BUFFALO, New York: The Buffalo Sabres prevailed 2-1 after a shootout in a clash of NHL divisional leaders on Wednesday, handing another defeat to the suddenly punchless New Jersey Devils.
Jason Pominville and Jochen Hecht scored shootout goals, after Adam Mair had scored in regulation. Brian Rolston scored for the offensively-challenged Devils, who’ve scored just 12 times during an eight-game stretch in which they’ve won only twice.
Capitals 5, Ducks 1: In Washington, free-scoring Washington Capitals got three goals in less than three minutes in the third period to cap an easy win over Anaheim and an eighth straight victory.
Shaone Morrisonn, Mike Knuble and Alexander Semin scored on consecutive shots early in the third period to break open the game. The Capitals’ winning streak is their longest since they also won eight in a row in 1988-89.
Canucks 3, Blues 2: In Vancouver, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff scored a late power-play goal from a sharp angle to give Vancouver a win over St. Louis.
Mason Raymond had put the Canucks ahead with his second goal of the game early in the third period, but St. Louis’ T.J. Oshie tied it midway through.
The Canucks won a sixth straight game for the first time since 2006-07 and moved two points ahead of Colorado atop the Northwest Division.
Stars 4, Flames 3, SO: In Dallas, Loui Eriksson scored in the third round of the shootout to give Dallas victory over Calgary.
Stars goalie Alex Auld stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout as Dallas won its fourth straight at home.
Wild 5, Red Wings 2: In St. Paul, Minnesota, Antti Miettinen got Minnesota going with a pair of first-period goals, and Detroit’s defense fell apart late.
Lightning 3, Canadiens 0: In Tampa, Florida, Vincent Lecavalier scored a nifty goal with his stick between his legs and added an assist to help Tampa Bay defeat Montreal.
Antero Niittymaki made 33 saves for Tampa Bay for his first shutout of the season and fifth overall.
