NEW YORK: Shea Weber’s short-handed goal with 10:58 left earned Nashville a 3-2 win over St Louis in a battle of Central Division powers.
Weber, who also scored early in the game, got loose on a two-on-one breakaway before firing a wrist shot that beat Blues goalie Brian Elliott high to the stick side.
Elliott, who was activated from injured reserve earlier in the day after being out since Nov. 25 with a sprained right knee, looked sharp as he made 44 saves.
Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was not as busy as he made 25 saves for his 24th win.
In other match, right winger Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau scored the game-winner in the third round of the shootout as Montreal edged Florida at the BB&T Center.
Montreal right winger Brendan Gallagher and Florida center Nick Bjugstad scored the goals in regulation.
Montreal’s Dustin Tokarski made 36 saves for the win, outdueling Florida’s Roberto Luongo, who stopped 33.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, each a National Hockey League playoff Most Valuable Player, lead the Chicago Blackhawks into Washington for today’s annual New Year’s Day outdoor Winter Classic contest. Sunny and chilly conditions are forecast for the NHL’s 14th regular-season stadium contest at the home ballpark of Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals. REUTERS
