Optimistic Joseph Stops Red Wings

Curtis Joseph says the Phoenix Coyotes are still in the Western Conference playoff race.

And the Coyotes sure looked like a contender Tuesday night in a 5-2 victory over the conference-leading Red Wings at Detroit.

“If we play like this more often, I really like our postseason chances,” Joseph said. “Every time people start to count us out, we rally and show what kind of team we can be.”

Joseph made 35 saves and Mike Comrie scored twice for Phoenix, which is ahead of only three teams in the conference.

Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom had an assist to become the 14th defenseman with 600 assists.

New York Islanders 2, New Jersey 1 -- Miroslav Satan and Trent Hunter scored in a shootout for the host Islanders.

It was New York’s fifth win against the Devils in seven games this season (5-1-1). Three were decided in shootouts.

Buffalo 3, Boston 2 -- Jochen Hecht ended a tie late in the second period, and Daniel Briere had two assists for the host Sabres, who swept the home-and-home series to improve to 5-0 against Boston this season.

Chicago 3, Columbus 1 -- Patrick Sharp scored on a third-period breakaway, and Craig Anderson had 27 saves for the Blackhawks at Columbus, Ohio.

Tampa Bay 5, Pittsburgh 4 -- Brad Richards and Vinny Prospal scored in a shootout and the Lightning held off the host Penguins after squandering a 4-1 lead in the third period.

Toronto 5, Montreal 3 -- Tomas Kaberle had a goal and three assists at Toronto and the Maple Leafs ended a five-game losing streak.

Colorado 2, St. Louis 1 -- Milan Hejduk scored the only goal in a shootout at St. Louis and David Aebischer made 23 saves for the victory.

Nashville 3, Calgary 2 -- David Legwand scored twice for the Predators and Greg Johnson had a go-ahead short-handed goal midway through the second period at Calgary, Canada.

Dallas 4, Edmonton 3 -- Jussi Jokinen and Sergei Zubov scored in a shootout at Edmonton, Canada. The Stars are 9-0 in the NHL’s new tiebreaker.