Kovalchuk takes over NHL scoring lead

Ilya Kovalchuk and Andy Sutton scored power-play goals and Kari Lehtonen made 34 saves, leading Atlanta to a 2-1 win over Ottawa on Thursday in Ottawa.

Kovalchuk tied the game late in the second with his 37th goal, which moved him ahead of the New York Rangers’ Jaromir Jagr for the league lead. Sutton put Atlanta ahead midway through the third with his third of the season.

Marc Savard and Niclas Havelid combined to set up both power-play goals for Atlanta, which won for the second time in three games following a season-high seven-game losing streak.

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

Canadiens 3, Sabres 2 (OT): At Buffalo, Alex Kovalev scored twice, including the winner 39 seconds into overtime, lifting Montreal past Buffalo. Sabres forward and German national team player Jochen Hecht will miss at least two weeks, including the Turin Olympics, after spraining his knee in the game.

Devils 3, Bruins 2 (OT): At Boston, Brian Gionta scored his second goal in overtime and Martin Brodeur made 37 saves for New Jersey.

Avalanche 2, Wild 1: At St. Paul, Minn., Joe Sakic’s goal with 5:44 left lifted Colorado past Minnesota.

Red Wings 3, Predators 2: At Nashville, Tenn., Mathieu Schneider scored with 6:31 left for Detroit’s second win in two nights over its Central Division rival.

Stars 5, Coyotes 1: At Glendale, Ariz., Niko Kapanen scored three goals and Sergei Zubov added three assists as Dallas defeated Phoenix.

Around the league

Montreal goalie Jose Theodore has tested positive for a banned substance in pre-Olympic screening because he was using a hair-growth drug that can be used as a masking agent, the Canadiens’ team doctor said.