Winners Losers Penguins extend streak gain ground on Rangers

WinnersPittsburgh Penguins: Even though they were down three of their top Kyle Ryan Jersey defensemen -- , and -- the Pittsburgh Penguins were able to extend their winning streak to eight games on Friday night, defeating the Florida Panthers by a 2-1 margin at the Consol Energy Center in a shootout thanks to goals from and . It wasn't always the most exciting game, but the Penguins were able to get the job done with a shorthanded defense and continued to gain ground on the New York Rangers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference.For weeks it appeared that the Rangers had a stranglehold on the division, and the top seed, but their recent slump -- which continued with a 4-3 lo s in Chicago on Friday -- combined with the Penguins winning streak has narrowed the gap to just four points, and the teams still meet two more times this season, including this upcoming Thursday night in New York at Madison Square Garden. It's already setting up to be a huge game Related: -- Calgary Flames: The Flames wrapped up their three-game homestand with Ian Happ Jersey a 5-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets, taking five of a po sible six points over the three games, moving them into the ninth spot in the Western Conference, just one point behind the San Jose Sharks for the eighth playoff spot. stopped 42 of 45 shots in the win. Related: Detroit Red Wings: The Detroit Red Wings generated 15 shots on goal on Friday night. A team that is built on puck po se sion and pounding its opponents down by controlling the puck and playing in the offensive zone, recorded 15 shots on goal in a 60-minute game. Fortunately, four of them found a way to beat Kings goaltender , as the Red Wings earned a 4-3 win, erasing what was a 3-2 Joe Maddon Jersey Kings lead with le s than four minutes to play in regulation. scored the game-winner with just over a minute to play in the third period, while added a pair of goals in the win, helping to snap what had been a two-game losing skid. Related: LosersLos Angeles Kings: And if the Red Wings were winners in that game, then the Kings were most definitely losers. After gave Los Angeles a Fergie Jenkins Jersey 3-2 lead with just under five minutes to play in regulation, it appeared as if the Kings were going to pick up an important two points in their quest to qualify for the postseason, only to watch as the Red Wings found just enough offense to get the win. A win that would have James Norwood Jersey pushed the Kings ahead of the San Jose Sharks, at least for the time being, for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference. Instead, they remain on the outside looking in. Related: Winnipeg Jets The Jets failed to gain any ground in the Southeast Division race due to their lo s in Calgary, and remain just outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture. A slow start did them in on Friday night, falling behind 3-0 early to the Flames, a deficit they were never able to overcome.