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NHL: Hecht’s hot hand keys Buffalo win

Devils' David Clarkson dives for the puck in front of Sabres goalie Ryan Miller during second-period action. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Devils' David Clarkson dives for the puck in front of Sabres goalie Ryan Miller during second-period action. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Jochen Hecht scored twice in leading the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils in a meeting of the Eastern Conference’s top two teams Wednesday night in Buffalo, N.Y.

Rookie Daniel Paille and Ales Kotalik also scored, while Ryan Miller stopped 28 shots to help the Sabres extended their lead atop the East standings to seven points over the Devils, as well as idle Pittsburgh and Ottawa.

The Sabres also moved into a tie for first place in the NHL with Nashville, and inched to within one victory of their second consecutive 50-win season.

Scott Gomez, Paul Martin and Zach Parise scored for the Devils. Martin Brodeur stopped 19 shots and remains three wins short of matching Bernie Parent’s single-season record for victories at 47.

Flyers 5, Hurricanes 1: At Philadelphia, Martin Biron stopped a penalty shot among his 23 saves and the Flyers stymied Carolina’s playoff push with a victory.

The Hurricanes could have moved into a playoff position in the Eastern Conference with a win, but instead the defending Stanley Cup champions are still on the outside of the cutoff line after their second loss in two nights.

The NHL-worst Flyers were all but eliminated from the postseason picture in November and entered on a four-game losing streak. But sturdy goaltending from Biron, two goals from Jeff Carter, and one each from Derian Hatcher, Mike Knuble and Braydon Coburn were enough for only their ninth home win this season.

Former Spokane Chiefs standout Ray Whitney scored his 30th goal for the Hurricanes.

Panthers 3, Thrashers 2 (SO): At Sunrise, Fla., Jozef Stumpel scored the tying goal in the third period and notched the winner in the shootout, leading Florida to a victory over Atlanta.

The victory was only Florida’s fourth in 18 overtimes this season. The Panthers’ 14 overtime losses are tied for the most in the league with the Los Angeles Kings.

Ducks 3, Blackhawks 1: At Chicago, rookie Dustin Penner scored two goals and Ilya Bryzgalov made 20 saves to lead Anaheim to a victory over the Blackhawks.

Corey Perry set up both of Penner’s goals as first-place Anaheim reached 102 points, four ahead of Dallas and San Jose in the Pacific Division.