The Colorado Avalanche needed a shoot-out but managed to extend their winning run at home to six straight NHL games with a 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

Ryan O'Reilly (2) and David Jones scored in regulation time for the Avalanche but goals from Dustin Byfuglien, Duncan Keith and Andrew Ladd meant Chicago could not be shaken off.

Chris Stewart's strike in the eighth round of the shoot-out proved decisive.

The New Jersey Devils made it four wins in a row, defeating the New York Islanders 2-1 with goals from Cory Murphy and Brian Rolston.

The Buffalo Sabres lost for the second time in three games, following their excellent start to the season, slipping up 5-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Daniel Carcillo scored the first and fifth goals for the Flyers, with Chris Pronger, James van Riemsdyk and Darroll Powe also on target.

The Washington Capitals were too strong for the Florida Panthers, Brendan Morrison netting twice in a 4-1 win, while Jason Blake hit the Toronto Maple Leafs' clincher in a 3-2 victory over the struggling Carolina Hurricanes.

The Vancouver Canucks suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road to the Dallas Stars, whose goals came from the sticks of Brad Richards and captain Brenden Morrow.