Avs Within Six Points Of Western Conference Lead – NHL Roundup

UNDATED (AP) — The Pittsburgh Penguins were unable to pick up ground on the NHL's Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins.

The Flyers have completed a home-and-home sweep of the Penguins with a 4-3 win in Pittsburgh. Wayne Simmonds assisted on Brayden Schenn's goal 2:06 into the game before scoring two power-play goals in a 6:54 span to give the Flyers a three-goal lead just 14 minutes in.

The Flyers are 5-1-1 in their last seven games, putting them one point ahead of the New York Rangers and Columbus Blue Jackets for second place in the Metropolitan Division.

The Penguins remain three points behind the East-leading Bruins after falling to 4-4-2 in their last 10 games.

Also on ice:

— Antti Niemi (AN'-tee nee-EH'-mee) picked up his fourth shutout of the season by turning back 41 shots in San Jose's sixth consecutive win, 1-0 over the Rangers. Logan Couture (koo-TOOR') provided a short-handed goal in the first period to help the Sharks pull within two points of West-leading St. Louis.

— Chicago knocked off Detroit 4-1 to get within seven points of the Blues. Marian Hossa (HOH'-sah) provided a goal and two assists, and Cory Crawford made 19 saves to help the Blackhawks stop a two-game skid.

— Matt Duchene (doo-SHAYN') set up goals by Andre Benoit (BEHN'-wah) and Nick Holden as Colorado dumped Ottawa 3-1 to climb within six points of the Western Conference lead. Semyon Varlamov (SEHM'-yahn vahr-LAH'-mahv) stopped 38 shots and came within six seconds of a shutout.

— Rookie Dustin Tokarski stopped 29 shots to earn his first NHL shutout in Montreal's 2-0 win over Buffalo. Brendan Gallagher and Dale Weise scored for the Canadiens, who vaulted ahead of Toronto and Tampa Bay into second place in the Atlantic Division.

— Troy Brouwer (BROW'-ur) tallied twice and Washington rode a three-goal first period to a 4-2 triumph over Toronto. Joel Ward had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who scored on three of their first five shots against James Reimer for a 3-0 lead.

— Dustin Byfuglien (BUHF'-lihn) had two goals and an assist as Winnipeg clobbered Dallas 7-2. Olli Jokinen (OH'-lee YOH'-kih-nehn) and Tomas Enstrom each had a goal and two assists, while Blake Wheeler set up four goals to help the Jets end a six-game losing streak.

— Nicklas Jensen scored in the first period and added the only shootout goal to lead Vancouver's offense in a 4-3 win over Florida and former Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo (loh-AHN'-goh). Alex Burrows had a goal and two assists to support Eddie Lack's 26 saves.

— Edmonton beat Carolina 2-1 on Justin Schultz's goal with 10:59 remaining. Ben Scrivens made 29 saves for the win.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Kris Letang has been cleared to practice with the Penguins and will join the team for practice Monday, less than seven weeks after sustaining a stroke. Letang hasn't played since a Jan. 29 stroke and subsequent discovery of a small hole in his heart. He has been taken off blood thinner medication.

NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss.

Vancouver 4, Florida 3, SO

Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 3

Washington 4, Toronto 2

Edmonton 2, Carolina 1

San Jose 1, N.Y. Rangers 0

Colorado 3, Ottawa 1

Montreal 2, Buffalo 0

Chicago 4, Detroit 1

Winnipeg 7, Dallas 2

Minnesota at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Vancouver at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Winnipeg at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

Boston at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Colorado at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.

Toronto at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Chicago at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Buffalo at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Nashville at Edmonton, 9:30 p.m.

Washington at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

Florida at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Toronto, 7 p.m.

St. Louis at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Colorado at Winnipeg, 8 p.m.

Nashville at Vancouver, 10 p.m.