NHL-Highlights of Monday's National Hockey League games
March 3 (The Sports Xchange) - Highlights of Monday's National Hockey League games - - - Wild 3, Flames 2 Minnesota Wild defenseman 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. Spurgeon scored on a third-period power-play on a rising shot from the blue line. 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. - - - Blue Jackets 2, Maple Leafs 1 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 equalizer. 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. - - - Stars 3, Sabres 2 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. Stars rookie right winger Alex Chiasson delivered the game-winner with 9:35 remaining in the third period. He got in front of a shot by Dallas center and captain Jamie Benn, which deflected in off Chiasson's leg for a power-play goal. Dallas (29-22-10) dominated play in the first period, out-shooting the Sabres 16-5. However, Buffalo led after 20 minutes. - - - Kings 2, Canadiens 1 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. The winning goal came on the power-play when Carter notched his 22nd of the season to break a 1-1 tie at 4:14 of the middle frame. P.K. Subban scored for Montreal (34-22-7) while Peter Budaj stopped 20 shots in his fourth straight start in place of injured starting goaltender Carey Price. (Editing by John O'Brien)
