NHL-Knuble hat-trick leads Flyers past slumping Ducks

PHILADELPHIA, Feb 2 (Reuters) - The Philadelphia Flyers handed Stanley Cup champions the Anaheim Ducks a 3-0 defeat on Saturday, their sixth successive loss, with Mike Knuble scoring all three goals for his first career hat-trick.

Philadelphia goalie Martin Biron made 27 saves for his third shutout of the year and the 21st of his career.

Knuble and his two linemates were assigned to check Anaheim's top-scoring line and did that to perfection.

Knuble, who has scored as many as 34 goals in an NHL season, registered the first hat trick of his 700-game league career.

"This is my first one, including 140 games in the minors," Knuble told reporters. "This is my first at the entire pro level. Also, to come against Anaheim is even crazier."

Not these days. The Ducks, whose losing streak came after an 8-0-1 run, were shut out for the second successive night and have now gone the last seven periods, plus a five-minute overtime in St. Louis on Friday, without a goal.

They have not scored in over 155 minutes of hockey.

"We just can't find a way to generate offense, even when we have glorious opportunities," said coach Randy Carlyle.

The Ducks will soon get high-scoring winger Teemu Selanne back in the lineup and can use his firepower.

Selanne has sat out to this point in the season while considering retirement. He is expected back next week.

* The high-flying Detroit Red Wings scored their 40th win in 54 games with a 3-1 road triumph over the Boston Bruins. The Wings trailed 1-0 after the first period but then took the game over en route to their seventh consecutive victory. It is their third streak of at least seven wins this season.

* The Minnesota Wild registered a 4-1 road victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, with Marian Gaborik scoring twice and Brian Ralston on target for the fifth game in a row.

* Evgeni Malkin, who has been in impressive form since Sidney Crosby went down with an ankle injury, had a goal and two assists in a four-goal third period that lifted the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 home win over the Carolina Hurricanes.

* Jeremy Roenick's shootout score was the difference when the San Jose Sharks opened a six-game home stand with a 3-2 decision over the Chicago Blackhawks. San Jose have beat Chicago 10 consecutive times.

* The Colorado Avalanche got two goals each from T.J. Hensick and Ben Guite to record a 6-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

* The Montreal Canadiens beat the visiting New York Islanders 4-1 to go to 6-1-1 in their last eight games as Alex Kovalev had a goal and an assist.

* Defenseman Colin White scored his first goal in 126 games and the 16th of his 497-game NHL career to help the New Jersey Devils to a 6-3 home win over the last-place Los Angeles Kings.

* Kari Lehtonen made 36 saves for his third shutout of the season and the Atlanta Thrashers produced a 2-0 victory despite having just 13 shots on goal. (Writing by Mike Shalin in Boston; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)