Phildelphia: Scott Hartnell registered his seventh career hat-trick while captain Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek each recorded a goal and two assists as visiting Philadelphia halted their four-game losing streak.
Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who recorded a total of three goals during their slide.
Max Pacioretty scored and set up a goal for Montreal, still one point ahead of Boston for first place in the Northeast Division.
Elsewhere, James Reimer made 31 saves for his ninth career shutout and Phil Kessel snapped a scoreless tie with 6:32 remaining in the third period as host Toronto extended New Jersey’s winless streak to 10 games.
Jay McClement added an empty-net goal for Toronto, who stretched their points streak to five games (4-0-1),
The victory has allowed the team to climb within three points of Boston for fourth in the Eastern Conference.
The Devils are 0-6-4 on their skid and remain six points behind the New York Rangers for the final playoff spot in the East.
In another match played yestererday, Andrew Shaw scored to snap a tie 4:31 into the third period.
Captain Jonathan Toews recorded his 10th goal in 15 contests as hosts Chicago skated to their sixth straight victory.
Marian Hossa had an empty-net goal and two assists, and Viktor Stalberg and defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson also tallied.
Ray Emery turned aside 16 shots to improve to 16-1-0 for the Blackhawks, who moved six points ahead of idle Pittsburgh in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy.
REUTERS
