Senators down Bruins 5-2

<br>BOSTON (AP) _ Todd White scored a short-handed goal and assisted on another score that keyed Ottawa's four-goal second period Thursday as the Senators sent the Boston Bruins to consecutive losses

Friday, December 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) _ Todd White scored a short-handed goal and assisted on another score that keyed Ottawa's four-goal second period Thursday as the Senators sent the Boston Bruins to consecutive losses for the first time this season with a 5-2 victory.

The Senators moved within six points of the Northeast Division-leading Bruins and have lost just once in 11 games (8-1-2). Boston was beaten by Montreal at home on Tuesday.

Shaun Van Allen, Chris Neil, Anton Volchenkov and Marian Hossa also scored for Ottawa. Mike Knuble and Joe Thornton had Boston's goals.

Flyers 2, Maple Leafs 1

In Philadelphia, Simon Gagne and Eric Desjardins scored 1:02 apart midway through the third period as Philadelphia beat Toronto.

Gagne's one-timer from the left circle at 7:10 snapped Ed Belfour's shutout streak against the Flyers at 167 minutes, 10 seconds. Belfour beat Philadelphia 6-0 and 3-0 this season and stopped 69 shots before Gagne's goal.

Desjardins made it 2-0 at 8:12 with his first goal in 16 games.

Mikael Renberg scored a power-play goal for Toronto.

Belfour made 29 saves. Roman Cechmanek had 18.

Blue Jackets 4, Devils 2

In Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Cassels had a goal and an assist _ both on Columbus' rejuvenated power play _ and Marc Denis stopped 40 shots as the Blue Jackets beat New Jersey.

The Blue Jackets scored on two of their first three power-play opportunities against the NHL's best team on the penalty kill.

Ray Whitney had two assists and tied a franchise record with assists in his fifth consecutive game.

Geoff Sanderson had an assist to stretch his point streak to five games. David Vyborny had a goal and an assist.

Scott Niedermayer scored twice for the Devils.

Lightning 3, Canadiens 2

In Montreal, Brad Richards had three points, including an assist on Martin St. Louis' 17th goal with 5:52 remaining in the third period, to lead Tampa Bay over Montreal.

Nikolai Khabibulin made 18 saves for the Lightning _ winless in six previous road games. Tampa Bay earned its first road win since Nov. 23.

Richards, who extended his point streak to six games, assisted on Dan Boyle's power-play goal midway through the second period before scoring his fifth of the season 2:54 into the third to put the Lightning ahead 2-1.

Saku Koivu and Chad Kilger scored for Montreal.

Wild 3, Red Wings 2

In Detroit, Wes Walz had a goal and an assist as Minnesota beat Detroit, despite being outshot by a wide margin.

Minnesota, unbeaten in four games, tied Dallas Stars atop the Western Conference with 39 points. The defending Stanley Cup champion Red Wings, fourth in the West with 37 points, had their five-game unbeaten streak snapped.

Richard Park and Rickard Wallin scored the other goals for the Wild, outshot 38-23.

Boyd Devereaux and Brendan Shanahan scored had Red Wings goals.

Sharks 5, Penguins 2

In San Jose, California, Mike Ricci tipped Bryan Marchment's slap shot into the net with 4 minutes remaining as San Jose overcame two goals by Mario Lemieux to beat Pittsburgh.

Captain Owen Nolan and Patrick Marleau added goals in the final 3:06 as the Sharks roared to their second win in three games under new coach Ron Wilson. With a late rally, San Jose got just its fourth victory in 12 home games this season.

Marleau had two goals, and Adam Graves also scored, as San Jose moved out of last place in the Pacific Division.

Hurricanes 4, Flames 3

In Calgary, Alberta, Ron Francis scored two goals, including the tiebreaking tally at 12:42 of the third period, as Carolina beat Calgary to snap a four-game losing streak.

Jeff O'Neill and Bates Battaglia also scored for Carolina, while Jan Hlavac had three assists.

The loss ends the three game unbeaten streak put up by Calgary interim coach Al MacNeil. Since taking over for the fired Greg Gilbert, MacNeil was 2-0-1.

Oleg Saprykin, Craig Conroy, and Chris Drury scored for Calgary, which scored more than two goals for just the second time in 16 games. This despite missing forward Jarome Iginla, who sat out his second straight game while nursing hip flexor and groin injuries.

Predators 2, Blues 2

In Nashville, Tennessee, Scott Walker scored a pair of power-play goals as Nashville held on to tie St. Louis.

St. Louis, with only three shots in the second period, responded at 16:04 with Martin Rucinsky's short-handed goal. Scott Mellanby added a power-play goal for the Blues.