The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak to eight games with a 2-1 victory over the hapless Atlanta Thrashers.
Phil Kessel netted his team-leading 22nd goal of the season and Manny Fernandez turned aside 32 shots as the red-hot Bruins matched their longest winning streak since stringing together victories over the final eight games of the 1992-93 campaign.
They have also won 13 of their last 14. Bryan Little scored for the sixth time in three contests for the Thrashers, who have one win in their last 11 games at home.
Brooks Laich and Alex Ovechkin scored two goals apiece to lead the Washington Capitals past the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Nicklas Backstrom and defenseman Mike Green each recorded a pair of assists for Washington. Jose Theodore finished with 23 saves for the Capitals, while Niklas Hagman scored for Toronto,
Dustin Byfuglien recorded two goals and two assists as the Chicago Blackhawks posted a franchise-best ninth consecutive victory with a 4-1 triumph over the Minnesota Wild.
Rookie Kris Versteeg had a goal and two assists, Martin Havlat also scored and Cristobal Huet turned aside 18 shots for Chicago. Rookie Cal Clutterbuck scored and Niklas Backstrom finished with 28 saves for Minnesota
Bobby Ryan scored a power-play goal to snap a tie with just over seven minutes remaining in the third period as the Anaheim Ducks rallied for a 4-3 triumph over the St. Louis Blues.
Defenseman Steve Montador knotted the game at 3-3 seven minutes into the third off an assist from Ryan, who later converted on his decisive shot with 7:11 remaining in the session. Blue-liner Scott Niedermayer had a goal with a man advantage and added an assist and Rob Niedermayer also scored for the Ducks.
Curtis Sanford made 18 saves to record his first shutout of the season, leading the Canucks to a 3-0 victory over the slumping Ottawa Senators. Henrik Sedin and Pavol Demitra each scored a goal and set up another for Vancouver, which avoided a third straight loss.
Erik Cole scored a goal and had two assists and Sam Gagner and defenseman Sheldon Souray each scored and set up a goal as the Edmonton Oilers used a key second-period surge to cruise past the Nashville Predators 5-2.