Hockey roundup: Bruins move four points ahead of sliding Red Wings
Boston rallied to beat the Sabres on a third-period goal by Casey Mittlelstadt and a goal by Pavel Zacha just :38 seconds in OT.
The Boston Bruins moved four points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings in the Eastern Conference standings. Boston rallied to beat the Buffalo Sabres, 4-3, on a third-period goal by Casey Mittlelstadt and a goal by Pavel Zacha just :38 seconds in overtime. The Bruins now have 88 points, four more points than the Red Wings.
Boston moved into third place in the Atlantic Division because of more wins than the Montreal Canadiens. Detroit trails the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators by one point. The Red Wings will try and break a two-game losing streak on Friday against the first-place Sabres in Buffalo.
Hedman taking leave of absence Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman is taking a temporary leave of absence for personal reasons, the team announced on Wednesday. Hedman, a defenseman, logged just 4:44 of ice time before exiting Tampa Bay's 6-2 victory versus the Vancouver Canucks last Thursday due to an illness. He has sat out the last three games for the Lightning (44-21-5, 93 points), who host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.
"No further details will be shared, and the team asks that his privacy be respected at this time," the organization said in a statement while announcing Hedman's leave. Hedman, 35, has recorded 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) in 33 games this season. He has endured extended absences due to an undisclosed injury in November and elbow surgery in December.