Henrik Zetterberg netted in overtime as the Detroit Red Wings claimed a thrilling 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

Daniel Sedin's goal for Vancouver in the third period forced the extra period after the Red Wings had rallied from 2-0 down to take the lead.

The win sees Detroit move two points clear of the Calgary Flames in the race for the eighth and final play-off berth in the Western Conference, while the Northwest Division-leading Canucks remain third.

The Carolina Hurricanes also beat the buzzer in overtime as Jamie McBain's first NHL goal secured a last-gasp 3-2 win over the Atlantic Division-leading Pittsburgh Penguins.

Less than a second was left on the clock when McBain followed up to slot home after Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury had saved from Chad LaRose's shot.

Brad Richards scored twice as the Dallas Stars posted a 5-4 win over the Ottawa Senators, while Alex Ovechkin marked his return from suspension with a goal as overall league leaders the Washington Capitals beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1.

Colby Armstrong hit a double for the second game in a row as the Atlanta Thrashers moved to within a point of the final play-off berth in the Eastern Conference with a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller made 31 saves as the Sabres downed the Florida Panthers 3-1, while the Toronto Maple Leafs were 3-2 shootout winners over the Montreal Canadiens.

The Phoenix Coyotes also needed a shootout to prevail 5-4 over the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks to register their eighth straight win.

Cody Franson scored less than two minutes into overtime as the Nashville Predators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0, while there were also 1-0 wins for the Los Angeles Kings over the New York Islanders, and the St Louis Blues over the New Jersey Devils.