National Hockey League logo. Courtesy NHL.com.National Hockey League logo. Courtesy NHL.com.
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NHL Notes For December 8

Eric Staal stayed hot against the Maple Leafs. He scored the eventual game winner to lead Minnesota past Toronto 3-2. Staal has 47 points in 43 career games against the Leafs. Nicklas Backstrom scored the winner as Washington beat Boston in OT 4-3. David Pastrnak (16) scored to help Boston erase a 3-0 deficit. Justin Williams potted a pair for the Caps. A late goal from Chris Kelly helped Ottawa get by San Jose 4-2. Erik Karlson had a goal and two assists from the Sens' blue line. Brent Burns (11) and Logan Couture (10) both scored for San Jose.

A shootout was needed to settle things between Carolina and Anaheim as the Ducks escaped with a 6-5 win over the 'Canes. The Ducks scored three third period goals to force overtime.

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The Montreal Canadiens expect to spend the next six to eight weeks without forwards Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais because of knee injuries suffered during the team's last two games.

Galchenyuk had a team-high 23 points when he was injured during Sunday's game at Los Angeles. Desharnais was hurt in Tuesday's loss at St. Louis, prompting the Habs to recall Sven Andrighetto from the St. John's of the AHL.

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On this day in 1987, Ron Hextall of the Philadelphia Flyers became the first goalie in NHL history to score a goal and intentionally shooting it into the open net, doing so against Boston.

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