Avs End Three Game Skid With Win Over Blackhawks – NHL Roundup For Nov. 20th

UNDATED (AP) — The Boston Bruins were able to climb atop the NHL's Eastern Conference standings while ruining the return of Rick Nash to the New York Rangers' lineup.

Tuukka (TOO'-kah) Rask stopped a penalty shot in the first period on his way to a 43-save effort in the Bruins' 2-1 win over the Rangers. Rask stoned Chris Kreider on the penalty shot and was perfect until Derick Brassard's power-play goal in the second period.

Nash skated well and had several scoring chances in his return from a 17-game absence caused by a concussion sustained in New York's third game of the season.

Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille (PY'-ay) did the scoring for the Bruins as they improved to 14-6-1, one point ahead of Tampa Bay.

The Lightning lost their conference lead by falling to the Kings 5-2 in Los Angeles. Anze Kopitar (AHN'-zhay KOH'-pih-tahr) and Justin Williams each had a goal and an assist while the Kings were building a 4-0 lead over Tampa Bay en route to their sixth victory in seven games.

Also on the NHL slate:

— Semyon Varlamov (SEHM'-yahn vahr-LAH'-mahv) stopped 36 shots and Colorado put together a three-goal third period to beat Chicago 5-1. Paul Stastny (STAS'-nee) had a goal and an assist to help the Avalanche end a three-game skid.

— Max Pacioretty (pash-uh-RET'-ee) scored a natural hat trick during a 10:39 span of the second period to lead Montreal's 6-2 trouncing of Minnesota. David Desharnais (day-ahr-NAY') and P.K. Subban each had two assists for the Canadiens.

— Nashville was a 2-0 winner at Detroit as rookie Marek Mazanec stopped 27 shots for his first career shutout. David Legwand assisted on Shea Weber's power-play goal with five seconds left in the second period before scoring the insurance goal.

— Brenden Morrow scored twice and Jaroslav Halak (hah-LAHK') turned back 23 shots as St. Louis dumped Buffalo 4-1. The Blues have won 13 of their last 15 games against the Sabres since 1999.

— Phil Kessel scored twice and Joffrey Lupul (JAHF'-ree LOO'-pul) had three assists as Toronto whipped the New York Islanders 5-2. Trevor Smith put the Maple Leafs ahead just 22 seconds into the game before setting up goals by Kessel and David Clarkson.

— Kimmo Timonen scored the game-winner and had two assists in Philadelphia's 5-2 verdict over Ottawa. The game was tied 2-2 until Timonen and Wayne Simmonds scored 23 seconds apart midway through the third period.

— Edmonton ripped Columbus 7-0 as David Perron provided two goals and two assists. Ryan Smyth added a goal and two assists to back Devan Dubbyk (DOOB'-nihk), who needed to make just 14 saves in his seventh career shutout.

— Jonathan Huberdeau (HOO'-bur-doh) notched the lone shootout goal and Tim Thomas handled 27 shots in Florida's 3-2 win at Vancouver, the Canucks' fifth straight loss. Shawn Matthias tied the game for the Panthers with 11:26 left in regulation.