The New Jersey Devils hit a three-goal first-period salvo to stun the Boston Bruins and set up a 3-2 victory.

Rob Niedermayer opened the scoring for the visitors midway through the opening period while David Clarkson netted the second at 17:23, the assist coming from Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur who also stopped 34 shots.

Zach Parise made it 3-0 less than a minute later with his 32nd of the season as Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas ended the first period having shipped a quarter of the 12 shots he faced.

The Bruins defence shored up with Tuukka Rask replacing Thomas from the start of the second period, and the hosts made a game of it in what time remained.

Blake Wheeler's 17th goal of the season early in the second made it 3-1, while Patrice Bergeron set up a grandstand finish with a minute remaining but the Bruins failed to force overtime.

Tomas Holmstrom hit the winner with just 79 seconds left on the clock as the Detroit Red Wings posted a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames.

The match was crucial in the battle to land the final play-off spot in the Western Conference and victory for Detroit sees them open up a three-point lead over the Flames.

Craig Conroy opened the scoring for Calgary in the first period before Pavel Datsyuk levelled on a powerplay in the second for Detroit.

Kristian Huselius hit a goal and added three assists as the Columbus Blue Jackets ran out 5-3 winners over the Edmonton Oilers. Antoine Vermette, Jakub Voracek, Chris Clark and Marc Methot were also on target for the Blue Jackets.

The Oilers tallied through Robert Nilsson, Dustin Penner and Aaron Johnson but it was not enough to prevent the Western Conference's bottom side slumping to a second straight loss.