Anaheim, California: Anaheim moved back to the top of the overall NHL standings by beating Montreal 3-1 in Wednesday’s clash of conference leaders.
The Ducks were level with Nashville on points and games played going into Wednesday’s game and pulled ahead thanks in part to 37 saves by goaltender John Gibson.
Montreal’s lead in the East was trimmed to two points ahead of the New York Rangers, who collected a point from an overtime loss to Detroit and moved level with the crosstown Islanders at the top of the Metropolitan Division.
Anaheim’s Francois Beauchemin and Rickard Rakell scored for the Ducks, who have won four straight games.
Cam Fowler added a short-handed, empty-net goal with 2:02 to play before Montreal’s Alex Galchenyuk ruined Gibson’s shutout bid on a power-play goal with 1:41 left.
Canadiens goalie Carey Price stopped 30 shots, but that was not enough for Montreal to secure the win that would have moved them into a share of the league’s top spot.
Detroit’s Marek Zidlicky scored a power-play goal 1:09 into overtime to give the Red Wings a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers.
Zidlicky was making his Red Wings debut after being acquired at the NHL trade deadline from New Jersey.
Justin Abdelkader also scored for Detroit, who closed within four points of East leader Montreal.
Defenseman Dan Girardi scored the sole goal for the Rangers.
Colorado ended Pittsburgh’s four-game streak by beating the Penguins 3-1, with Gabriel Landeskog contributing a goal and two assists.
Ottawa rookie Andrew Hammond made 35 saves to help the Senators win 3-1 at Winnipeg.
