News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Devin Setoguchi had a power-play goal and an assist to help the San Jose Sharks beat the Nashville Predators 4-1 Monday night.

TORONTO – Nearly a quarter of the way through the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have played better than many expected.That’s even more surprising when you consider that their starting goaltender has not.

NEW YORK – The New York Rangers are always confident heading into a shootout, knowing Henrik Lundqvist gives them an excellent chance to win.

DETROIT – The last few days have been pretty good for Ty Conklin.The Detroit Red Wings backup goaltender has started and won two consecutive games, sandwiched around the birth of his third child.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Roberto Luongo made 34 saves against the team that let him get away, but couldn’t stop Frans Nielsen in a shootout as the New York Islanders beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 Monday night for their season-best third straight victory.

DENVER – Paul Stastny has signed a US$33-million, five-year contract extension with the Colorado Avalanche, the club reported Monday.The contract starts next season and runs through 2013-14, and will pay the 22-year-old centre an average of $6.

The Colorado Avalanche have locked up their young star to a long-term extension.
The Avs announced they signed Paul Stastny to a five-year deal that will kick in for the 2009-10 season.

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis centre Andy McDonald will miss a minimum of six weeks after breaking his left ankle during a 3-2 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Sunday.

KINGSTON, Ont. – Doug Gilmour is headed back to his hometown, leaving the Toronto Maple Leafs organization to become head coach of the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs.

PITTSBURGH – Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will miss Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota because of an undisclosed injury.”It’s not a major injury,” coach Michel Therrien said Monday.

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom was named the NHL’s first star of the week Monday after posting two goals and nine assists in four games.

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – While it is the dream of every hockey player to play in the NHL, Canadian Paul Deniset is playing it smart – literally.

Movements in the world of hockey:National Hockey LeagueANAHEIM DUCKS-Recalled RW Bobby Ryan and D Brett Festerling from Iowa (AHL).CAROLINA HURRICANES-Assigned F Patrick Dwyer to Albany (AHL).

Scoring summaries from Sunday’s NHL games:Canadiens 3 at Blues 2 (SO)First Period1. St. Louis, Regier 1 (Janssen, Paddock) 3:48Penalties – Markov Mtl (tripping) 0:38, Boyes StL (tripping) 1:32, Lang Mtl (hooking) 4:12, Backes StL (interference) 11:01, McDonald StL (holding) 15:49, Kovalev Mtl (holding) 16:38.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Jonas Hiller made 29 saves for his first NHL shutout and the Anaheim Ducks got goals from Corey Perry and defenceman Bret Hedican to beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-0 on Sunday night.

PHILADELPHIA – Joffrey Lupul scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, Antero Niittymaki made 29 saves to remain perfect against Atlanta and the Flyers snapped the Thrashers’ five-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory Sunday night.

CHICAGO – Devin Setoguchi’s power-play goal with 4:15 left gave the San Jose Sharks a 6-5 victory over Chicago on Sunday night, the Blackhawks’ first home loss in regulation this season.

ST. LOUIS – Alexei Kovalev scored the lone shootout goal to give the Montreal Canadiens a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Rick Tocchet lost his debut as Tampa Bay Lightning coach when Tuomo Ruutu and Rod Brind’Amour scored in the shootout and Cam Ward stopped two shots in the tiebreaker to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 3-2 victory Sunday.

FRISCO, Tex. – Darryl Sydor is going back for a third stint with the Dallas Stars.The Stars acquired the defenceman on Sunday from the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenceman Philippe Boucher.