny, he’s got speed and can make plays as well. With us together, we like to talk and sort things out out there. We’re getting the job done.”
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