Articles by Doug Stolhand

PHILADELPHIA – Danny Briere’s return to the NHL is going take longer than expected.The Philadelphia Flyers announced Wednesday that Briere will undergo an exploratory surgical procedure Thursday, putting the 31-year-old centre’s return into question.

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby expects to play in the NHL all-star game Sunday in Montreal despite having a sore left knee.

NEW YORK – San Jose Sharks forward Patrick Marleau and Dallas Stars defenceman Stephane Robidas have been added the NHL Western Conference all-star roster.

Results Tuesday:AHL Iowa 4 Rockford 3Milwaukee 4 Quad City 0ECHL No Games Scheduled.IHL No Games Scheduled.Central Tulsa 4 Rio Grande 3 (OT)QMJHL Drummondville 4 Lewiston 1 Gatineau 4 Rouyn-Noranda 3 (SO) OHL No Games Scheduled.

Scoring summaries from Tuesday’s NHL games:Canadiens 2 at Thrashers 4First Period1. Atlanta, Christensen 4 (Reasoner, Bogosian) 5:022. Atlanta, Thorburn 5 (Slater, Boulton) 6:26Penalty – Pacioretty Mtl (hooking) 19:15.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Joe Thornton set up Devin Setoguchi’s tying goal in regulation and Patrick Marleau’s overtime winner, and the San Jose Sharks celebrated Claude Lemieux’s return to the NHL after a 5 1/2-year absence with a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Enver Lisin’s speed is paying dividends for the Phoenix Coyotes.Lisin scored a pair of third-period goals and the Coyotes beat the Detroit Red Wings 6-3 on Tuesday night, their first home win against Detroit in almost five years.

Movements in the world of hockey Tuesday:National Hockey LeagueCHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Recalled D Niklas Hjalmarsson from Rockford (AHL).DALLAS STARS-Signed RW Colton Sceviour to a three-year contract.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Claude Lemieux returned to the NHL on Tuesday night after an absence of more than 5 1/2 years, suiting up for the San Jose Sharks against Vancouver.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Kyle Calder had a goal and an assist to help the Los Angeles Kings end a four-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night.

EDMONTON – Ales Hemsky had two goals and two assists, including the game winner with 34.9 seconds left to play, as the Edmonton Oilers went into the all-star break on a high note with a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.

OTTAWA – Brendan Bell’s power-play goal with 82 seconds remaining in regulation Tuesday night gave the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals in both teams’ final game before the all-star break.

PITTSBURGH – Cam Ward made 32 saves, Ray Whitney and Eric Staal scored and the Carolina Hurricanes beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Tuesday night.

ATLANTA – Rookie defenceman Zach Bogosian and Chris Thorburn each had a goal and an assist as the Atlanta Thrashers’ 4-2 beat the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK – Markus Naslund scored on a power play and set up Scott Gomez’s man-advantage goal in the third period that snapped a tie and lifted the New York Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night.

ATLANTA – All-star goaltender Carey Price returned Tuesday night for Montreal, replacing Jaroslav Halak early in the second period after the Canadiens fell behind 3-0 after facing 14 shots against the Atlanta Thrashers.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Rehabilitating Minnesota Wild defenceman Kurtis Foster hopes to play in a game within a month.Foster broke his left leg 10 months ago and has been working his way back since.

NEW YORK – New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro is out for the season because of continuing problems with a surgically repaired knee.The 27-year-old goalie has played only five games and won’t see any more action this season, the Islanders announced Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus Blue Jackets goaltending sensation Steve Mason will skip this weekend’s NHL YoungStars Game to rest his ailing back, general manager Scott Howson said Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio. – Goalie Pascal Leclaire of the Columbus Blue Jackets will undergo ankle surgery and is expected to be sidelined 10-to-12 weeks, the NHL club announced Tuesday.