Daniel Cleary and Johan Franzen scored 35 seconds apart midway through the third period to help the Detroit Red Wings come from behind and post a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Ducks in a battle of the Western Conference heavyweights on Thursday. Tomas Holmstrom and Jiri Hudler also found the net for Detroit, while the All-Star Pavel Datsyuk and defenceman Niklas Kronwall notched two assists apiece for the Red Wings, who bounced back strongly from Monday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Dallas Stars to win for the seventh time in eight games.
Meanwhile in other action, the All-Star Alex Ovechkin scored twice and set up another as the Washington Capitals ended a season-high, three-game losing streak in style with a deserved 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Viktor Kozlov, Alexander Semin and defenceman Jeff Schultz were also on the scoresheet, while Nicklas Backstrom collected three assists for Washington to cap a fine individual display.
It was a third consecutive success at the Mellon Arena for the first time since capturing four straight wins between Jan 16-Nov 20, 1985. Elsewhere, Dean McAmmond netted a crucial goal with 5:37 remaining in the second period as the Ottawa Senators held on for a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers. Captain Jonathan Toews recorded a goal and an assist and rookie Kris Versteeg set up a two goals as the Chicago Blackhawks skated to a comfortable 4-1 triumph over the Buffalo Sabres.
* With Agencies
