WASHINGTON (AP) - Mike Knuble and Nicklas Backstrom fueled Washington's high-powered offense with three points apiece, and the Capitals pulled away to their ninth consecutive victory, 4-1 over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
Knuble had two goals and an assist, and Backstrom had a goal and two assists for the Capitals, who took a 2-1 lead into the third period before taking control.
The winning streak is the second-longest in franchise history, just one short of the 10 straight won by the 1983-84 team. Washington has won 12 times in January to tie the team record for a month, set in December 1984.
The Capitals, who lead the NHL in goals, have outscored the opposition 44-19 during their nine-game run. Alex Ovechkin contributed an assist, and Alexander Semin extended his points streak to eight games with an assist.
Jeff Schultz also scored, and Michal Neuvirth had 35 saves for Washington, 20-3-3 at home. Steven Weiss scored his 20th goal for Florida.
Devils 5, Maple Leafs 4, OT
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Travis Zajac scored at 4:14 of overtime after assisting on three goals for New Jersey in regulation.
Zach Parise set up the winner and finished with two goals and two assists, Patrick Davis scored his first NHL goal, Dainius Zubrus added a goal, and Martin Brodeur made 25 saves. Alexei Ponikarovsky and Matt Stajan scored late goals to pull Toronto even. Carl Gunnarsson added his first NHL goal, and Colton Orr also scored.
Red Wings 4, Predators 2
DETROIT (AP) - Jimmy Howard made 46 saves, and Jason Williams, Nicklas Lidstrom, Drew Miller and Henrik Zetterberg scored to help Detroit snap a three-game losing streak and tie Nashville for eighth place in the Western Conference.
Francis Bouillon and Shea Weber scored for Nashville. The Predators have lost a season-high five straight games.
Stars 3, Avalanche 2
DALLAS (AP) - Mike Modano scored his 554th and 555th career goals to lead Dallas to its fifth consecutive home victory.
The 39-year-old Modano has 1,351 points, moving past Mats Sundin into sole possession of 25th place on the career list.
Jamie Benn also scored, and Alex Auld made 24 saves for the Stars. Matt Duchene and T.J. Galiardi scored for Colorado. The Avalanche have lost two straight after winning six straight games.
Ducks 2, Lightning 1, SO
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Defenseman James Wisniewski scored in regulation and added the shootout winner for Anaheim.
Ryan Getzlaf also scored in the shootout for Anaheim, 2-3 on a six-game trip.
Martin St. Louis scored for Tampa Bay. Lightning goalie Antero Niittymaki had his career-high scoreless streak end at 146 minutes, 13 seconds on Wisniewski's goal.
Sabres 2, Bruins 1
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - Ryan Miller made 30 saves, and Henrik Tallinder and Thomas Vanek scored for Buffalo against slumping Boston.
Milan Lucic scored, and Tuukka Rask made 21 saves for Boston. The Bruins lost their sixth straight (0-5-1) - their longest winless drought since December 2007 - and are 1-8-1 in their last 10 games.