National Hockey League Game Capsules
St. Paul, MN (SportsNetwork.com) – David Booth scored two goals, Eddie Lack made 29 saves and the Vancouver Canucks continued their playoff push with a 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Canucks, who have won three straight games for the first time since Dec. 20-29, climbed to within four points of Phoenix for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Vancouver played Wednesday without captain Henrik Sedin. The forward didn’t accompany the team on its two-game road trip that ends Thursday in Denver, and is listed as day-to-day with a left knee injury suffered in Sunday’s win against Buffalo. The Wild remain three points ahead of the Coyotes for the top wild- card spot, but have hit a rough patch. Minnesota has dropped three straight at Xcel Energy Center and eight of its last 11 games overall.
Final Score: NY Rangers 3, Philadelphia 1
New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Henrik Lundqvist turned aside 30 shots and the New York Rangers created some distance from the Philadelphia Flyers in the Metropolitan Division race by notching a 3-1 victory in a key late-season matchup. Lundqvist’s effort was supported by goals from Derek Dorsett, Ryan McDonagh and Dominic Moore and ran the Rangers’ win streak to a season-high five games. The result also moved New York three points ahead of the Flyers for second place in the division, though Philadelphia still has two games in hand. Lundqvist took a shutout deep into the third period before Jakub Voracek spoiled the bid with 1:53 remaining. Steve Mason stopped 26 shots in the loss, the Flyers’ eighth straight in regulation at Madison Square Garden since a 4-2 decision over the Blueshirts on Feb. 20, 2011.
Final Score: Anaheim 3, Calgary 2
Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Mathieu Perreault and Andrew Cogliano scored in the third period as the visiting Anaheim Ducks rallied to beat the Calgary Flames, 3-2. The Ducks were routed 7-2 by the Flames in their last trip to the Saddledome two weeks ago and trailed 2-1 after two periods on Wednesday before mounting a comeback. Jonas Hiller made 32 saves for Anaheim, which closed to within two points of first-place San Jose in the Pacific Division. The Ducks do have two games in hand. Karri Ramo stopped 31 shots for the Flames, who were seeking a third straight win.
Categorized in: NHL