Perron caps Senators' three-goal second period in 3-2 win over Devils

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — David Perron scored a power-play goal to cap Ottawa's three-goal second period, and the Ottawa Senators held on to beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday night.

Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson also scored to help the Senators win for the seventh time in their last nine games. Linus Ullmark finished with 25 saves.

Nico Hischier and Erik Haula scored for the Devils, who have lost three of four. Jake Allen had 16 saves.

Tkachuk gave Ottawa a 1-0 lead with his 28th at 4:05 of the second, and Batherson doubled the lead with his 20th at 4:38.

Hischier's power play goal at 7:13 got the Devils on the scoreboard. It was his 30th and extended his point streak to six games.

However, Perron extended the lead to 3-1 with his sixth 1:31 later.

Haula pulled the Devils back within one with his eighth with 23 seconds left in the third.

New Jersey had several prime chances in the final 20 seconds, looking to tie it, but Ullmark made several stops and Sanderson clearing the puck near the goalmouth.

Ottawa: The Senators hold the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, and pulled one point behind the Devils for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Ottawa has played two fewer games.

New Jersey: The Devils have lost six of their last 10 games, and are in danger of falling into a wild card spot.

Stutzle and Sanderson scored 33 seconds apart early in the second period to give the Senators a 2-0 lead.

Jesper Bratt got his 61st assist of the season on Hischier's goal, passing Scott Stevens (60 in 1993-94) for the franchise record.

Ottawa visits Buffalo on Tuesday, while Devils host Vancouver on Monday to finish a three-game homestand.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Ottawa Senators center Ridly Greig (71) and New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen keep their eyes on the puck during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen reacts during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Ottawa Senators center Tim Stützle (18) shoots past New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark defends his net in front of New Jersey Devils center Curtis Lazar (42) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Ottawa Senators left wing David Perron (57) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game as New Jersey Devils defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic, left, looks on Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)