February 19, 2004
NHL Roundup
We have a tie at the top of the Western Conference, and for that we can thank the Edmonton Oilers. Last night in Denver, Edmonton awoke from a season-long coma to rout the Colorado Avalanche 5-1. Ryan Smith had a goal and two assists, and Tommy Salo got the win in goal, though he only had to face 15 Colorado shots.
Back in Hockeytown, the Wings beat Phoenix 5-2, as Brett Hull scored the 263rd power play goal of his career, to tie the NHL record held by Tampa Bay's Dave Andreychuk. Kris Draper continued his surprising season, scoring twice. With the win, Detroit moved into a tie with Colorado for first place in the West, with 78 points.
Elsewhere in the West, Dallas cut into San Jose's lead in the Pacific, getting a 4-3 win over the Kings at home. Mike Modano scored twice. Meanwhile in Nashville, the Sharks got stomped 7-3 by the Predators, as new acquisition Steve Sullivan got a hat trick in his Nashville debut. Kimmo Timonen also scored twice for Nashville. Dallas trails San Jose by six in the Pacific. And there are signs of life in Anaheim, as the Ducks beat Columbus, 3-1.
Back East, the Islanders passed the Canadiens in the standings after a 4-3 win over the Penguins. Marius Czerkawski scored two power play goals for the Islanders. Up in Buffalo, las Panteras temporarily derailed the surging Sabres, forcing them to settle for a 1-1 tie. Roberto Luongo had 41 saves for Florida (back home in Broward County, the financial picture for the team is not so good). After the game, the Islanders sat in seventh with 66 points, Montreal two behind in eighth with 64, and Buffalo in ninth with 61.
To read more about the current travails of the Habs, check out Joe Tasca. To find out why the stretch run will be most brutal in Montreal, read the Rodent. To get an update on some bad news for the family of Jose Theodore, click here.
With five-time All-Star Peter Bondra traded to Ottawa, Washington Caps fans are in a rage -- at least on the team's message boards.
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07:28 AM