Lightning ends losing streak in a big way, 8-0

Vincent Lecavalier had three goals -- his fourth career hat trick -- and two assists as the Tampa Bay Lightning stopped a four-game losing streak with an 8-0 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night at Tampa, Fla.

Martin St. Louis had a goal and four assists as the Lightning beat Atlanta -- which leads the Southeast Division -- for the fourth time in five games this season. Goalie Marc Denis made 21 saves in his first shutout of the season and 16th overall.

Colorado 5, San Jose 2 -- Joe Sakic and Brett Clark each had two goals and an assist, and the Avalanche handed the Sharks their first home loss in five weeks. Jose Theodore made 28 saves in his 150th career victory.

Detroit 4, St. Louis 3 -- Pavel Datsyuk’s goal 3:23 into overtime completed the Red Wings’ comeback from a three-goal deficit at Detroit. St. Louis lost its sixth consecutive game.

Minnesota 3, Calgary 2 -- Manny Fernandez stopped two of three shots in a shootout at St. Paul, Minn., as the Wild won for the seventh time in a league-high nine shootouts this season.

Florida 3, Buffalo 1 -- Ric Jackman scored the winning goal and Alex Auld made 17 saves at Sunrise, Fla., as the Panthers beat the Sabres and won back-to-back games for just the second time this season.

Boston 3, Toronto 1 -- Brad Stuart, Wayne Primeau and Patrice Bergeron scored third-period goals as the Bruins won for the fifth time in six games and handed the visiting Maple Leafs their sixth straight loss.

Montreal 4, N.Y. Islanders 2 -- Saku Koivu’s two power-play goals powered the Canadiens to victory at Uniondale, N.Y.

Phoenix 2, Chicago 1 -- Shane Doan and Michael Zigomanis, the team’s fifth and sixth shooters, scored in the shootout to give the Coyotes the win at Chicago.

N.Y. Rangers 3, Pittsburgh 2 -- Brendan Shanahan scored the tying goal in the third period, then lifted the host Rangers to victory with the only goal in the shootout.