Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Capitals 4, Sabres 3
WASHINGTON -- Dainius Zubrus had a goal and an assist in his return from the injured list as the Washington Capitals extended Buffalo's losing streak to six games with a victory. Jaromir Jagr broke a 2-2 tie early in the third period, and Mike Grier and Ivan Ciernik also scored for Washington -- 5-0-1-1 in its last seven games.
Devils 1, Bruins 0
BOSTON -- Martin Brodeur made 33 saves in recording his fourth shutout of the season as New Jersey beat Boston. He is 17th on the NHL career list with 59 shutouts. Jay Pandolfo scored the only goal at 16:13 of the first period when John Madden's shot deflected off of Pandolfo's skate and beat John Grahame.
Islanders 2, Panthers 1, OT
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Roman Hamrlik scored his second goal of the game with 56.9 seconds left in overtime to give New York a victory over Florida. The Islanders have won three straight, all at home. They took all seven shots in overtime to move within one game of .500 (15-16-5-0). Chris Osgood stopped 24 shots.
Blackhawks 2, Kings 0
LOS ANGELES -- Jocelyn Thibault made 33 saves in his 32nd career shutout as Chicago beat Los Angeles. Thibault stopped all 18 shots he faced in the first period in helping the Blackhawks extend their unbeaten streak to six games. Steve Sullivan and Nathan Dempsey scored for the Blackhawks.
Sharks 2, Flyers 1
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Rookie Jonathan Cheechoo scored the go-ahead goal from an improbable angle early in the third period, and Evgeni Nabokov made 24 saves in San Jose's victory over Philadelphia. After scoring just twice in his first 19 NHL games, Cheechoo has scored key third-period goals in the Sharks' last two games.
Coyotes 4, Oilers 3, OT
PHOENIX -- Daymond Langkow scored late in regulation and again in overtime as Phoenix beat Edmonton. Sean Burke made 31 saves to win for the second time in two games since his return from an ankle sprain. Burke, who missed 29 games, shut out Philadelphia on Saturday.
Predators 3, Senators 2
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Bill Houlder snapped a third-period tie with his first goal in 145 games and lifted Nashville over Ottawa. Denis Arkhipov and Andy Delmore also scored for the Predators. Houlder's game-winner came in his 200th consecutive game. Ottawa was unbeaten in six games (5-0-1) and had won nine times in 11 games (9-1-1).
Associated Press