Ronning Carries the Coyotes

Cliff Ronning scored midway through the third period to break a tie as the Phoenix Coyotes went on to beat the Red Wings, 5-3, Monday night at Detroit.

Ronning, who has 34 points in his last 36 games against Detroit, took a pass from Mike Gartner in the right corner and beat goaltender Chris Osgood for his fifth goal at 11:02.

Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3--Tomas Sandstrom’s second goal of the game broke a third-period tie at Pittsburgh and rookie goalie Patrick Lalime remained undefeated.

Lalime is 7-0-1. The Penguins’ Joe Mullen scored his first goal in 20 games this season, and it was his 496th NHL goal.

New York Rangers 3, Dallas 2--Wayne Gretzky scored two goals, including the game-winner with 1:16 remaining, as the visiting Rangers continued their hot streak with 13 victories in the last 16 games.

Gretzky deflected Niklas Sundstrom’s pass from the blue line past Star goaltender Andy Moog for his 16th goal. Ranger goaltender Mike Richter made 31 saves to remain unbeaten in December (10-0-1).

Toronto 2, New York Islanders 0--Jamie Baker and Mats Sundin scored in the last nine minutes at Toronto and Marcel Cousineau stopped 28 shots for his first NHL shutout as the Maple Leafs won their third consecutive game.