News

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – If the New York Islanders can score four goals in the first period regularly, it won’t matter much who is in net behind them.

TORONTO – That’s more like what Montreal Canadiens GM Bob Gainey had in mind when he assembled his team over the summer.
Newcomer Alex Tanguay had a goal and three assists Saturday as Montreal hammered the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 to register the first win of its centennial season.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – New York Islanders defenceman Radek Martinek left with an undisclosed injury in the first period, following a hard hit behind the net, and didn’t return to the home opener Saturday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Columbus Blue Jackets centre Michael Peca has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL for making contact with an on-ice official.

SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers defenceman Bryan McCabe is expected to miss two weeks because of a back injury sustained in Friday night’s season opener at Carolina.

PHILADELPHIA – To a mixture of boos and cheers, Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin dropped the ceremonial first puck at the Philadelphia Flyers’ home opener against the New York Rangers.

The Los Angeles Kings have come to terms with their franchise player, Anze Kopitar, on a seven-year deal.
Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

Bryan McCabe fell awkwardly into the boards Friday after colliding with Carolina’s Dennis Seidenberg, causing him to leave the game in the second period.

DALLAS – There were plenty of newcomers on the ice for the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the end, though, the franchise scoring leader came through again.

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis Blues’ decision to use five forwards on the power play looked like a stroke of genius in their opener.Keith Tkachuk scored two of St.

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:National Hockey LeagueVANCOUVER CANUCKS-Signed D Alex Edler to a four-year contract extension.American Hockey LeagueHARTFORD WOLF PACK-Signed F Brandon Sugden.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Ales Kotalik scored the only shootout goal the Sabres needed on Friday night, lifting Buffalo to a 2-1 win and spoiling the Montreal Canadiens’ start to their 100th season.

ATLANTA – Bryan Little had two goals, including the go-ahead score in the third period, and the Atlanta Thrashers beat the Washington Capitals 7-4 on Friday night.

TORONTO – Toronto Marlies coach Greg Gilbert was pleased with his team’s effort in its first game of the American Hockey League season – though he would have been happier with a win.

NEW YORK – Tom Renney’s night started with a rousing ovation at Madison Square Garden and ended with him standing at his post-game news conference after he couldn’t get his chair untangled from the table.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Joni Pitkanen and Dan LaCouture found the perfect way to fit in with their new Carolina teammates: Lead them to a season-opening victory over the team that kept them out of the playoffs.

NEWARK, N.J. – No matter what the New Jersey Devils do to change the team in the off-season, the face of the franchise remains Martin Brodeur.

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Tim Connolly missed the Sabres’ season-opener against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday because of a back injury, opening this season where the injury-plagued centre ended the last.

RENO, Nev. – An investigation into the shooting of former NHL goalie Clint Malarchuk concluded it was “accidental under suspicious circumstances.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – On the eve of the season opener, the Minnesota Wild were all but certain to miss their first goal. Marian Gaborik has begun the final year of his contract without an extension in place, a potential distraction both sides vowed to avoid.