Minnesota Wild left wing Zach Parise (left) and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser (centre) battle for the puck in front of goalie Jimmy Howard at Joe Louis Arena on Sunday.
AFP/Toronto
David Backes scored in the third period and backup goaltender Brian Elliott stopped 33 shots for the shutout as the St. Louis Blues recorded a victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Backes’ goal, his 24th of the season, came with 8:40 remaining when he tipped in a shot by left winger Alexander Steen.
Elliott, who was relegated to a backup role after the acquisition of goaltender Ryan Miller from the Buffalo Sabres in a trade last month, was outstanding in posting his third shutout of the season.
The Blues increased their point total to a Western Conference-leading 103.
Elsewhere, Matt Moulson’s goal 2:15 into overtime gave Minnesota a come-from-behind win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Minnesota lost to the Red Wings 3-2 on Saturday and they trailed 2-0 after the first period but fought back to get the win.
Charlie Coyle had a goal and an assist, and right winger Jason Pominville and left winger Zach Parise also scored for Minnesota.
Both teams are in the seventh playoff spot in tight races in their respective conferences - Minnesota in the West, and Detroit in the East.
Anaheim right wingers Kyle Palmieri and Corey Perry scored goals 61 seconds apart in the second period as the Ducks beat the Panthers.
The surge came after Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau used his only timeout when the Panthers scored two quick goals to cut a three-goal deficit to one.
Goaltender Jonas Hiller made 28 saves for Anaheim.
