Roloson Continues Winning for Wild

Dwayne Roloson proved his worth to the Minnesota Wild with another impressive victory.

Roloson, who signed a three-year contract extension Tuesday worth about $2 million per season, made 22 saves Friday for his career-high 19th victory as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Nashville Predators, 3-1, at St. Paul, Minn.

Roloson had his shutout bid ended by Scott Walker midway through the third period.

Each team is chasing its franchise’s first playoff berth. The victory lifted Minnesota into a tie with the Ducks for sixth place in the Western Conference.The Predators trail Edmonton by six points for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Nashville’s loss clinched a playoff spot for the Dallas Stars.

Tampa Bay 4, Buffalo 2 -- Dave Andreychuk scored his 611th goal in the Lightning’s victory at Buffalo, N.Y., and moved past Bobby Hull for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time scoring list. Vaclav Prospal had two goals and an assist for Tampa Bay.

Chicago 4, Phoenix 0 -- Jocelyn Thibault made 20 saves for his eighth shutout to help the Blackhawks win at Phoenix. Steve Sullivan scored two power-play goals for the Blackhawks, who are 3-11-0-2 in their last 16 games.

*

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman introduced billionaire B. Thomas Golisano as the next owner of the Buffalo Sabres. Golisano has offered $92 million to buy the bankrupt team, a bid supported by the Sabres’ former owner.... Calgary Flame forward Dean McAmmond was ruled ineligible for the rest of the NHL season because of a technicality concerning his trade from Colorado.

From Associated Press