NHL-Highlights of Wednesday's National Hockey League games

Reuters

Feb 5 (The Sports Xchange) - Highlights of Wednesday's National Hockey League games. - - - Blackhawks 2, Ducks 0 Marian Hossa scored a goal and added an assist and goaltender Corey Crawford made 29 saves as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Anaheim Ducks. Chicago (35-10-14) earned at least a point in the first four games of a five game road trip prior to the Olympic break. They moved four points ahead of the St. Louis Blues for the Central Division lead, although the Blues have four games in hand. Hossa opened the scoring with his 24th goal of the season less than a minute into the second period. Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews cashed in with an insurance goal with 2:31 remaining. Anaheim (40-14-5) lost for the fourth time in its last five games and was shutout for the second time in three games. - - - Penguins 5, Sabres 1 Centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin scored highlight-reel goals to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a win over the Buffalo Sabres. Crosby burst past a defender before roofing a wrist shot above goaltender Ryan Miller, while Malkin beat Miller with a slick deke to his forehand to highlight the second period. The Penguins (40-15-2) reached the 40-win mark faster than any other team in franchise history. James Neal, Brian Gibbons and left winger Harry Zolnierczyk also scored for the Penguins while goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made 24 saves. Drew Stafford scored for the Sabres (15-33-8). - - - Sharks 2, Stars 1 (Overtime) Right winger Tommy Wingels scored at 1:52 of overtime to give the San Jose Sharks a hard-earned victory over the Dallas Stars. Dallas (26-21-10) tied the game on its 17th shot when right winger Valeri Nichushkin one-timed a centering feed by defenseman Trevor Daley past Sharks goalie Alex Stalock at 6:27 of the third period to cap a chance-filled Stars' shift. San Jose's (36-16-6) Marty Havlat scored his first goal since Dec. 17 late in the second period to account for the only scoring in the opening 40 minutes. - - - (Editing by Jahmal Corner)