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Friday's NHL Capsules

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/8/2013 9:58 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/9/2013 12:18 AM

DENVER - The best start in NHL history is over. The Chicago Blackhawks finally left the ice without a point.

The Blackhawks were stunned 6-2 by the struggling Colorado Avalanche on Friday night. It was their first loss in regulation and ended a remarkable run in which they earned at least one point in their first 24 games, an NHL record.

Matt Duchene scored four points and Ryan O'Reilly got his first goal since his contract dispute was resolved more than a week ago. O'Reilly assisted on another goal in a four-goal onslaught in the second period that turned a 1-1 tie into a laugher.

The Blackhawks (21-1-3) hadn't lost in regulation since a 6-1 rout by Nashville on March 25, 2012, and their last loss in regulation on the road came more than a year ago, with a 5-1 defeat at St. Louis on March 6, 2012.

Dating back to last year's regular season, the streak was 30 games.

Chicago's overall points streak was the second longest in NHL history. The 1979-80 Philadelphia Flyers set the league record with a staggering 35-game unbeaten streak that included 25 wins and 10 ties — all in the same season.

Predators 6, Oilers 0

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Colin Wilson had a career-high two goals and two assists, and the Predators to snapped a three-game skid.

Patric Hornqvist, David Legwand, Rich Clune and Zach Boychuk also had a goal apiece as the well-rested Predators won for the first time since Feb. 25, when they beat Dallas in overtime, by matching their season-high with six goals. Shea Weber had three assists in the first game against Edmonton this year.

Pekka Rinne made 24 saves for his fourth shutout this season.

The Oilers are 0-4-1 in their last five, the last two their first shutout losses this season. They were playing their second game in as many nights, and a roster with five players already missing was without forward Ales Hemsky. He had a puck go off his foot in Thursday night's 3-0 loss at Detroit.

Senators 3, Rangers 2

NEW YORK (AP) — Jakob Silfverberg broke a tie with 4:41 left, and the Senators snapped a four-game losing streak.

Silfverberg got a rebound of defenceman Eric Gryba's shot and put it past Henrik Lundqvist for his fourth goal of the season. Zack Smith and Patrick Wiercioch scored in the first period, defenceman Sergei Gonchar had two assists, and Robin Lehner made 33 saves for the Senators.

Ottawa broke an 0-2-2 skid and won on the road for only the fourth time (4-7-2). Ottawa had been 1-7-2 in its previous 10 road games, but the Senators improved to 12-1-1 in their past 14 visits to Madison Square Garden.

Rick Nash and Brad Richards, in his first game back following a two-game injury absence, scored in the opening period, but the Rangers had a season-best, four-game winning streak broken.

Jets 3, Panthers 2, OT

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Dustin Byfuglien scored with 40.5 seconds left in overtime. Byfuglien brought the puck across to the right circle and his wrist shot whistled past Jacob Markstrom.

Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd also scored for Winnipeg. Ladd also had an assist and has three goals and four assists in the last five games for the Jets.

Ondrej Pavelec made 38 saves.

Shawn Matthias and Jonathan Huberdeau scored goals for Florida and Jacob Markstrom stopped 25 shots.

The Jets have won five of their past seven games. The Panthers have lost five of six.

Ducks 4, Flames 0

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Daniel Winnik ended an 18-game goal drought on the first shot of the game and Viktor Fasth posted his second career shutout with 29 saves.

Bobby Ryan and defenceman Sheldon Souray scored less than 2 1-2 minutes apart in the second period for Anaheim, who have won 16 straight at home against Calgary.

Ryan, shaken up during the opening period when he slid into the end boards unchecked behind the Calgary net, made it 2-0 . Corey Perry set up the play from behind the net after getting the puck from Ryan Getzlaf, who notched his 500th NHL point on the same day he signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension.

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