Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009

Flying ice: Minnesota's Mikko Koivu (left) kicks up ice as he battles for the puck with New York's Dan Girardi on Friday. The Wild beat the Rangers 3-2. AP PHOTO

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) Ryane Clowe had reason to smile. He finally scored a goal this season and it came at an opportune moment.

Evgeni Nabokov made 24 saves, and Clowe and Jamie McGinn scored their first goals of the season to help the San Jose Sharks beat the Western Conference-leading Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Friday night.

Clowe went 21 games without scoring, matching his longest drought.

"I just got a pat on the back and a 'Good job' from the coach," Clowe said. "It was nice to see the other guys on the ice because they were more excited than I was."

Dany Heatley added his ninth goal of the season. The Sharks have won four straight and six of their last seven games. They are 9-4-1 overall and 4-0-1 at home.

Anderson stopped 43 shots, and Matt Duchene scored for the Avalanche (10-2-2).

Colorado had won four straight and earned points in its last 10 games (8-0-2).

Panthers 6, Stars 5

In Dallas, Steven Reinprecht had a natural hat trick in a 5:11 span of the first period, and Rostislav Olesz scored in the second round of a shootout to give Florida a victory over the Stars.

Islanders 4, Capitals 3 (OT)

In Washington, Mark Streit scored 53 seconds into overtime to give New York its second straight victory and third of the season.

Pens 4, Blue Jackets 3 (SO)

In Columbus, Pittsburgh scored twice in the final 3 minutes of regulation to tie it, and Sidney Crosby had the only goal in the shootout to lead the Penguins.

Sabres 3, Leafs 2 (OT)

In Buffalo, Tim Connolly scored a power-play goal 1:04 into overtime, and Ryan Miller made 33 saves for the Sabres.

Ducks 7, Canucks 2

In Anaheim, Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan each had two goals and an assist, Mike Brown put the Ducks ahead to stay with his first career short-handed goal, and Anaheim went on to snap a four-game losing streak.

Wild 3, Rangers 2

In St. Paul, Minn., Petr Sykora had a goal and an assist, and Eric Belanger and Antti Miettinen also scored for Minnesota.

Blackhawks 3, Canadiens 2

In Chicago, Patrick Sharp scored with 4:10 left, and Kris Vertseeg and Cam Barker each had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks.

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