Associated Press

RALEIGH — Justin Williams had two goals and an assist to lead Carolina.

Ray Whitney had a goal and three assists, and Rod Brind’Amour, Cory Stillman and Eric Staal also scored. The Hurricanes scored three goals in the second period and outshot the Capitals 41-26 to snap a two-game losing streak.

Alexander Ovechkin scored his team-leading 30th goal and Chris Clark added a goal on a deflection for Washington, which has lost five of six and is one point ahead of last-place Florida in the Southeast Division.

Cam Ward made 24 saves for the Hurricanes, who took a 3-2 series lead against the Capitals.

Jackets 3, Sabres 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dan Fritsche jammed in a rebound on the second try midway through the third period for the decisive goal in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night.

Chris Drury had both Buffalo goals, with Daniel Briere, just back from being named MVP of the All-Star game, adding two assists.

Thrashers 5, Islanders 4, OT

ATLANTA — Ilya Kovalchuk scored his second goal of the game with 2:01 left in overtime, giving Atlanta a victory it squandered an early three-goal lead.

Kovalchuk took a pass from Marian Hossa, sped across the blue line and beat Mike Dunham with a shot just inside the post.

Devils 2, Lightning 0

TAMPA, Fla. — Martin Brodeur made 28 saves, extending his NHL record for consecutive 30-win seasons to 11, to record his NHL-best ninth shutout this season and the 89th of his career.

Brian Gionta and Jay Pandolfo scored for the Devils, who are 11-1-2 over the last 14 games.

Blues 2, Red Wings 1, OT

ST. LOUIS — Bill Guerin scored 1:09 into overtime to lift St. Louis over Detroit.

Guerin scored his team-leading 21st goal as he gathered a rebound off the pads of Detroit goalie Chris Osgood and slapped it into the goal.

Wild 2, Flames 1, SO

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Pavol Demitra and Petteri Nummelin scored in the shootout to give Minnesota its NHL-best eighth shootout win.

Brian Rolston scored in regulation for Minnesota, which moved into a first-place tie with Calgary and Vancouver in the Northwest Division.

Predators 3, Blackhawks 1

CHICAGO — Vernon Fiddler scored the winner with 2:21 left in the third period to lead Nashville to its third straight win.

Penguins 4, Stars 3, SO

DALLAS — Erik Christensen scored the only goal in the shootout and Sidney Crosby had two assists in his first game since going scoreless in the All-Star game for Pittsburgh.

Coyotes 5, Avalanche 4, SO

DENVER — Ladislav Nagy scored the only goal in the shootout, lifting the Phoenix Coyotes to a 5-4 victory over Colorado.