Saturday, January 20, 2007
Devils 4, Flyers 3
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Brian Gionta scored the tying goal with 20.8 seconds remaining in regulation and had the only goal in the shootout to lead New Jersey over Philadelphia. Gionta, first up for the Devils in the shootout, whipped the puck past Antero Niittymaki to cap New Jersey's comeback. Simon Gagne, first for the Flyers in the shootout, fired wide and Martin Brodeur made saves on Peter Forsberg and Mike Richards. Scott Gomez and Jamie Langenbrunner also scored for the Devils in regulation. New Jersey has won 10 of its last 13 and entered the All-Star break with a 13-point lead atop the Atlantic Division. Ryan Potulny, Kyle Calder and Gagne scored for the Flyers, losers of eight straight.
Thrashers 3, Rangers 1
NEW YORK -- Niclas Havelid scored his second goal of the season 4:09 into the third period to snap a tie and lift Atlanta past New York. The defenseman, who hadn't netted a goal in 10 games, took the puck at the right point -- after Steve Rucchin won an offensive zone faceoff -- skated all the way down to the right post and flicked a short backhander that pinballed off goalie Henrik Lundqvist and found its way between his pads. That was enough to give the Southeast Division-leading Thrashers their third win in four games and send them into the All-Star break well on the way to their first playoff berth in seven NHL seasons.
Marian Hossa scored his NHL-leading 30th goal, and Ilya Kovalchuk also scored for Atlanta. Jaromir Jagr scored for New York, which limps into the hiatus having lost four of five and 11 of 16.
Panthers 4, Capitals 1
WASHINGTON -- Martin Gelinas scored twice, and Ville Peltonen added a goal and an assist to give Florida a victory over Washington. Florida snapped a two-game losing streak overall and a five-game slide on the road in the teams' last game before the All-Star game. Washington, limited by several recent injuries on defense, has lost four of its last five. The Panthers pressured the Capitals' young defense throughout, coming up with numerous scoring chances and a 42-18 advantage in shots. Olie Kolzig stopped 38 shots and Dainius Zubrus scored the game's first goal for Washington, but the Panthers took charge after that.
Associated Press
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