Khabibulin Has It Easy

Phoenix goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin had to make only 28 saves Wednesday night to shut out the Red Wings, 3-0, at Detroit.

It was almost like having a game off after dealing with 55 shots in a 4-1 loss to Philadelphia the night before.

“I like to face a lot of shots,” said Khabibulin, who has stopped 107 of 111 shots fired at him in his last three games.

“I really think last night in Philadelphia helped me tonight. I was a little tired, but I felt comfortable.”

So did the rest of the Coyotes, who got goals from Darrin Shannon, Bob Corkum and Keith Tkachuk in extending Detroit’s home winless streak to six games (0-4-2).

The Red Wings, who weren’t shut out all last season in compiling the best record in the NHL, were blanked for the third time this season.

OTHER GAMES

Ron Hextall stopped 29 shots for Philadelphia, which extended its unbeaten road streak to 12 games by beating the Washington Capitals, 2-1. . . . Pierre Turgeon and Brett Hull each had a goal and an assist for St. Louis in a 4-0 win at Toronto. . . . Rob Ray and Mike Peca scored for the Sabres in the first period and they hung on to beat Pittsburgh, 3-1, at Buffalo. . . . Rookie Jay Pandolfo scored midway through the third period to give New Jersey a 1-1 tie with Ottawa at East Rutherford, N.J. . . . Curtis Joseph made 34 saves and stopped all 18 Shark shots over the final two periods in lifting the Oilers to their third victory in a row, 3-1, over San Jose at Edmonton.