NHL: Vancouver 4, Phoenix 2

GLENDALE, Ariz., March 9 (UPI) -- A red-hot Jeff Cowan helped lift Vancouver to a 4-2 victory over Phoenix Thursday.

Cowan has six goals in the last four games. Against Phoenix, he scored the first of three team goals within a five-minute span in the first period, followed by scores from Brendan Morrison and Markus Naslund. Sami Salo added his 12th goal in the win.

The Canucks have won four straight and improved to 10-1-1 in their last 12 games overall.

Dany Sabourin gave All-Star starter Roberto Luongo a rest and stopped 26 shots for Vancouver, which sits atop the Northwest Division four points ahead of both Calgary and Minnesota.

Shane Doan and Jeff Taffe scored for Phoenix, which has dropped four straight games. Curtis Joseph allowed four goals on 30 shots in the losing effort.