NHL ROUNDUP \ Friday’s games

Bruins 4, Panthers 2

BOSTON — Marc Savard and Patrice Bergeron had a goal and an assist each to lead Boston to its eighth victory in nine games as the Bruins moved into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead. The Bruins, 11-1-1 in their last 13 games and the winners of seven straight at home, matched the idle New York Rangers with 30 points in the conference race. Phil Kessel and David Krejci added goals for Boston. David Booth and Ville Peltonen scored for Florida. Phil Kessel and David Krejci added goals for Boston. David Booth and Ville Peltonen scored for Florida. The victory was also only the second for the Bruins in their last nine home games against Florida. The Panthers are one of only two NHL teams — Minnesota is the other — with winning records against the Bruins in Boston.

Hurricanes 5, Coyotes 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — Eric Staal scored three goals in less than 24 minutes to lead Carolina. Busting out of an eight-game scoring drought in a big way, Staal completed his fifth career hat trick in the final minute of the second period to lead the Hurricanes to their season-high third straight victory. Ray Whitney scored two late goals, including one into an empty net. Joni Pitkanen had three assists and Cam Ward stopped 26 shots for Carolina. Shane Doan and Kevin Porter scored and Ilja Bryzgalov made 28 saves for the streaky Coyotes, who have lost four straight since winning three in a row.

Devils 5, Islanders 2

NEWARK, N.J. — David Clarkson and Travis Zajac scored 10 seconds apart late in the first period, and Kevin Weekes made 25 saves for his 100th career victory. Bryce Salvador, Brian Gionta and Paul Martin also scored, and Jamie Langenbrunner and Zach Parise each had three assists to help the Devils win their third straight game and snap the Islanders’ winning streak at three. Andy Hilbert and Sean Bergenheim scored for the Islanders.

Lightning 4, Predators 1

TAMPA, Fla. — Vincent Lecavalier had two goals to help Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet get his first NHL victory. Mark Recchi and Vinny Prospal also scored to help the Lightning snap a five-game losing streak. Tocchet, who replaced the fired Barry Melrose on Nov. 14, lost his first two games as Tampa Bay’s coach in shootouts. Tampa Bay left wing Ryan Malone returned after missing the previous four games because of a lower-body injury and had three assists. However, he left in the second with an undisclosed injury. Jordin Tootoo scored for Nashville.

Flyers 3, Sabres 0

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Martin Biron made 40 saves for his first shutout of the season and 24th overall in the Flyers’ victory. Biron made several spectacular saves against his former team to help the Flyers win their third straight and fourth in the last five games. Jeff Carter scored twice and Scott Hartnell added a goal for Philadelphia.

Associated Press