Thrashers turn up power on Rangers
Ilya Kovalchuk scored the tying goal late in regulation and Marc Savard netted the winner 2:45 into overtime on Atlanta's second shot of the extra session, lifting the Thrashers to a 3-2 comeback victory over the Rangers last night at Madison Square Garden, sending New York to its fifth straight loss.
Both goals came on the power play that until Kovalchuk scored with 4:41 remaining in regulation was 0 for 6. He then set up Savard's 25th goal, scored with a rising shot from the right circle.
New York has scored just six goals in its longest skid this season. Kovalchuk is tied for second in the NHL with 42 goals -- one more than his league-leading total in the 2003-04 season and two fewer than Jaromir Jagr, whose second-period goal gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Wild 4, Oilers 3 -- Brian Rolston and Pierre-Marc Bouchard combined for eight points as host Minnesota overcame Edmonton despite Sergei Samsonov's first goal since being traded by the Bruins Thursday.
Rolston scored twice and had two assists, and Bouchard scored the winner and assisted on Minnesota's other three goals.
Samsonov's goal gave the Oilers a 2-1 lead in the first period when he deked goaltender Manny Fernandez to his knees, then lifted a rising shot just under the crossbar.
Senators 5, Capitals 2 -- Dany Heatley and Jason Spezza each had a goal and two assists to power Ottawa at Washington.
Wade Redden, Patrick Eaves, and Chris Neil also scored for Ottawa, and Ray Emery made 25 saves as the Senators improved to 38-0 when scoring at least four goals.
Avalanche 3, Flames 0 -- Peter Budaj stopped 33 shots for his first career shutout and host Colorado moved into first place in the Northwest, a point ahead of Calgary.
Red Wings 5, Blackhawks 3 -- Pavel Datsyuk and Mathieu Schneider each had a goal and two assists, and Detroit defeated host Chicago.
Penguins 2, Flyers 0 -- Rookie Colby Armstrong scored both goals, and host Pittsburgh killed a late 7-minute Philadelphia power play to win its second game in two nights.
Mighty Ducks 5, Coyotes 2 -- Rob Niedermayer set up third-period goals by Samuel Pahlsson and Jeff Friesen, and host Anaheim handed Phoenix its third straight loss.
