Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux had a goal and three assists in his return from a four-game concussion absence as the surging Flyers beat the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Wednesday.
Simmonds and Jaromir Jagr added power-play goals, and defenseman Andrej Meszaros connected at even strength for Philadelphia, which improved to 10-2-1 in their past 13 overall and 13-3-2 on the road this season.
The Flyers restored their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points over the New York Rangers, who won on Tuesday.
Photo: AFP
Michael Ryder scored in the first minute for the Stars, who lost the outright lead in the Pacific Division, being joined by Phoenix.
BLACKHAWKS 5, CANADIENS 1
In Chicago, Andrew Brunette and Patrick Sharp scored 21 seconds apart midway through the second period, setting up Chicago’s win over Montreal.
Viktor Stalberg scored midway through the third period and Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell added late goals for NHL-leading Chicago.
Corey Crawford made 20 saves in his first start for more than two weeks for the Blackhawks, who are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games.
Andrei Kostitsyn scored a power-play goal for Montreal, which lost its fourth straight — including the past three since Randy Cunneyworth replaced Jacques Martin as coach.
COYOTES 4, HURRICANES 3
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Lauri Korpikoski and Ray Whitney both had a goal and an assist to lead Phoenix past Carolina.
Korpikoski scored the game-winner at 10 minutes, 48 seconds of the third period. Cal O’Reilly and Rostislav Klesla also scored for the Coyotes, who overcame a deficit entering the third period for the first time this season, at the 13th attempt.
Tuomo Ruutu got his team-leading 11th goal for the Hurricanes, while Andreas Nodl and Jiri Tlusty also scored.
CANUCKS 4, RED WINGS 2
The Vancouver Canucks took down another leading Western Conference team on Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings.
The Canucks, who beat Northwest leaders Minnesota 4-0 on Monday, raced to a 3-1 lead in the first period and goaltender Roberto Luongo led them home with 38 saves as Vancouver earned their third consecutive win.
Chris Higgins, Cody Hodgson and Alexandre Burrows scored in the first with Detroit replying through Todd Bertuzzi.
Detroit’s Drew Miller converted a shot in the second period to pull the Red Wings within a goal, but Alexander Edler restored Vancouver’s two-goal lead early in the third with a shorthanded score in the third.
The Canucks (21-11-2) moved a point behind the Wild in the Northwest while Detroit (21-11-1) remain second in the Central trailing Chicago.
In other NHL play, it was:
‧ Sharks 7, Lightning 2
‧ Avalanche 3, Blues 2
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