NHL IN BRIEF

FLAMES 6, AVALANCHE 3

DENVER — Mikael Backlund scored two of Calgary’s four goals in the second period and also had an assist, and the Flames beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Tuesday night.

Johnny Gaudreau also had two goals and an assist for the Flames as all of Calgary’s secondperiod goals deflected off Colorado players.

Brian Elliott had 25 saves for the Flames, who have won nine of 12.

Gabriel Landeskog had two goals and Jarome Iginla scored for Colorado, which has lost nine straight at home for the first time since moving to Denver. The Avalanche are 0-8-1 at Pepsi Center since beating the Los Angeles Kings 4-1 on Nov. 15.

Calgary trailed 1-0 after the first period but used the Avalanche to take a 4-2 lead into the third. Backlund scored on shots that went off Colorado defenders, Gaudreau banked a shot off the glass behind the net and off goaltender Calvin Pickard to make it 3-1 and Sam Bennett had a tip that deflected off Carl Soderberg’s skate.

Gaudreau and Kris Versteeg scored goals in the third period sandwiched around Landeskog’s second of the night.

RANGERS 4, SENATORS 3

NEW YORK — Defenceman Nick Holden scored the go-ahead goal less than seven minutes into the third period, lifting New York to a comeback victory over Ottawa.

Holden’s second goal of the game and sixth of the season came at 6:31 as he wedged the puck past Senators goaltender Mike Condon just four seconds after a Rangers’ power play had expired.

Derek Stepan had two goals and defenceman Ryan McDonagh had three assists as the Rangers overcame a 3-1 deficit.

Antti Raanta, who allowed goals on the first two shots he faced from the Senators, recovered to make 33 saves for the win, improving to 9-4-0 this season.

JETS 3, BLACKHAWKS 1

CHICAGO — Blake Wheeler, Mark Scheifele and Drew Stafford scored and Connor Hellebuyck made 34 saves to help Winnipeg beat Chicago.

Jacob Trouba added two assists, and Winnipeg won its second straight and fourth in five games. The Jets beat Central Divisionleading Chicago for the third time in three tries this season, outscoring the Blackhawks 9-2.

Artem Anisimov scored for Chicago.