Detroit Shuts Down Colorado

Robert Lang broke a tie during a two-man advantage late in the second period and Detroit killed a pair of two-man disadvantages in a 4-3 victory over Colorado on Saturday at Denver.

“Special teams were huge for both sides tonight,” Detroit defenseman Mathieu Schneider said. “Our guys on the five-on-three, [Chris] Chelios and [Kris] Draper and Nickie Lidstrom, did an unbelievable job of shutting them down. That was the difference right there, one goal.”

The Avalanche managed one shot on goal during their second two-man advantage, which lasted 53 seconds and came midway through the third period with the Red Wings leading, 4-3.

“With a five-on-three, we’ve got to find a way to put the puck in the net,” Colorado captain Joe Sakic said.

The Avalanche converted on only one of eight power plays.

“Our penalty killers did a phenomenal job tonight. I didn’t have to do much,” Detroit goalie Manny Legace said. “They’ve been unbelievable this whole year. You have to give them all the credit. They’re going to get a shot, but they won’t let them get a second rebound. All the sticks were tied up.

“It’s amazing how these guys dedicate themselves.”

The Red Wings won their fourth in a row and stopped the Avalanche’s five-game home winning streak, Colorado’s longest since closing the 2002-03 season with six consecutive home victories.

Vancouver 6, Montreal 2 -- Brendan Morrison scored 57 seconds in and the Canucks netted a team-record tying six goals in the first period at Vancouver.

Morrison set the tone and Alexandre Burrows added another goal on a wraparound less than a minute later as Vancouver romped to its fourth consecutive victory and seventh in eight games. The Canucks scored six times on their first 13 shots in the opening 14 minutes.

Calgary 4, Buffalo 1 -- Robyn Regehr’s disputed second-period goal helped the Flames defeat the Sabres at Calgary.

Calgary was on a two-man power play when Daymond Langkow’s shot hit Regehr’s skate in front of Buffalo’s net and caromed into the goal. Sabre goalie Martin Biron immediately argued that Regehr kicked the puck in, making an animated kicking motion with his leg for emphasis while making his case to officials. But the goal stood after a video review.

Nashville 7, Columbus 2 -- Scott Hartnell had two goals and an assist, and Predator teammate Paul Kariya also scored twice at Nashville, Tenn.

Phoenix 4, Edmonton 3 -- Ladislav Nagy and Geoff Sanderson scored in a shootout to lift the Coyotes past the Oilers at Glendale, Ariz. The Coyotes have won four of five.

Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1 -- Playing in his first game in more than a month, Robert Esche made 32 saves and helped the Flyers stop a four-game losing streak at Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh has lost nine in a row and 10 of 11.

Tampa Bay 2, Atlanta 0 -- Vincent Lecavalier and Fredrik Modin scored for the Lightning, and John Grahame shut out the host Thrashers for the second time this season.

Tampa Bay won its third in a row. The Thrashers have lost two in a row after winning seven of eight.

Ottawa 7, Toronto 0 -- Dominik Hasek earned his 67th career shutout, and the host Senators won in their 1,000th regular-season game.

Toronto has been outscored, 23-2, in its last three games against Ottawa.

Washington 5, Carolina 2 -- Olie Kolzig made 31 saves, Matt Pettinger and Brooks Laich each had a goal and an assist, and the host Capitals stretched their winning streak to four and stopped the Hurricanes’ victory run at nine.

New Jersey 3, New York Islanders 2 -- Zach Parise scored in the fifth round of the shootout at East Rutherford, N.J., extending the Devils’ winning streak to nine games.

New York Rangers 3, Boston 2 -- Petr Sykora scored in the sixth round of the shootout to lift the Rangers to victory at Boston.