ST. PAUL, Minnesota (AP) Dallas extended its lead in the NHL Western Conference with a 6-3 win at Minnesota on Monday, overturning an early 2-0 deficit.
Goaltender Antti Niemi stopped 30 shots in relief for the Stars, whose 120 goals scored this season is 15 clear of the next most prolific team in the league.
That team is Washington, which won at Carolina to extend its streak to six games, while other key results saw Nashville comfortably beat faltering Montreal and Philadelphia rally from three goals down and score a late winner against St. Louis.
Dallas, trailing 2-0 and with Niemi having replaced Kari Lehtonen in the first period, scored three times in 4 1/2 minutes late in the second to take the lead.
Vernon Fiddler scored twice for Dallas, while Jordie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Antoine Roussel and Cody Eakin also had goals.
Jared Spurgeon, Charlie Coyle and Nino Niederreiter scored for Minnesota, which lost in regulation for the first time in 10 games.
Washington’s Jason Chimera and Michael Latta scored to lead the Capitals to a 2-1 win at Carolina.
The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals improved to 12-3-1 on the road and enter the holiday break with their second six-game winning streak of the season.
Kris Versteeg scored for Carolina with 17:42 remaining.
Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne made 35 saves to help the Predators beat Montreal 5-1.
Shea Weber had a goal and two assists. While Roman Josi, Calle Jarnkrok, Colin Wilson and Ryan Ellis also found the net.
Alex Galchenyuk scored a power-play goal for Montreal, which lost its fourth straight.
Philadelphia’s Evgeny Medvedev scored on a wrist shot with 3:13 left as the Flyers defeated St. Louis 4-3.
Wayne Simmonds had a pair of goals and Chris VandeVelde also scored for Philadelphia, which enters a five-day Christmas break.
Robby Fabbri, Kevin Shattenkirk and Magnus Paajarvi scored for St. Louis, which had looked on course for a fourth successive win when it took a 3-0 lead.
New York’s John Tavares had two primary assists 43 seconds apart in the first period to set up a 5-2 victory for the Islanders against Anaheim.
Toronto’s Tyler Bozak scored three times in the third period, and the Maple Leafs broke loose for four goals in the final 20 minutes to win 7-4 at Colorado.
Pittsburgh ended a five-game skid by beating Columbus 5-2, with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel each scoring two goals.
Edmonton earned its seventh consecutive home win by defeating Winnipeg 3-1 thanks to 44 saves by Cam Talbot.
25% Bonus via Western Union
