The Edmonton Oilers overcome the Calgary Flames for fourth successive win

The Edmonton Oilers enhanced their play-off credentials as they recorded a fourth successive win with a 4-1 victory against the Calgary Flames.

Goals from Taylor Hall, Justin Schultz, Ryan Jones and Nail Yakupov overwhelmed Calgary, whose strike came from Brian McGratton.

Edmonton stand ninth in the Western Conference, one point behind St Louis, who snapped their three-game losing streak with a 4-1 over the Minnesota Wild. Jaden Schwartz, Kevin Shattenkirk, Barret Jackman and Andy McDonald all netted for the Blues.

Andrew Desjardins, Joe Thornton and Logan Couture all netted in a three-minute spell as the San Jose Sharks racked up a fifth successive win, 3-2 over the Vancouver Canucks.

The Detroit Red Wings edged the Colorado Avalanche 3-2, and it took a shoot-out for the Chicago Blackhawks to register their own 3-2 success against the Nashville Predators.

The New York Rangers beat the Winnipeg Jets, aided by two goals from Derek Stepan, while the Islanders were 3-1 victors over the New Jersey Devils in Newark.

Max Pacioretty netted a double to guide the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-1 home ice win against the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Pacific Division's clear leaders the Anaheim Ducks blanked the Dallas Stars 4-0.