Wire NHL

Three of Nashville's 10 remaining games are against the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks, making the task of the getting into the playoffs all the more difficult for the Predators.

A black Town Car pulled up to the top of the loading dock at the Staples Center late Thursday morning.

The Sharks rallied for two goals in the third period and extended their winning streak to seven games, beating the Calgary Flames, 2-1, on Friday night at HP Pavilion.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Bruce Boudreau tried to tell everyone within earshot Friday morning that beating any team for a third straight time in as many games would be a tough chore.

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Sharks rallied for two goals in the third period and salvaged two points against one of the worst road teams in the NHL, beating the Calgary Flames, 2-1, on Friday night at HP Pavilion.

Joe Pavelski scored the winner late in the third period as the San Jose Sharks took a 2-1 decision over the Calgary Flames on Friday.

Coach Todd McLellan lit into the San Jose Sharks after a lackluster second period against a struggling team staggering to the finish of the season.

Joe Pavelski scored on a rebound with 2:06 remaining to lead the San Jose Sharks to their seventh straight victory, 2-1 over the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

Alex Chiasson scored his first NHL goal, Lane MacDermid netted his second in two games since being promoted from the minors, and Eric Nystrom had a short-handed goal for the Dallas Stars in a 3-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night.

The Dallas Stars showed off all the talent they have been developing in the minors during three games against the Anaheim Ducks.

LOS ANGELES-Jonathan Quick was the first goalie to leave the ice Friday after practice at El Segundo, generally the right of the next game's starter. It was mildly surprising, considering that Jonathan Bernier had shut out Minnesota on Thursday, but to Coach Darryl Sutter-who doesn't disclose his starter-it made perfect sense.

The Detroit Red Wings came in looking for redemption, and they left with relief.

Kari Lehtonen posted 27 saves to help the Dallas Stars take a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

Pavel Datsyuk knocked in a rebound at 4:45 of overtime, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Friday night to hold onto seventh place in the Western Conference.

Pavel Datsyuk scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 15.4 seconds left in overtime, and the Detroit Red Wings beat the Colorado Avalanche, 3-2.

Brian Flynn and Jochen Hecht scored 12 seconds apart late in the third period, lifting the Buffalo Sabres over the Ottawa Senators, 4-2. Luke Adam and Steve Ott also lit the lamp for the Sabres, who sit four points out of the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. Ryan Miller made 35 saves for Buffalo, which has won two in a row since a four-game skid. Marc Methot and Eric Gryba scored for the Senators, who remained tied for fifth place the East with idle Toronto. Robin Lehner stopped 26-of-30 shots in defeat.

Jake Allen made 26 saves, and David Backes scored for the second straight game to lead the suddenly surging St. Louis Blues to a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.

David Backes scored the game-winning goal late in the second period as St. Louis posted a 3-1 win over Columbus at Scottrade Center.

Jussi Jokinen certainly knows how to make an entrance.

Jussi Jokinen scored the lone goal in the shootout as Pittsburgh edged the New York Rangers, 2-1, in the back end of a home-and-home set from CONSOL Energy Center.

Brian Flynn and Jochen Hecht scored 12 seconds apart late in the third period, lifting the Buffalo Sabres over the Ottawa Senators, 4-2.

Brian Flynn and Jochen Hecht scored third-period goals 12 seconds apart, and the Buffalo Sabres rallied to beat the Ottawa Senators 4-2 on Friday night.

Newly signed rookie Nick Bjugstad took part in his first pro practice Friday morning, skating on the Panthers' third line with fellow 2010 first-round draft pick Quinton Howden and Jack Skille.

Yes, the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired a shocking amount of talent in the days leading up to Wednesday's trade deadline, while the Columbus Blue Jackets certainly pulled off the most stunning deal of the day.

The Anaheim Ducks look to capture their third victory over the Dallas Stars in five nights on Friday when the clubs wrap their playoff- like string of games against each other at the Honda Center.

Marian Gaborik had an impressive debut with the Columbus Blue Jackets and he'll try to build off that performance when his new club visits the St. Louis Blues for Friday's important battle at Scottrade Center.

The San Jose Sharks have embraced the hunt.

The New York Rangers used some new faces to shock the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opener of a home-and-home series, but the Eastern Conference leaders will be out for revenge in Friday's finale in the Steel City.

The Detroit Red Wings will try to avoid a fourth loss in five games on Friday night as they conclude their season series with the Colorado Avalanche.

The Ottawa Senators hope to have goaltender Craig Anderson back on the ice for the first time since February when they visit the Buffalo Sabres for Friday's game at First Niagara Center.

Finally healthy, Steve Montador wants to cap his comeback by returning to the NHL.

The St. Louis Blues picked up two goals from a player who hadn't scored in 463 days and a week ago was playing in Peoria. They picked up timely saves from a goaltender who was tuning up with the Rivermen just a few days ago.

A discombobulated second period undid the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night, leaving them with a shaky hold on a playoff spot.

It's too early to panic, but the Minnesota Wild is heading into crisis mode.

CHICAGO-As always, the main objective is to pile up the points.

Cory Schneider made 23 saves and Henrik Sedin had a goal and an assist for Vancouver in a 4-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night that moved the Canucks past Minnesota for first in the Northwest Division.

Justin Williams scored twice and Jonathan Bernier posted 23 saves to notch his first shutout of the season, as the Los Angeles Kings blanked the Minnesota Wild, 3-0, on Thursday at Staples Center.

Henrik Sedin posted a goal and an assist and Cory Schneider recorded 23 saves for his fourth shutout of the season, as the Vancouver Canucks downed the red-hot Edmonton Oilers, 4-0, in a Northwest Division battle.

Centers Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier have suffered through sophomore slumps, but they played major roles Thursday night as the resilient Flyers outlasted the Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-3, at the Air Canada Centre and increased their season-best winning streak to four games.

Justin Williams and Jeff Carter scored 98 seconds apart on the first two shots of the game, Williams added a goal on Los Angeles' first shot of the second period, and the Kings beat the Minnesota Wild 3-0 on Thursday night behind Jonathan Bernier's first shutout of the season.

Robyn Regehr was intent in making a good first impression with the Los Angeles Kings. Instead, his new teammates made an even bigger impact on the veteran defenseman.

Chris Conner scored in his Phoenix debut, Mikkel Boedker had a pair of assists, and the Coyotes held off the Detroit Red Wings 4-2 on Thursday night.

Chad Johnson posted 34 saves to help the Phoenix Coyotes take a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.

Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk scored the deciding goal in the sixth round of the shootout and the St. Louis Blues came back for a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night.

Kevin Shattenkirk scored the winner in the sixth round of the shootout as the St. Louis Blues took a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

The season is fast sliding away from the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were hoping for an instant impact from their newest member, and Marian Gaborik delivered.

Marian Gaborik scored the go-ahead goal at 4:16 of the third period and added an assist in his debut Thursday night with Columbus, helping the Blue Jackets beat the Predators 3-1 for a rare win in Nashville.

Michael Ryder scored two goals and set up another, and the Montreal Canadiens downed Winnipeg 4-1 on Thursday night to hand the Jets their fifth straight loss.

Michael Ryder posted two goals and an assist to lead the Montreal Canadiens in a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.