Avalanche Keeps Cool in Victory

Nothing fazed the Colorado Avalanche.

Not a five-minute disadvantage in the first period, not a two-goal deficit in the third period, not a crowd giving a rare standing ovation to the host New York Rangers.

Because once the Avalanche got things rolling, Alex Tanguay led the way to a 3-2 overtime victory Sunday over the Rangers.

“We didn’t get flustered, no matter what happened,” Coach Tony Granato said.

Tanguay scored the tying goal in the third period and assisted on Karlis Skrastins’ winner 1:14 into overtime to stretch his NHL season-best point streak to nine games.

Skrastins’ shot struck the right post behind Mike Dunham and then caromed off the goalie’s skate and in to win it.

David Aebischer stopped 22 shots for Colorado.

Mark Messier, who scored for New York, moved within one point of Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL career list. Messier has 1,849 on 680 goals and 1,169 assists.

Dallas 7, Nashville 3 -- Bill Guerin earned his second hat trick in three games, and the fifth of his career, to lead the Stars at Dallas.

Brenden Morrow, Niko Kapanen, Mike Modano and Jason Arnott each had a goal and an assist for the Stars. Sergei Zubov had three assists, and goalie Marty Turco made 21 saves.

San Jose 2, Atlanta 2 -- Marco Sturm scored off a scramble with fewer than three minutes left to rally the Sharks at Atlanta.

The tying goal came after Atlanta goalie Pasi Nurminen tried to trap the puck against his chest, but Sturm swooped in and scored his third of the season.

Toronto 2, Carolina 1 -- Mats Sundin scored 1:05 into the game, and rookie Mikael Tellqvist stopped 24 shots at Raleigh, N.C., to help the Maple Leafs end a losing streak at three.