Kovalev's two goals lift Canadiens

Alex Kovalev scored twice, including the winner 39 seconds into overtime, lifting the Montreal Canadiens to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres last night in Buffalo.

Radek Bonk had a shorthanded goal for the Canadiens, who appeared unfazed by news that goaltender Jose Theodore tested positive for a banned substance. The Canadiens improved to 3-0-1 in their past four games.

''You can't let down," Kovalev said. ''The confidence is coming back and that's nice to see."

The Sabres had a six-game winning streak snapped and also lost forward Jochen Hecht, who will miss at least two weeks because of a sprained knee. The injury also will force Hecht -- a member of the German national team -- to miss the Turin Olympics.

Hecht, who scored the Sabres' first goal, was hurt after being checked by Montreal's Jan Bulis midway through the third period. Bulis broke up a scoring chance, upending Hecht, who failed to get a shot off while set up to the left of the net.

Montreal's Cristobal Huet stopped 26 shots, improving to 3-1-1 in his past five starts. Theodore, who wasn't scheduled to start, watched the game from the bench. The test doesn't affect his NHL status.

Stars 5, Coyotes 1 -- Niko Kapanen scored three goals, Sergei Zubov added three assists, and visiting Dallas beat embattled Phoenix. The loss was Phoenix's second straight since a criminal complaint was filed Monday accusing Coyotes assistant coach Rick Tocchet of financing a gambling ring.

Johan Hedberg made 35 saves for Dallas, which won for the eighth time in nine games (8-0-1).

Avalanche 2, Wild 1 -- Joe Sakic's goal with 5:44 remaining helped visiting Colorado beat Minnesota and improve to 12-3-3 in its past 18 games.

After Todd White tied the score earlier in the third period, the Wild put pressure on Avalanche goalie David Aebischer and had several prime chances to take the lead. But Aebischer, who has an 11-3-2 record since the new year, didn't budge. He made 33 saves.

Lightning 5, Hurricanes 3 -- John Grahame came off the bench early in the second period to make 28 saves, and Fredrik Modin had two goals as host Tampa Bay topped Carolina.

Grahame replaced starter Sean Burke, who surrendered three goals on eight shots, after Erik Cole's goal put the Hurricanes ahead, 3-2, at 4:08 of the second. Grahame stopped 14 shots in the second, including a Cole penalty shot at 11:39.

Thrashers 2, Senators 1 -- Ilya Kovalchuk and Andy Sutton scored power-play goals and Kari Lehtonen made 34 saves as visiting Atlanta won for the second time in three games after a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Red Wings 3, Predators 2 -- Mathieu Schneider scored with 6:31 left, and Detroit beat host Nashville for the second time in two nights.