Datsyuk sinks the Wild in shoot-out

Pavel Datsyuk scored the only goal of a shoot-out to give the visiting Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Datsyuk flipped the puck past Wild netminder Josh Harding on the Red Wings' first shoot-out shot to secure the Central Division leaders' third successive victory. Matt Ellis had two goals and an assist as the Buffalo Sabres ended the Boston Bruins' 10-game winning streak with a fine 4-2 victory. Despite the loss, the Bruins still lead the Eastern Conference, although the Washington Capitals managed to reduce the gap to seven points after Alex Ovechkin's goal late in the second period lifted them to a 2-1 triumph over the New York Rangers.

The Philadelphia Flyers lost 2-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, while Todd Bertuzzi scored the winner with only 24 seconds remaining for the Calgary Flames as they beat the Nashville Predators 3-2. Nathan Horton scored two as the Florida Panthers thrashed the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1, while Jason Blake was on target as the Toronto Maple had an impressive 3-1 triumph over the Ottawa Senators, and Joni Pitkanen and Justin Williams were both on the scoresheet for the Carolina Hurricanes as they edged to a 3-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The San Jose Sharks remained six points clear at the top of the Western Conference as Mike Grier scored twice in a 5-3 victory over the hapless New York Islanders. * With Agencies