The Columbus Blue Jackets prevented Buffalo from taking a share of top place in the NHL's Northeast Division with a 6-1 rout of the Sabres on Friday. Columbus goaltender Pascal Leclaire made 36 saves in his return from seven games off with an ankle injury. R.J. Umberger scored twice for the Blue Jackets, who moved within a point of second-placed Chicago in the Central Division. Red Wings 3, Panthers 2: In Sunrise, Florida, Johan Franzen scored on the power play early in the third period to give Detroit victory over Florida. The Red Wings improved their NHL-best road record to 8-1-1. Capitals 3, Devils 1: In Washington, the home team beat New Jersey but lost NHL scoring leader Alexander Semin to injury. Semin left the game late in the second period with an undisclosed injury, with the team saying his fitness will be assessed on a day-to-day basis. Brooks Laich and Tomas Fleischmann each scored and Alex Ovechkin added an empty-net goal in the final minute for the Capitals, who have reached 10 wins quicker than any season since 1991-92. The Devils have lost four in a row. Predators 4, Ducks 3, OT: In Anaheim, California, defenseman Dan Hamhuis scored in overtime to give Nashville a win over Anaheim. The Ducks were playing their first game since Bob Murray took over as general manager for Brian Burke. Thrashers 3, Hurricanes 2: In Atlanta, the home team tied a team record with its fifth consecutive win, downing Carolina. Slava Kozlov scored his ninth goal of the season for the Thrashers, who have resurrected their season after a dismal start that included six losses in a row just before the winning streak. Carolina has lost three straight. Blues 4, Blackhawks 3: In Chicago, Andy McDonald scored his second goal in overtime to give St. Louis a win over Chicago. On a powerplay, McDonald fired the winner with a low shot from the right circle for the Blues, who ended a six
