The Chicago Blackhawks went a point clear in the Western Conference thanks to a 2-0 win over the in-form Phoenix Coyotes.

Antti Niemi made 28 saves to deny the Coyotes a franchise-record 10th straight win, claiming his sixth shutout in the process, while Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa both scored in the second period.

The Coyotes' loss also allowed the San Jose Sharks to regain the lead in the Pacific Division with a 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.

Joe Pavelski, Dany Heatley, Torrey Mitchell and Joe Thornton got the goals for San Jose to put an end to a six-game losing streak.

Northwest Division leaders the Vancouver Canucks slipped to a 3-2 defeat against the Edmonton Oilers, who had a goal and an assist from Tom Gilbert.

The New Jersey Devils moved into pole position in the Atlantic position with a 6-3 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Travis Zajac and Zach Parise scored twice apiece, while Ilya Kovalchuk and Paul Martin also tallied.

Chris Kelly and Daniel Alfredsson scored as the Ottawa Senators consolidated fifth place in the Eastern Conference with a 2-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Elsewhere, the Nashville Predators' six-game winning streak came to an end as they fell 3-1 to the Dallas Stars and the Calgary Flames beat the Anaheim Ducks 3-1.

The Boston Bruins were 4-0 winners against the Atlanta Thrashers, David Booth scored twice in the Florida Panthers' 4-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Martin St Louis got the winner in overtime, his second of the game, to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.