Associated Press
The NHL roundup …
CHICAGO ó Ryan Johnson, Dave Bolland and Patrick Kane scored in a 4:32 span early in the third period to break open a tight game, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 on Friday night to extend their season-high winning streak to seven games.
Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell scored in the first period for surging Chicago, which led only 2-1 after 40 minutes. Toews has goals in four consecutive games, scoring six times and adding two assists in the span. He also stretched his points streak to eight games, with seven goals and seven assists during the run.
Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner scored for the Hurricanes, whose two-game winning streak ended.
Rangers 4, Senators 1
OTTAWA ó Even though the New York Rangers believe their playoff destiny is theirs to determine, they admit that they do a little scoreboard-watching.
Derek Stepan had a goal and an assist, Mats Zuccarello and Artem Anisimov scored 12 seconds apart in the second period and the Rangers ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory over Ottawa.
Vinny Prospal also scored to help New York move into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, a point ahead of Carolina and five behind sixth-place Montreal.
Devils 2, Penguins 1, OT
NEWARK, N.J. ó Ilya Kovalchuk scored on a power play with 24.9 seconds left in overtime and the New Jersey Devils continued their remarkable playoff push with a victory over Pittsburgh.
The goal was the second straight winner for the $100 million man, his sixth in the last 12 games and his ninth of the season. New Jersey won for the 19th time in 23 games (19-2-2) and handed the injury ravaged Penguins their eighth loss in 10 games (2-5-3). The Devils are 12th in the Eastern Conference, nine points behind eighth-place Carolina in the race for a playoff spot.
Travis Zajac scored in regulation for the Devils and Martin Brodeur made 25 saves.
Tyler Kennedy scored for Pittsburgh, which continues to play without Sidney Crosby (concussion).
Flames 4, Blue Jackets 3
CALGARY, Alberta ó Rene Bourque and Curtis Glencross scored power-play goals for Calgary in a 1:21 span in the second period with Columbus’ Antoine Vermette serving a double-minor for high-sticking.
The Blue Jackets failed on two chances against Miikka Kiprusoff.