NHL: New York Rangers hammer Colorado Avalanche

Two first-period goals from captain Ryan Callahan helped New York Rangers to an impressive 5-1 victory over Colorado.

Anton Stralman, Derick Brassard and Brad Richards added the other goals for the Rangers, who have now won four in a row and are second in the Metropolitan Division.
Gabriel Landeskog scored in the second for the Avalanche, who had been on a four-game winning streak of their own.
St. Louis crept closer to Central Division leader Chicago by taking one point in a 5-4 shootout loss to Ottawa.
Kyle Turris scored the deciding goal in the fifth round of the shootout and also netted in regulation for the Senators.
Boston strengthened their grip on the Atlantic Division with a 3-1 win over struggling Vancouver, with nearest rival Tampa Bay losing 2-1 at Minnesota.
Jarome Iginla and Milan Lucic each had a goal and an assist for the Bruins, for whom Daniel Paille also scored.
Boston have now won six of its past seven.
Raphael Diaz pulled Vancouver to 2-1 in the second period, one day after coming over from Montreal in a trade, but the side ultimately fell to a fifth straight defeat.
Elsewhere, Minnesota Wild beat Tampa Bay 2-1, Dallas Stars claimed a 3-1 win over Phoenix, Carolna were beaten 2-1 by Winnipeg and Florida trumphed 4-1 against Toronto.
In addition, Montreal were 2-0 winners over Calgary and the New York Islanders beat Washington 1-0.