Rangers win, keep playoff hopes alive
A week off did wonders for the New York Rangers and their playoff hopes.
During a five-day break from games between last weekend and this one, the Rangers could only watch as teams pushed them below the postseason cutoff.
With a pair of home wins, New York is right back in the thick of the hunt.
Ryan Callahan scored twice and Chris Drury added a power-play goal and an assist Sunday for the host Rangers, who finally beat a Western Conference team with a solid 3-1 effort against the San Jose Sharks.
That came on the heels of a relatively easy 5-1 rout over Buffalo at home Saturday. New York is back in the mix after dropping to ninth.
Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves for the Rangers, who beat a Western team in their last chance after going 0-7-2 in the first nine.
Canadiens 5, Flyers 3: Alex Kovalev had a goal and two assists to lead Montreal to a win over host Philadelphia, the Flyers’ seventh straight loss.
The Flyers have taken a stunning freefall from division leaders to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. Their season-high skid has left them one point ahead of Boston and Buffalo (64).
Blues 5, Blue Jackets 1: Brad Boyes’ 31st goal snapped a five-game point drought, Eric Brewer had a career-best four assists and the Blues scored a season-high three power-play goals in a victory over visiting Columbus.
Penguins 4, Sabres 1: Evgeni Malkin had a goal and assist and Ty Conklin stopped 36 shots in leading Pittsburgh past host Buffalo in N.Y. The win moved the Penguins into a tie with New Jersey atop the Atlantic Division.
Blackhawks 2, Avalanche 1: Patrick Lalime stopped 21 shots and defenseman James Wisniewski had two assists in Chicago’s home victory over Colorado, the third straight win for the Blackhawks.
Stars 1, Red Wings 0: Marty Turco made 28 saves for his 32nd career shutout and second victory in 15 tries against Detroit, and Niklas Hagman scored as Dallas handed the visiting Red Wings their season-high sixth straight loss.
Ducks 4, Flames 2: Teemu Selanne set an Anaheim record with his 670th point on an assist during the Ducks’ four-goal, second-period outburst and Anaheim beat Calgary in Anaheim, Calif. Selanne set the team record when he fed Ryan Carter for the go-ahead goal at 4:36 of the second period.
Wild 5, Predators 4 (OT): Marian Gaborik scored the winner with 4.4 seconds left in overtime, and Minnesota held off Nashville in St. Paul, Minn.
Ice chips
Former NHL MVP Peter Forsberg, who has not played since last season, could decide by Tuesday if he will play again. Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren expected Forsberg to decide if he wants to resume his career after struggling with foot and ankle injuries. … Columbus activated center Sergei Fedorov from injured reserve.