NASHVILLE, Tennesse: The Anaheim Ducks moved within two points of the NHL lead by beating the Nashville Predators 3-2 after a shootout on Saturday, notching their eighth win in nine games.
Nick Bonino and Corey Perry scored in the shootout for Anaheim, which shot six points clear atop the Pacific Division.
Elswhere, Toronto goalie Ben Scrivens recorded his first career shutout as the Maple Leafs beat Ottawa, John Tavares had a hat trick as the New York Islanders cruised past New Jersey, and Montreal notched a third straight win by downing Philadelphia.
Anaheim goaltender Viktor Fasth was strong in the shootout, allowing only one of three Nashville shooters to score. He improved to 8-0-0 this season, with four of those victories coming in shootouts.
Matt Beleskey and Patrick Maroon had goals for the Ducks in regulation. David Legwand and Shea Weber scored for Nashville.
Toronto’s Scrivens stopped 34 shots as the Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 3-0.
Scrivens was making his second straight start since incumbent James Reimer injured a knee on Monday. The 26-year-old Scrivens has been solid as Reimer’s replacement, stopping 96 of the 100 shots he has faced.
Frazer McLaren, Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles scored for Toronto, which earned its fifth win in six games.
New York’s Tavares scored three times and set up another as the Islanders trounced the New Jersey Devils 5-1.
Matt Moulson had a goal and three assists and Michael Grabner scored with 35 seconds left for the Islanders.
The Devils’ lone goal was Marek Zidlicky’s power play slap shot 8:47 into the third.
Montreal rookie Brendan Gallagher had a goal and assist before leaving the game with an injury as the Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 4-1.
David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec and Rene Bourque also scored for the Canadiens, who outshot the tired-looking Flyers 29-19. Gallagher left four minutes into the third period after being hit into the boards.
Daniel Briere scored for Philadelphia.
Tampa Bay Lightning ended a six-game losing skid by edging their state rivals, the Florida Panthers, 6-5 after overtime, with Benoit Pouliot scoring twice.
The Edmonton Oilers had a team-record 56 shots as stormed back from three goals down to beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-4, with Magnus Paajarvi scoring the go-ahead goal in the closing minutes.
Phoenix’s Martin Hanzal had two goals and an assist as the Coyotes beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-3.
