Boucher Shutout His 3rd in a Row

Brian Boucher and the Phoenix Coyotes made it look easy against the low-scoring Carolina Hurricanes.

Boucher made 26 saves for his third straight shutout, leading the Coyotes to a 3-0 victory Sunday. He has stopped 82 shots in the last three games and is unbeaten in seven starts (4-0-3).

“Right now the puck looks like a beach ball to him,” Phoenix Coach Bob Francis said. “He’s following it, squaring up, getting sound position and his concentration level is outstanding.”

Jan Hrdina had a goal and two assists for Phoenix, and Branko Radivojevic had three assists. Hrdina has 11 points in 11 games since returning from a toe injury.

Carolina goalie Jamie Storr, making his first start in 18 games, allowed three goals on 23 shots and remains winless this season (0-5-2).

Carolina, the lowest-scoring team in the NHL, fell to 4-5 under Coach Peter Laviolette, who replaced Paul Maurice on Dec. 15. The Hurricanes have scored only 12 goals in those nine games.

Colorado 3, Minnesota 1 -- Teemu Selanne and Milan Hejduk scored power-play goals in the second period, and Peter Forsberg had an empty-net goal in the final minute at Denver.

The Avalanche moved to within four points of Northwest Division-leading Vancouver, which was idle.

The loss ended Minnesota’s unbeaten road streak at seven games, a franchise record. The Wild are winless in their last six games overall (0-2-4-0).

Montreal 4, Washington 1 -- Michael Ryder scored two goals at Montreal to help the Canadiens win consecutive games for the first time since Oct. 20-23.

The Canadiens, who beat Atlanta 5-1 on Saturday, extended their unbeaten streak to four games (3-0-1). They have earned a point in nine of their last 11 games (6-2-2-1).

Edmonton 4, Chicago 3 -- Ethan Moreau broke a tie 55 seconds into the third period and the Oilers rallied from a two-goal deficit to win at Chicago.

Moreau beat goaltender Steve Passmore with a high shot from a sharp angle. The Blackhawks are 4-15-4-4 in their last 27 games.