Forsberg, Predators win in OT
Peter Forsberg scored his first goal for Nashville at 2:11 of overtime, and the Predators moved past Detroit into first place in the Central Division with a 4-3 victory over the Red Wings on Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn.
Tomas Holmstron had three power-play goals for the Red Wings, but Paul Kariya tied the score with 1:04 left in regulation and Forsberg then showed why Nashville traded for him less than two weeks ago.
Capitals 4, Devils 2: At East Rutherford, N.J., Alexander Semin had a goal and an assist and Brent Johnson made 29 saves as Washington ended a five-game losing streak with a win over New Jersey.
Islanders 3, Canadiens 2: At Uniondale, N.Y., Frans Nielsen’s first NHL goal turned out to be the game-winner and the Islanders defeated Montreal.
Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 2: At New York, Jason Chimera and Rick Nash scored short-handed goals in the second period to lift Columbus over the Rangers that put another crimp in New York’s fading playoff hopes.
Maple Leafs 5, Flyers 2: At Philadelphia, Alex Steen and Jeff O’Neill each had a goal and an assist to lead Toronto past Philadelphia.
Hurricanes 4, Thrashers 1: At Atlanta, Justin Williams scored twice and Rod Brind’Amour had two assists to help Carolina beat Atlanta.
Panthers 7, Bruins 2: At Sunrise, Fla., Chris Gratton scored two goals and Ed Belfour again dominated Boston in goal to help Florida beat the Bruins.
Belfour made 25 saves to run his career record against Boston to 19-7-3.
Senators 6, Sabres 5: At Ottawa, Jason Spezza scored his second goal of the game on a power play with 4:07 remaining and Ottawa beat Buffalo in a rematch of Thursday’s fight-filled game.
Flames 7, Sharks 4: At Calgary, Alberta, Jarome Iginla scored twice and added two assists, leading Calgary to a victory over San Jose. Daymond Langkow scored twice for the Flames.
Kings 6, Avalanche 5 (SO): At, Los Angeles, Rob Blake tied the game with 4 seconds left in regulation, Dustin Brown scored the deciding goal in the sixth round of a shootout and Los Angeles ended a seven-game home losing streak with a win over Colorado.
Off the ice
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was fined $10,000 by the NHL for his role in the brawl between Buffalo and the Ottawa Senators Thursday night. Sabres owner Tom Golisano urged the NHL to review its policy on violent hits to the head after the league chose not to punish Ottawa’s Chris Neil for blindsiding and knocking out Buffalo co-captain Chris Drury. In a letter addressed to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Golisano wrote, “I am deeply concerned with the standard the NHL has adopted that seems to allow violent hits to the head.” … Brendan Shanahan expects to play again this season even though he’s still feeling the effects of his first career concussion. … The Atlanta Thrashers acquired defenseman Alexei Zhitnik from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for former first-round draft pick Braydon Coburn. … The Anaheim Ducks acquired goaltender Gerald Coleman and a 2007 first-round draft pick from Tampa Bay in exchange for defenseman Shane O’Brien and a third-round pick next year.