Eastern Conference leaders the Washington Capitals beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 thanks to Mike Knuble's shootout goal.

Jordan Staal scored for reigning Stanley Cup champions Pittsburgh with a little over three minutes remaining to force overtime after Eric Fehr had given Washington the lead.

The Buffalo Sabres scored twice in the final two minutes of regulation before shootout goals from Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek gave them a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Tim Connolly and Steve Montador were the men who got the goals for Buffalo in regulation, cancelling out an earlier double from Andrei Kostitsyn.

There was also a shootout victory for the Colorado Avalanche, 4-3 over the Los Angeles Kings.

Elsewhere, the Detroit Red Wings beat Calgary 4-2 putting them four points clear of the Blues in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Vancouver Canucks beat the Anaheim Ducks 4-1 and two goals and an assist from Marian Gaborik helped the New York Rangers to a 5-0 win over the New York Islanders.