News

Pittsburgh Penguins tough guy Paul Bissonnette is ready to go with anyone in the NHL, and his four fights in three pre-season games helps prove the point.

DETROIT – Detroit Red Wings defenceman Chris Chelios will be sidelined three to six weeks with a fractured shin bone.The 46-year-old Chelios is the NHL’s oldest player.

HELSINKI, Finland – Sidney Crosby set up three goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 win over Finnish club Jokerit in a pre-season game Thursday.

TORONTO – No one is expecting the Toronto Maple Leafs to compete for the Stanley Cup this year, which is ultimately what makes this season so different from any other during the past decade.

VANCOUVER – After being retooled from the front office all the way down to the fourth line, the Canucks will have a different look this NHL season.

MONTREAL – There is a giddy feeling of anticipation among Montreal Canadiens fans this season that goes beyond the team’s 100th anniversary celebrations.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Chris Pronger scored his first two goals of the pre-season, including the game-winner 3:04 into overtime, giving the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.

VANCOUVER – Jannik Hansen scored two goals as the Vancouver Canucks clobbered the Calgary Flames 6-1 in NHL pre-season action Wednesday night.

DENVER – Ryan Smyth, T.J. Hensick and David Jones each scored for Colorado, and the Avalanche beat the Dallas Stars 3-1 in a pre-season game Wednesday night.

ST. LOUIS – Lee Stempniak had two goals and an assist and the St. Louis Blues chased Curtis Joseph with six goals on their first 12 shots in a 7-3 pre-season victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night.

Movements in the world of hockey Wednesday:National Hockey LeagueBUFFALO SABRES-Claimed LW Matt Ellis off waivers from Los Angeles.CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Assigned F Evan Brophey, F Petri Kontiola and F Pascal Pelletier to Rockford (AHL).

MONTREAL – Montreal Canadiens rookie hopefuls Max Pacioretty and Yannick Weber survived another round of cuts Wednesday night as the club sent forwards Ben Maxwell, Gregory Stewart and Matt D’Agostini to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL.

MONTREAL – Patrice Brisebois had a goal and an assist and the Montreal Canadiens scored three power-play goals in the second period to beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 in NHL exhibition action Wednesday.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Owen Nolan and Antti Miettinen scored their first goals of the pre-season and the Minnesota Wild built an early lead and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday night.

MONTREAL – Patrice Brisebois had a goal and two assists and the Montreal Canadiens scored three power-play goals in the second period to beat the Boston Bruins 3-1 in NHL exhibition action Wednesday.

ATLANTA – Mikael Samuelsson scored two power-play goals and had an assist to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 pre-season victory over the Atlanta Thrashers on Wednesday night.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Martin Brodeur stopped 16 shots, and Zach Parise, Patrick Elias and Anssi Salmella each scored in the New Jersey Devils’ 3-0 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night in a pre-season game.

PHILADELPHIA – Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist and the Philadelphia Flyers handed the Washington Capitals their first pre-season defeat, 2-1 on Wednesday night.

BELLEVILLE, Ont. – Matthew Tipoff and Eric Tangradi each scored two goals as the Belleville Bulls beat the Kingston Frontenacs 6-2 in Ontario Hockey League action Wednesday.

PITTSBURGH – Sidney Crosby understood the Pittsburgh Penguins wouldn’t begin this season with the same team that finished two victories away from winning the Stanley Cup only 17 weeks ago.