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Chicago Blackhawks edge out Buffalo Sabres in thriller; Devils snap losing streak

Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates his third period goal against the Vancouver Canucks
Image: Jonathan Toews: Late brace helped Blackhawks past Sabres

Chicago captain Jonathan Toews scored twice with less than two minutes left on the clock to lead his team to a 4-3 NHL victory over Buffalo at First Niagara Center on Friday.

Toews' two goals - 47 seconds apart - spared the Blackhawks' blushes after they had relinquished a 2-1 lead heading into the third period against the bottom-placed Sabres.

The result marked a fourth consecutive win for Chicago and boosted their Central Division title hopes.

The St Louis Blues moved level with the Nashville Predators for first place in the Central Division with a 7-5 victory over the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center. Jaden Schwartz notched a hat-trick for the Blues and Brian Elliott made 27 saves.

Elsewhere on Friday, Jacob Josefson and Patrik Elias scored in the shootout to help the New Jersey Devils snap a six-game losing streak with a 3-2 triumph over the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center.

Early goals from Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski laid the foundations for San Jose to beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-1, improving the Sharks' prospects in their pursuit of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.

The Colorado Avalanche kept alive their slim play-off hopes with a 4-2 success against the Anaheim Ducks, Matt Duchene scoring the go-ahead goal on a breakaway at 9:08 of the third period at Honda Center.

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