NHL: Senators take the spoils in big clash

Jody Shelley of the Columbus Blue Jackets, left, checks Martin Erat of the Nashville Predators into the boards during the first period of their NHL game in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday. PHOTO: AP

Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson scored his second power-play goal of the game with 2 minutes, 56 seconds remaining to lift the Senators to a 3-2 win over Detroit on Saturday in a clash of the NHL's top two teams.

Alfredsson Ottawa's lead with his 28th goal of the season after the Senators blew a 2-0 advantage earlier in the period. He also opened the scoring just 1 minute, 4 seconds in.

Mike Fisher also scored for Ottawa as he and Alfredsson extended their scoring streaks to nine games.

Detroit's Brian Rafalski and Jiri Hudler scored in the third to tie the game with 7 minutes, 54 seconds remaining.

The Senators extended their winning streak to four.

Sharks 3, Maple Leafs 2

In San Jose, California, Pacific Division leaders San Jose rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to beat Toronto and record their seventh win in eight games.

Joe Pavelski deflected home the go-ahead goal with 9 minutes, 39 seconds to play.

The Sharks scored three times in less than 10 minutes against Maple Leafs' goalie Vesa Toskala, their longtime teammate.

The Sharks have the NHL's third-highest points total behind Detroit and Ottawa.

The Maple Leafs wasted two outstanding periods against an elite team, instead sinking further into their nightmare season with their fifth consecutive loss.

Blue Jackets 2, Predators 1, SO

In Columbus, Ohio, the home team prevailed in a shootout to end a 12-game losing streak against Nashville.

Nikolai Zherdev scored the lone shootout goal and set up the tying goal in regulation for the Blue Jackets.

But Rostislav Klesla pulled Columbus even in the third period with a snap shot from the slot.

Kings 4, Stars 3, SO

In Los Angeles, Patrick O'Sullivan scored the deciding goal in a shootout as NHL strugglers Los Angeles edged Dallas.

Alexander Frolov and Derek Armstrong scored 67 seconds apart in the first period for the Kings.

Saturday's other NHL results:

* Devils 3, Sabres 2, SO

* Thrashers 3, Penguins 2, SO

* Rangers 4, Canadiens 1

* Avalanche 5, Hurricanes 4

* Lightning 5, Panthers 3

* Bruins 4, Flyers 3, OT