NHL-Highlights of Thursday's National Hockey League games

Oct 16 (The Sports Xchange) - Highlights of Thursday's National Hockey League games Stars 3, Penguins 2 Center Sidney Crosby scored a power-play goal for the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he also took the tripping call in the closing seconds that cost his team the game, as Dallas center Tyler Seguin scored a power-play goal from the left-wing circle with just 2.9 seconds left to lift the Stars to a come-from-behind win. The Stars (2-1-1) scored two goals in the last five minutes to tie and then win the game. They tied the contest at 17:03 in the third period when left winger Jamie Benn picked up a rebound in the slot and snapped it past Marc-Andre Fleury to even the game. Crosby opened the scoring at 2:28 in the first period with his fourth score of the season, while Chris Kunitz put the Penguins ahead 2-0 about five minutes later. Penguins (2-1-0) forward Pascal Dupuis was struck in the neck and upper back area while laying on the ice after a cross-check in the first period, and had to be taken off. - - - Islanders 4, Sharks 3 (Overtime) Center John Tavares' goal in the fifth round of a shootout lifted the New York Islanders to a dramatic win over the San Jose Sharks. Both teams had managed one shootout score before Tavares tucked his shot into the upper right corner. New York improved to 4-0-0 for only the third time in franchise history. Kyle Okposo, defenseman Nick Leddy and center Josh Bailey scored in regulation for the Islanders. The shootout loss for the Sharks (3-0-1) wasted a magnificent performance by Stalock, who made 42 saves in regulation and overtime. - - - Capitals 6, Devils 2 Left winger Alex Ovechkin, right winger Chris Brown, left winger Marcus Johansson, center Nicklas Backsktrom, right winger Joel Ward and center Andre Burakovsky scored goals, and Washington routed New Jersey. It was the first home win for the Capitals (2-0-2) and the first loss of the season for the Devils (3-1-0). New Jersey received two goals from rookie defenseman Damon Severson. Devils goaltender Cory Schneider allowed five goals on 26 shots, including one by Ward that caromed off the boards and off the back of his leg, prompting Devils coach Peter DeBoer to pull him. Backup goalie Scott Clemmensen allowed one goal on seven shots. - - - Rangers 2, Hurricanes 1 (Shootout) Right winger Rick Nash scored the only goal during a shootout to give the New York Rangers a win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Rangers center Derick Brassard tied the score midway through the third period with his third goal of the season, deflecting a shot by defenseman Dan Girardi that initially ricocheted off right winger Mats Zuccarello. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 shots for the Rangers, who snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 2-3-0. - - - Canadiens 6, Bruins 4 Right winger Brendan Gallagher's second goal of the night stood as the game-winner to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a victory over the Boston Bruins. Left wingers Max Pacioretty and Jiri Sekac, and right winger Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau (twice) also scored for Montreal (3-1-0), which was facing the Bruins for the first time since eliminating their long-time rival from the playoffs last spring. Defenseman Zdeno Chara, center Carl Soderberg and left wingers Loui Eriksson and Simon Gagne provided the offense for Boston (2-4-0). - - - Senators 5, Avalanche 3 The Ottawa Senators overcame a shaky start to score a victory over the Colorado Avalanche in their home opener. Senators wingers Bobby Ryan and Clarke MacArthur tallied third-period goals three minutes apart to complete a comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Winger Chris Neil added an empty-netter with 1:22 left to seal the win. The Avalanche (1-3-1) scored three times on their first six shots, but Senators (3-1-0) goalie Craig Anderson settled down to stop the last 25 shots he faced. Pickard, who was seeing his first NHL action as an emergency injury replacement, wound up making 24 stops. (Editing by Jahmal Corner)