Josh Norris scored twice as Buffalo defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at KeyBank Center. Kirill Kaprizov also delivered a four-point performance in Minnesota’s 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Meanwhile, Anaheim recovered from a two-goal deficit to extend their winning run with a dramatic victory in Calgary.
Sabres cruise past Blue Jackets
Buffalo secured a 5-2 victory over Columbus, with Norris scoring twice and Owen Power providing three assists.
Jack Quinn opened the scoring at 6:50 of the first period, finishing his own rebound to give the Sabres an early advantage.
Kent Johnson equalised for Columbus at 16:00, but Norris restored Buffalo’s lead two minutes later.
Rasmus Dahlin extended the advantage to 3-1 early in the second period before Norris scored his second goal of the night at 9:46.
Josh Doan added Buffalo’s fifth goal shortly afterwards, giving the hosts a commanding 5-1 lead.
Zach Werenski scored a late power-play goal for Columbus, but it was not enough to prevent the Blue Jackets from suffering a 5-2 defeat.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 24 saves for Buffalo, while Jet Greaves stopped 32 shots for Columbus.
Kaprizov inspires Wild against Sharks
Kirill Kaprizov scored once and supplied three assists as the Minnesota Wild defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-1 at Grand Casino Arena.
Kaprizov opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 7:55 of the first period, converting a pass from Quinn Hughes.
Macklin Celebrini restored parity for San Jose in the second period, but Maxim Shabanov put Minnesota back in front at 14:15, finishing a pass from Kaprizov.
Hughes increased the Wild’s advantage early in the third period before Zach Bogosian completed the scoring with his first goal of the season.
The victory extended Minnesota’s winning streak to three games, while San Jose suffered a fourth consecutive defeat.
Ducks fight back to defeat Flames
The Anaheim Ducks produced the comeback of the night, recovering from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Calgary Flames 5-3 at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Calgary made a strong start, with William Stromgren opening the scoring before Jeff Malott equalised for Anaheim.
Joel Hanley restored the Flames’ lead, and Joel Farabee added a power-play goal to give the hosts a 3-1 advantage before the end of the first period.
Tristan Luneau reduced the deficit in the second period, while Leo Carlsson scored early in the third to bring Anaheim level at 3-3.
Cutter Gauthier then completed the turnaround with a goal 1 minute and 34 seconds before the end of regulation.
Nikita Nesterenko added an empty-net goal with 14 seconds remaining to seal the Ducks’ 5-3 victory.
Ville Husso was instrumental in the comeback, stopping all 10 shots he faced after replacing Lukas Dostal in the first period.
The victory extended Anaheim’s winning streak to four games.
Friday's NHL results
• Buffalo Sabres: 5-2 Columbus Blue Jackets
• Minnesota Wild: 4-1 San Jose Sharks
• Anaheim Ducks: 5-3 Calgary Flames