NHL roundup: Flames continue their climb in West race

CALGARY, Alberta — Rookie Mikael Backlund set up second-period goals by Nigel Dawes and Eric Nystrom, and the Calgary Flames held on to defeat the struggling San Jose Sharks 4-3 on Friday night.

Jarome Iginla and Daymond Langkow also scored for Calgary, which has won six of its last eight to get into the Western Conference playoff hunt.

Manny Malhotra, Dan Boyle and Dany Heatley had goals for the Sharks, who have lost four in a row in regulation. Their lead atop the Pacific Division has been cut to three points by the Phoenix Coyotes, with 11 games remaining for both. San Jose also remains tied with Chicago for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Backlund's two assists came two minutes apart as Calgary opened up a 4-1 lead in the second period, but it was his mistake that helped San Jose get back into it in a wild third period.

While attempting to shovel the puck against Miikka Kiprusoff for a stoppage, Backlund accidentally slid the puck under the Flames goalie and across the crease — where it was whacked into the empty net by Malhotra.

With the Sharks' Evgeni Nabokov pulled for an extra skater, Dan Boyle scored with 1:51 left to set up a wild finish.

The Flames entered the night one point behind Detroit for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Detroit lost in a shootout at Edmonton on Friday night.

Things have been especially bad for San Jose on the road of late. The Sharks have dropped six of their last seven away from home since an eight-game road winning streak.

BLUE JACKETS 4, WILD 2: At Columbus, Ohio, Rick Nash scored two third-period goals in his return from an injury that sidelined him four games, and the Blue Jackets overcame a two-goal deficit to hand Minnesota a costly loss.

The Wild came into the game in 11th place and six points behind eighth-place Detroit in the Western Conference playoff race. Instead of getting two points, they came away with none after blowing leads of 2-0 in the second period and 2-1 with less than 9 minutes left.

Nash's shootout-like goal came just 27 seconds after Kris Russell tied it. Nash, who was sidelined with a lower-body injury, added an empty-netter in the final minute. Kristian Huselius also scored for Columbus, which has won four of five.

Mikko Koivu and Chuck Kobasew had goals for the Wild, who have dropped two in a row after a three-game winning streak.