Joe Sakic scored a pair of goals 19 seconds apart in the second period -- the second on a penalty shot -- and the Colorado Avalanche snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Sunday.
Colorado has won six straight against the Rangers since Nov. 20, 2001, and is 9-1 in the past 10 meetings.
Sakic, who had a 10-game point streak stopped Saturday night in Colorado's 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders, broke open a scoreless game with a power-play goal at 13:52.
While that was being announced, Sakic was hooked by Martin Straka as he came in alone and was awarded his fifth career penalty shot.
He squeezed a shot between Kevin Weekes' pads to improve to 5-for-5 and push the Avalanche's lead to 2-0 on just their 11th shot. The spurt gave the 36-year-old captain eight goals in 12 games and his second multiple-goal effort of the season.
Panthers 3, Capitals 2
In Washington, Roberto Luongo made a season-high 53 saves to help Florida end a 13-game road losing streak.
Nathan Horton, Jozef Stumpel and Rostislav Olesz scored for the Panthers, 3-13-3 on the road this season. The victory was Florida's first on the road since an overtime win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 25.
Chris Clark and Brian Sutherby scored for the Capitals, who set a team record with 55 shots on goal. Washington broke the mark of 53, set Dec. 11, 1981, in a game against Toronto.
Stars 5, Blackhawks 3
In Chicago, Mike Modano and Jere Lehtinen each had a goal and an assist for Dallas and Marty Turco made 29 saves to improve to 9-0-1 against Chicago.
Jussi Jokinen, Jason Arnott and Nathan Perrott also scored for Dallas, which has won seven of its last eight games and 12 of 14. The Stars extended their unbeaten streak against Chicago to 11 games (10-0-1).
Mark Bell, Mikael Holmqvist and Tyler Arnason scored for the Blackhawks.
Mighty Ducks 5, Sharks 4
In Anaheim, California, Rob Niedermayer scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period to help Anaheim snap San Jose's six-game winning streak.
Todd Fedoruk ended a 49-game goal drought, and Anaheim's Chris Kunitz scored the first short-handed goal of his career. Scott Niedermayer and Todd Marchant also scored for the Mighty Ducks.
Grant Stevenson had two goals for the Sharks, and Patrick Marleau and Scott Thornton also scored.
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
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