NHL roundup

Ducks 4, Blackhawks 2

While the Chicago Blackhawks captured the sports world’s attention with their record start to the regular season, the Anaheim Ducks cruised right along behind them, waiting for their chance to seize the spotlight.

When that opportunity arrived late in the third period Wednesday night, Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne absolutely nailed it.

Getzlaf set up Bobby Ryan’s tying goal and Selanne’s tiebreaker 1:04 apart in the waning minutes, and the Ducks rallied for a victory over Chicago in a meeting of the NHL’s top two teams.

Jonas Hiller stopped 22 shots, and Peter Holland and Sheldon Souray scored as the Ducks extended their franchise-record home winning streak to 13 games in dramatic fashion. Anaheim (22-3-4) pulled within three points of Chicago atop the overall NHL standings by dealing the Blackhawks just their third regulation loss of the season.

“It means a lot,” said Ryan, who scored his ninth goal of the season. “They’ve made a statement to run away with it so far, and we’ve quietly just gone about our business. To be three points back with a game in hand is huge. ... It’s been a fun ride to be a part of, and I hope it continues.”

Getzlaf could barely get out of bed with a case of the flu, lasting just five minutes at the morning skate and taking only one faceoff during the game. The Anaheim captain still delivered two remarkable assists in pressure-packed moments to hand Chicago its third regulation loss in six games after its 21-0-3 start to the season.

“He’s playing an MVP season right now, and it’s fun to watch,” Selanne said.

Getzlaf first fed Ryan on a rush for the tying goal with 5:27 to play before setting up the 42-year-old Selanne for his 670th career goal with 4:23 left, ending the Finnish Flash’s nine-game goal drought. Souray added an empty-net goal in the final minute for Anaheim, which has earned points in 12 straight games (9-0-3).

“We don’t expect to come back, but we always think we can,” Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We’ve got great leadership. Everybody knows their role, and everybody played it.”

Nick Leddy scored a power-play goal and captain Jonathan Toews scored an early short-handed goal for the Blackhawks (24-3-3), who have lost after entering the third period with a lead just twice in 19 games this season — both times to the Ducks.

The largest crowd in Honda Center history was packed with boisterous fans of both teams for a prominent game in this lockout-shortened year. Two clubs with a points percentage above .800 had never met this late in an NHL season, and they lived up to their pedigrees in a fast-paced game showcasing their skill and tenacity.

“They obviously have the advantage right now because they’ve got four points (in their two meetings) and we’ve got one, so I’m sure they’re feeling pretty good,” Chicago’s Patrick Kane said. “But hopefully we can learn from these games and move forward and become a better team because of it. We’ve made a couple of mental mistakes lately that have cost us.”

Corey Crawford made 22 saves for the Blackhawks, who appeared to be headed for a 2-1 road victory until Anaheim scored three times in stunning style.

Chicago has earned 51 of a possible 60 points in its first 30 games this season, but Anaheim is responsible for a third of those missed points after this win and a 3-2 shootout victory at the United Center last month. The Ducks and Blackhawks finish their regular-season series March 29 in Chicago.

“They’ve been having a great season, but they’ve just been under the radar because of our streak and the way we’ve been playing,” Kane said. “But they’re a great team, and we’re going to be ready for them next time.”

Both teams played this showdown without key offensive components. Ducks right wing Corey Perry finished his four-game suspension for an illegal hit, while Chicago’s Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp sat out with injuries.

Maple Leafs 4, Lightning 2

Nazem Kadri had three assists and Joffrey Lupul added a goal and an assist as the Toronto Maple Leafs snapped a five-game winless skid with a victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Dion Phaneuf, Tyler Bozak and Nikolai Kulemin also scored for Toronto. Kadri’s three points tied a career high, and he had a chance at a fourth point but was hauled down in front of the goal by Teddy Purcell midway through the third period.

Rookies Radko Gudas and Cory Conacher scored for Tampa Bay in the third, spoiling James Reimer’s shutout attempt.

Wild 4, Red Wings 2

Devin Setoguchi had two goals, Niklas Backstrom made 36 saves and the streaking Minnesota Wild beat the Detroit Red Wings.

Kyle Brodziak, Mikko Koivu also scored for Minnesota, which won its fourth straight. Pierre-Marc Bouchard had two assists.

Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored for Detroit.

Minnesota led 1-0 after the first period despite being outshot 17-5. Setoguchi opened the scoring 2:04 into the game when he swept in a shot from the bottom of the right circle for his 10th goal. Setoguchi’s second goal of the game came on the power play with 2:45 left in the second period, putting in a rebound to give Minnesota a 4-1 lead.

Sharks 4, Oilers 3 (SO)

Logan Couture scored twice in regulation and added a shootout goal, and Dan Boyle netted the tiebreaker winner in the San Jose Sharks’ victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

After Couture pulled the Sharks within a goal on a power play at 6:50 of the third, Tommy Wingels tied it at 9:15. San Jose snapped a two-game losing streak with its second victory in eight games.

Sam Gagner, Shawn Horcoff and Ryan Jones scored for Edmonton. The Oilers have earned eight points in their last five games.

Avalanche 4, Stars 3

Chuck Kobasew’s goal with 3:29 left in the third period rallied the Colorado Avalanche past the Dallas Stars.

Mark Olver and Ryan O’Reilly each had a goal and an assist, and Gabriel Landeskog also had a goal for the Avalanche, who stopped a four-game skid.

The Avalanche got the winner when Matt Hunwick’s shot from the boards hit Dallas defenseman Stephane Robidas in the face and dropped to the ice. Kobasew quickly knocked it in with a backhand to stop Colorado’s four-game skid.

Jaromir Jagr scored a goal and had two assists, and Trevor Daley and Ray Whitney also scored for the Stars.