Lessard, Santala Help Thrashers End Skid

Francis Lessard and Tommi Santala scored their first NHL goals, and the Atlanta Thrashers ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday at Atlanta.

Pasi Nurminen stopped 26 shots, and the Thrashers finally tightened up after giving up 23 goals in their previous six games. It was the first time in six games Atlanta gave up fewer than three goals.

The Thrashers stayed above .500 at 8-7-3-1 and pulled within two points of first-place Tampa Bay in the Southeast Division.

Phoenix 2, Columbus 2 -- Andrew Cassels scored with 41.9 seconds left in regulation to get the Blue Jackets the tie at Columbus, Ohio. The Coyotes went to overtime for the fifth consecutive game (2-0-2-1).

New York Rangers 2, Chicago 2 -- Chris Simon scored at 10:18 of the third period to give the Rangers the tie at Chicago. The Rangers are 1-3-1-1 in their last six games. The Blackhawks ended a four-game losing streak, but are 0-2-1-2 during that span.

From Associated Press