NHL Wrap: Blackhawks blank surging Rangers

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NEW YORK -- Brad Richards broke a scoreless deadlock 7:19 into the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks cooled off goalie Cam Talbot and the surging New York Rangers 1-0 on Wednesday night.

Right after Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle rang a shot off the crossbar behind Blackhawks backup goalie Scott Darling, Richards got the puck in front of the New York net, waited patiently and snapped a shot past Talbot for his 11th goal.

The Blackhawks stretched their winning streak to four and snapped the Eastern Conference-leading Rangers' winning run at five games.

Richards, a member of the Rangers last season, has five career goals against New York. That was enough to make a winner of Darling, who played for just the third time since Dec. 13. He made 25 saves to improve to 7-3 and earn his first NHL shutout in 10 career games (see full recap).

Kesler gives Ducks OT win over Kings
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ryan Kesler scored 45 seconds into overtime, and the Anaheim Ducks rallied from another third-period deficit for a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night in the final Freeway Faceoff meeting of the regular season.

Patrick Maroon and Jakob Silfverberg scored third-period goals for the Ducks, who took four of five in this lively rivalry. John Gibson made 29 saves as Anaheim took sole possession of the overall NHL lead with 97 points after rallying for its NHL-best 12th comeback victory when trailing after two periods this season.

Justin Williams scored the tying goal with 4:18 left for the Kings, who still took sole possession of third place in the Pacific Division. The defending Stanley Cup champions have earned points in seven of eight games down the stretch (see full recap).

Blue Jackets top Oilers in shootout
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Alexander Wennberg scored the shootout winner as the Columbus Blue Jackets edged the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Wednesday.

David Savard, Ryan Johansen and Mark Letestu scored in regulation for the Blue Jackets (31-35-4), who have won four of their last five.

Derek Roy, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Nail Yakupov had goals for the Oilers (19-39-13), who have lost eight of their last nine games.

The Oilers took a 3-2 lead midway through the third as an Oscar Klefbom shot came off the boards to Yakupov on the other side and he deposited his 12th of the season into the net.

Letestu responded for the Blue Jackets 54 seconds later, ripping a long shot off the post and in past Scrivens (see full recap).

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