Red Wings hang in wildcard chase, Bruins win NHL thriller

The Detroit Red Wings are hanging on in the chase for the second Eastern Conference wildcard spot after a tough 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild.

A win was needed for the Red Wings' play-off hopes and they delivered courtesy of a fine performance from Riley Sheahan.

The forward notched a goal and an assist to the help the home side to their massive win.

Sheahan joined Dylan Larkin and Tomas Tatar on the scoresheet after their first- and second-period efforts respectively.

The win put them level on 89 points with the Philadelphia Flyers for the wildcard and one point off third in the Atlantic Division.

That position is still occupied by the Boston Bruins courtesy of their thrilling 6-5 win over the St. Louis Blues.

The Blues took the lead 14 minutes, four seconds into the first period but that lead lasted all of 41 second before Loui Eriksson and David Krejci combined to put the Bruins in front.

A three-goal second period saw the Bruins charge ahead and they held on from there.

Patrick Kane scored his 40th goal of the season for the Chicago Blackhawks as they won 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets.

It was the first time Kane had reached the 40-mark in his career.

Brent Seabrook scored the winner for the visiting Blackhawks.

The Washington Capitals claimed win number 55 with a solid 4-2 victory at the Colorado Avalanche, while the Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-2.