Associated Press
RALEIGH ó Glen Metropolit scored two power-play goals after Andrei Markov had his third in three games, and the Montreal Canadiens routed the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 on Wednesday.
Brandon Sutter scored for Carolina, which pulled starting goalie Cam Ward after he allowed three goals on seven shots in 91/2 minutes. Manny Legace made 16 saves in relief for the only NHL team that hasn’t cracked double digits in victories.
Penguins 8, Senators 2
PITTSBURGH ó Evgeni Malkin had his fourth career hat trick, Bill Guerin added two goals and two assists, and Pittsburgh headed into the holiday break tied with New Jersey atop the NHL standings with 53 points.Rangers 4, Panthers 1
NEW YORK ó Vinny Prospal broke out of a 14-game drought with a pair of goals. Marian Gaborik scored his NHL-leading 26th goal on a short-handed breakaway.
Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 0
DETROIT ó Antti Niemi made 33 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, and Patrick Kane had a goal and an assist.
Capitals 5, Sabres 2
WASHINGTON ó Nicklas Backstrom had two goals. Alex Ovechkin added a goal and two assists.
Bruins 6, Thrashers 4
BOSTON ó Marc Savard, Daniel Paille and Vladimir Sobotka scored during a 1:08 span of the first period, and Savard added two assists.
Wild 3, Oilers 1
ST. PAUL, Minn. ó Niklas Backstrom made 30 saves to improve to 14-1 in his career against Edmonton.
Islanders 3, Maple Leafs 1
UNIONDALE, N.Y. ó Trent Hunter and John Tavares scored 90 seconds apart in the second period.
Flyers 5, Lightning 2
TAMPA, Fla. ó Blair Betts and Mike Richards each had two goals.