Calgary team-members congratulate Giordano for scoring against Minnesota Wild during their game in St Paul, Minnesota, yesterday.
ST. PAUL, Minnesota: Minnesota Wild defenceman Jared Spurgeon and left wing Zach Parise had third-period goals, snapping a 1-1 tie and lifting the Wild to victory over the Calgary Flames.
Center Kyle Brodziak also scored for the Wild, and goaltender Darcy Kuemper — making his 15th consecutive start — had 21 saves as Minnesota (34-21-7) extended its longest winning streak of the season to five games.
Mike Cammalleri and defenseman Mark Giordano scored for the Flames (23-31-7), who have lost three of their last four games. Reto Berra had 24 saves in goal for Calgary.
Parise tipped a long pass from right wing Jason Pominville past Berra a few minutes later for the Wild, who were playing at home for the first time since the Olympic break. Defenseman Dalton Prout and center Artem Anisimov scored second-period goals, and the Columbus Blue Jackets snapped the Toronto Maple Leafs’ seven-game home winning streak. Left winger Mason Raymond got the Leafs within one at 15:45 of the third but Toronto was unable to score an equaliser.
With the win, Columbus (31-25-5) swept the season series with Toronto, outscoring the Maple Leafs 13-3. Columbus improved to 13-5-1 in its past 19 games and 8-5-1 in its past 14 road contests. Toronto (32-23-8) fell to 0-1-2 since the Olympic break.
Lindy Ruff’s first win as an NHL head coach came with the Buffalo Sabres in October 1997. He recorded career win number 600 against Buffalo, when the Dallas Stars earned a victory.
Dallas (29-22-10) dominated play in the first period, out-shooting the Sabres 16-5. However, Buffalo led after 20 minutes.
Winger Jeff Carter and defenseman Jake Muzzin scored goals, goaltender Jonathan Quick made 17 saves, and the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 2-1.
Los Angeles (35-22-6) earned its fifth consecutive victory to remain eight points ahead of the Dallas Stars for third place in the Pacific Division.Reuters
