Detroit scored as overtime expired to avoid a shootout and edge the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in an exciting National Hockey League contest Friday.
Pavel Datsyuk scored the winning power-play goal with one second left in the five minute extra session to lift the Red Wings in Chicago. In the third period, Detroit erased a two-goal deficit in the final 39 seconds with tallies from Nicklas Lidstrom and Kris Draper to send the game into overtime. Goalie Chris Osgood made 29 saves for the win.
Washington rookie sensation Alexander Ovechkin scored, and veteran Jeff Halpern made three assists as the Capitals defeated the visiting Montreal Canadiens 4-2. Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig stopped 42 shots to help the Caps win back-to-back games for only the second time this season.
The Philadelphia Flyers blew a three-goal lead, but recovered in time to beat Pittsburgh 5-4, and deny the Penguins their first win under new coach Michel Therrien. Mike Knuble and Peter Forsberg scored late-game goals to rally the Flyers in Pittsburgh. The Flyers lead their Atlantic division (21-8-5), while Pittsburgh has lost 11 of its last 12 games. The Pens are 0-3 with Therrien behind the bench.
Meanwhile, Calgary and St. Louis both won in shootouts Friday. Calgary's Steven Reinprecht scored a pair of goals in regulation and scored again in the post-overtime shootout to lift the Flames 6-5 over the Vancouver Canucks. And St. Louis center Petr Cajanek scored in a shootout against San Jose as the Blues topped the Sharks 2-1.
Other NHL winners Friday were the Senators, Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Predators, Sabres, Thrashers, Wild, Coyotes and Oilers.
The Ottawa Senators knocked off the New York Islanders 4-2, the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Boston Bruins 2-1, and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Florida Panthers 4-3. The Nashville Predators defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4, the Buffalo Sabres trounced the defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1, and the Atlanta Thrashers shut out the New Jersey Devils 1-0. The Minnesota Wild overpowered the Colorado Avalanche 5-3, the Dallas Stars fell 3-2 to the Phoenix Coyotes and the Edmonton Oilers skated past the Los Angeles Kings 5-3.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, and Reuters.
