NHL roundup

Canadiens get some help

Associated Press / February 1, 2009

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Saku Koivu's power-play goal with 22.3 seconds remaining gave host Montreal a 4-3 victory over Los Angeles yesterday to snap the Canadiens' four-game losing streak.

Koivu scored off a scramble in front of - and perhaps with some help from - former UMass goalie Jonathan Quick.

"I saw the puck when I turned, it was right in front of the goalie and I just tried to stuff it in," Koivu said. "I don't know if I hit it or not and it was just laying down there and kind of got underneath the goalie and I think he pushed it over the line himself."

The Canadiens had tied the game 1:30 earlier when Christopher Higgins scored his first goal in three games since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him since Dec. 9.

Capitals 4, Red Wings 2 - Alex Ovechkin broke a third-period tie with another highlight-reel goal and added a power-play tally less than two minutes later in host Washington's victory over Detroit.

Ovechkin sneaked the puck through his legs, and used defenseman Brian Rafalski as a shield before pushing a low shot past Ty Conklin.

Ducks 4, Avalanche 3 - Teemu Selanne became Anaheim's career leader in games played (617) and scored the winning goal as the visiting Ducks handed Colorado its fourth straight loss.

Hurricanes 2, Thrashers 0 - Cam Ward made 19 saves and Matt Cullen had a goal and an assist for the second straight game as host Carolina downed Atlanta.

Maple Leafs 5, Penguins 4 - Jason Blake beat Mathieu Garon with a wrist shot with 9:55 left and host Toronto held on to beat Pittsburgh.

Blues 4, Flyers 0 - Chris Mason made 35 saves for his 15th career shutout and second in three games as host St. Louis beat Philadelphia.

Sabres 2, Coyotes 0 - Ryan Miller made 28 saves for his fourth shutout of the season to lead Buffalo in Glendale, Ariz.

Blackhawks 4, Sharks 2 - Jonathan Toews scored twice, ending Evgeni Nabokov's franchise record scoreless streak at 170:58, as Chicago handed San Jose its second loss in 27 home games.

Stars 7, Blue Jackets 3 - James Neal scored twice as visiting Dallas beat Columbus for its fourth victory in a row.

Islanders 3, Panthers 1 - Yann Danis made 37 saves to lead host New York to its third straight victory.

Wild 4, Canucks 3 - Marc-Andre Bergeron scored his second goal on a power play 2:02 into overtime, and visiting Minnesota recovered after blowing a late lead to beat Vancouver.