Gretzky Scores To Cap Rangers’ Comeback Win

Wayne Gretzky’s goal at 9:17 of the third period capped a three-goal comeback as the New York Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 Friday.

New York tied it on a penalty shot by Mike Keane, who was pulled down from behind by David Shaw on a breakaway. Keane scored the first penalty shot of his career when he faked left, then put the puck on his forehand and past the leg of Corey Schwab.

The Rangers, who like the Lightning had won only two of their first 10 games, were booed by their fans at the end of the first period when they trailed 1-0, and again in the second after falling behind 3-1.

But those boos turned to cheers when Pat LaFontaine, Keane and Gretzky scored to give the Rangers their first victory over the Lightning in eight games. Tampa Bay had beaten New York seven straight times.

Gretzky broke the tie with a shot from the deep slot with a shot past a screened Schwab.

The Lightning, 0-6-1 in their last seven, played the game under the continuing speculation that coach Terry Crisp would be fired. Lightning general manager Phil Esposito said in a television interview before the game that Crisp’s job was safe - for now.

“If we wanted to fire him, we would have done it already,” Esposito said.

In other games

Ed Belfour returned to Chicago for the first time since being traded away last season and shut out his former teammates for the second time this season, stopping 22 shots in the Dallas Stars’ 2-0 victory over the Blackhawks. Belfour has three shutouts this season and 34 in his career.

Adam Deadmarsh scored with 16 seconds left in regulation as the host Colorado Avalanche tied the Carolina Hurricanes 3-3 to remain unbeaten in six home games.

Colorado goalie Patrick Roy started the play that led to Deadmarsh’s goal, making a save and delivering the puck to Peter Forsberg before leaving the ice for a sixth attacker. After the puck was dumped in the zone, Forsberg skated it down and got it to Deadmarsh, who lifted it over Sean Burke.

A third-period power-play goal by defenseman Dan McGillis enabled the host Edmonton Oilers to snap the Pittsburgh Penguins’ six-game unbeaten streak with a 4-3 victory.

Oilers reportedly to stay in Edmonton

The financially troubled Edmonton Oilers have been sold to the owner of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, according to a published report.

Rockets owner Les Alexander bought the team from Oilers owner Peter Pocklington for $85 million, the Edmonton Journal reported, citing unidentified sources. Alexander met with Pocklington in Denver on Wednesday and is expected to be in Edmonton today to complete the sale.

As part of the agreement, the 19-year-old NHL franchise must remain in Edmonton for at least three years. If the team makes money during that time, it would be sold to local investors who could keep it in Edmonton, the Journal reported. Houston would then receive an expansion team. If not, the Oilers would move to Houston, the paper said.

The sale must still be ratified by Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith, the city council and the NHL’s Board of Governors.

A spokeswoman for Smith’s office said the mayor called the report “media speculation.”

The NHL said no announcement is planned.

Slapshots

Phoenix Coyotes left wing Darrin Shannon will be out four to six weeks after breaking a bone in his hand. … Restricted free agent Bill Guerin will train with the U.S. National Program while he waits for the New Jersey Devils to trade him.