As Backup Goalies Face Off, Canucks Survive Preds

In a game that was neck and neck until halfway through the third, Vancouver scored three times in the final minutes to defeat the Predators 5-2, the Tennessean reports. The Canucks' backup goalie Curtis Stanford outlasted Predators' backup Dan Ellis, who lost for the first time as the goalie of record this season. Elsewhere in the NHL last night:

• Tampa Bay survived a last-minute effort to beat the Hurricanes, 2-1. Lightning goalie Johan Holmqvist came within 18 seconds of notching the second shutout of his career.
• A close struggle between the Penguins and the Flames ended with defenseman Kris Letang scoring in the fourth round of the shootout to give the Penguins a 3-2 victory over Calgary.