Toronto works fast in 7-1 win

The Toronto Maple Leafs scored twice in the opening three minutes, then added three goals during a 60-second span of the second period and cruised past the Washington Capitals, 7-1, Friday night at Washington.

Toronto had a 2-1 lead before Bryan McCabe scored at 10:09 of the second period with the Maple Leafs enjoying a two-man advantage. Jeff O’Neill scored another power-play goal 14 seconds later, and Hal Gill concluded the barrage against Capitals goaltender Brent Johnson at 11:09.

Darcy Tucker scored his team-high 16th goal just over three minutes later for a 6-1 lead.

Washington played without left wing Donald Brashear and center Brian Sutherby, both of whom were serving NHL-mandated suspensions stemming from fights during Wednesday night’s game against Atlanta.

Philadelphia 3, Columbus 2 -- The host Flyers spoiled former coach Ken Hitchcock’s debut with the Blue Jackets. Mike Richards scored on a tough-angle shot 2:02 into the third period to break a 2-2 tie.

Carolina 5, Boston 1 -- Justin Williams and Erik Cole scored nine seconds apart in the second period, lifting the visiting Hurricanes, who ended a two-game losing streak, their longest since they dropped their first four games of the season.

Minnesota 4, Phoenix 0 -- Niklas Backstrom recorded his first NHL shutout. Starting his second game in a row in place of Manny Fernandez, Backstrom stopped 28 shots at St. Paul, Minn. He posted 18 shutouts the last four seasons while playing the Finnish Elite League.

New York Islanders 3, Pittsburgh 1 -- Rick DiPietro stopped 35 shots to help the host Islanders improve to 5-1-1 in their last seven games. The Penguins, who lost for the second time in seven games (4-2-1), were without Sidney Crosby for the second consecutive game because of a sore groin.

St. Louis 3, Detroit 2 -- Martin Rucinsky and Doug Weight scored in the shootout to give the Blues the win at Detroit. St. Louis goalie Manny Legace stopped Jason Williams on his attempt, and Pavel Datsyuk hit the post.

Ottawa 6, Florida 4 -- Dany Heatley scored three goals to help the visiting Senators get their season-high fourth consecutive win and reach .500 for the first time since Oct. 28.

Montreal 2, Buffalo 1 -- Defenseman Sheldon Souray scored with one second left in overtime, lifting the visiting Canadiens to a come-from-behind victory.

Tampa Bay 3, Atlanta 2 -- Martin St. Louis scored with 2:35 left in overtime as the Lightning overcame a two-goal deficit at Tampa, Fla.

Edmonton 5, Chicago 1 -- Petr Sykora had a goal and an assist at Edmonton, Canada, to help the Oilers extend their winning streak to a season-high five games.