(Sports Network) - Chuck Kobasew scored twice and Tim Thomas recorded his fourth shutout of the season with 35 saves as Boston crushed Anaheim, 6-0, at TD Banknorth Garden. Michael Ryder added a goal and two assists while Matt Hunwick and Byron Bitz also tallied for the Bruins, who were coming off a 6-1 rout of Florida on Tuesday and have posted consecutive wins to start their six-game homestand. Boston also won its 42nd game of the season, eclipsing last year's mark by one. Jean-Sebastien Giguere took the loss after allowing three goals on eight shots for the Ducks, whose two-game win streak came to a crashing halt against the best team in the Eastern Conference. Jonas Hiller finished the game by giving up three goals on 19 shots.

Final Score: New Jersey 4, Colorado 0

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Sidelined for nearly four months, Martin Brodeur returned to the ice with another incredible performance, logging his 99th career shutout in a 4-0 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Brodeur had been out since he tore the distal biceps muscle in his left elbow in a November 1 game against Atlanta, an injury that required surgery. The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer returned in sparkling fashion, stopping 24 shots for his 545th career win, which is six shy of Patrick Roy's NHL record. The 99 shutouts are four short of Terry Sawchuk for most all-time. A four-time Vezina Trophy winner, Brodeur stopped five shots in the first period, 12 in the second and seven more in the third. Jay Pandolfo took a tripping penalty for New Jersey in the final minute, but Brodeur stood tall to preserve New Jersey's sixth win in eight games. Scott Clemmensen and Kevin Weekes did an excellent job tending goal while Brodeur was sidelined and helped the Devils overtake first place in the Atlantic Division. With Brodeur's win Thursday, New Jersey moved six points clear of Philadelphia for the top spot. Travis Zajac and Zach Parise each had a goal and two assists for the Devils, who also got goals from Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Elias. Andrew Raycroft made 28 saves for Colorado, which has lost three in a row after a three-game winning streak.



Final Score: Toronto 5, NY Islanders 4 (SO)

Uniondale, NY (Sports Network) - Tim Stapleton delivered the game-winner in the shootout in his NHL debut, as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the New York Islanders, 5-4, at Nassau Coliseum. Nik Antropov, Dominic Moore, Ian White and Pavel Kubina each scored for the Maple Leafs, who were coming off a home-and- home sweep of the New York Rangers. Jason Blake and Mikhail Grabovski both collected two assists, while Vesa Toskala finished with 40 saves. Sean Bergenheim, Jon Sim, Dean McAmmond and Mark Streit found the net for the Islanders, who have lost nine of their last 11 games. Joey MacDonald made 29 stops for New York, which rallied from a two-goal deficit late in the third period.



Final Score: Florida 2, NY Rangers 1

New York, NY (Sports Network) - David Booth and Nathan Horton scored a minute apart in the third period, as the Florida Panthers took a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Craig Anderson made 40 saves for Florida, which rebounded from a loss Tuesday to Boston. Thursday's game concluded the four-game season series, which the Panthers won, 3-0-1. Markus Naslund had the lone goal for the Rangers, who remained winless under new head coach John Tortorella. He replaced Tom Renney on Monday, but New York lost in Tortorella's debut Wednesday, against Toronto. The Rangers have lost four in a row overall and 12 of their last 14 games. Henrik Lundqvist gave up both goals on 22 shots in the loss.



Final Score: Washington 4, Atlanta 3

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Alexander Semin had a goal and two assists as the Washington Capitals (web | news) knocked off the Atlanta Thrashers, 4-3, at Verizon Center. Mike Green added a goal and an assist while Michal Neuvirth stopped 21 shots in the win for the Capitals, who have taken two of their last three games. Ilya Kovalchuk and Todd White each had a goal and an assist for the Thrashers, who have dropped three of four. Kari Lehtonen gave up all four goals on 40 shots.



Final Score: Carolina 2, Buffalo 1 (SO)

Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Jussi Jokinen scored the game-winner in the shootout and give the Carolina Hurricanes a big victory, 2-1, over the Buffalo Sabres at RBC Center. In the second round, Jokinen used a stutter-step and then snapped a wrister into the left corner of the net past Patrick Lalime. Jason Pominville then bounced a wrister off the crossbar, but Lalime kept his team in the game with an arm save on Matt Cullen's shot. Tim Connolly had the last chance for Buffalo and he went to the backhand, but Cam Ward made the stop for the win. Anton Babchuk scored in regulation while Ward stopped 36 shots for the Hurricanes, who have won four of their last five games. The win gives Carolina 69 points on the season and the team is currently tied with Buffalo for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Buffalo, though, holds the first tiebreaker as the team has played one less game than Carolina. Patrick Kaleta scored the goal and Lalime stopped 31 shots for the Sabres, who have dropped three of four.



Final Score: San Jose 2, Ottawa 1

Ottawa, ON (Sports Network) - Milan Michalek and Patrick Marleau scored power-play goals 1:18 apart in the second period, as the San Jose Sharks edged the Ottawa Senators, 2-1, at Scotiabank Place. Brian Boucher made 23 saves for the Sharks, who rebounded from a loss Wednesday to post their fifth win in six games. Marleau's goal was his 34th of the season, which ties a career high he set during the 2005-06 season. Mike Fisher's power-play tally was the lone score for Ottawa, which won Tuesday against Carolina, but has dropped four of five overall. Alex Auld gave up both goals on 24 shots.



Final Score: Nashville 4, Phoenix 1

Nashville, TN (Sports Network) - Joel Ward had a goal and an assist while Pekka Rinne stopped 25 shots to help the Nashville Predators to a 4-1 win over the Phoenix Coyotes at Sommet Center. David Legwand, Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan each lit the lamp for the Predators, who have won three straight. Ed Jovanovski scored the lone goal for the Coyotes, who have dropped their past two games. Ilya Bryzgalov gave up all four goals on 47 shots in the loss.



Final Score: St. Louis 3, Dallas 1

Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - T.J. Oshie and Patrik Berglund tallied in the third period to snap a tie and send St. Louis past Dallas, 3-1, at American Airlines Center. Jay McClement registered the other goal for the Blues, who have won three of four. Chris Mason was another key component of the victory, stopping 41-of-42 shots. Jere Lehtinen provided the sole score for the Stars, who stumbled to their third straight loss. Marty Turco surrendered all three goals on 22 shots in defeat.



Final Score: Columbus 1, Edmonton 0

Edmonton, AB (Sports Network) - Steve Mason recorded his eighth shutout of the season with 19 saves as Columbus edged Edmonton, 1-0, at Rexall Place. Raffi Torres notched the lone goal of the game for the Blue Jackets, who halted a two-game losing streak. Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves in the tough loss for the Oilers, who have dropped four of five.





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