For only the third time in 101 meetings, the New York Rangers faced a New Jersey Devils team minus goaltender Martin Brodeur, and took advantage with a 5-2 win in NHL action on Wednesday.
Michal Rozsival and Nikolai Zherdev scored during two-man advantages in New York's four-goal second period as the Rangers stretched their early lead in the Atlantic Division.
Brodeur, the four-time Vezina Trophy winner for the league's best goalie, is sidelined by a torn left biceps.
The Rangers scored three goals in just over two minutes to turn a one-goal deficit into a 3-1 lead early in the second period.
In Chicago, Boston spoiled a big night for Chicago, which retired its No. 3 jersey in honor of Pierre Pilote and the late Keith Magnuson.
P.J. Axelsson scored in the third round of a shootout for the Bruins, who extended their winning streak to four games with a 2-1.
The Blackhawks remain unbeaten in regulation time in nine home games, but their run of four straight wins was ended.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Washington routed Carolina 5-1 to take sole possession of the Southeast Division lead.
Alexander Semin had two goals and three assists for the Capitals to move into the NHL scoring lead.
Washington led 3-1 after one period and cruised to its fourth straight victory, moving two points ahead of Carolina in its division.
The Capitals dominated from start to finish, and Semin had a hand in all five goals. He scored his 13th midway through the second period to move one ahead of Buffalo's Thomas Vanek on the NHL scorers' list.
Adding in assists, Semin has 27 points, three more than Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin. The Washington star had his second multigoal game in six days against the Hurricanes, giving him 17 career goals against Carolina - his most against any team.
In Vancouver, British Columbia, Colorado prevailed in the shootout, and ended Vancouver goalie Robert Luongo's frachise-record shutout streak at 242 minutes with a 2-1 win.
Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos scored in the shootout and Peter Budaj made 31 saves for Colorado. Svatos won it with Colorado's final shot, roofing a shot over Luongo's glove.
The Canucks had taken the lead in the second period before the Avalanche equalized early in the third, ending Luongo's bid for a fourth straight shutout.
In Columbus, Ohio, Phoenix notched its third straight win by sinking Columbus 5-2.
Shane Doan had two goals and an assist and Ilya Bryzgalov made 31 saves for the Coyotes. Doan came close to the first hat trick in his long career, but hit the post in the final seconds.
In Buffalo, New York, Buffalo's narrow 4-3 victory snapped a home winless streak against St. Louis dating back to 1995. Ryan Miller made 30 saves and Tim Connolly, Adam Mair and Henrik Tallinder each had a goal and an assist for the Sabres.
In Sunrise, Florida, Craig Anderson made 24 saves for his first shutout of the season as Florida cruised past state rival Tampa Bay 4-0.
(Agencies via Shanghai Daily November 14, 2008)