Pittsburgh’s Lemieux in good spirits
Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Craig Patrick knew owner-captain Mario Lemieux was feeling much better after yet another medical scare when he heard laughter in the team’s executive offices Thursday morning.
Lemieux, from his hospital bed, was text messaging club employees and, Patrick said, “I know everybody was chuckling every time they read one of them.”
Lemieux, whose oft-interrupted Hall of Fame career has included an uncommon sequence of medical misfortune, was released from a Pittsburgh hospital after being admitted less than 24 hours before with a rapid heartbeat. The condition, known as atrial fibrillation, is commonly treated with medication and is not expected to end his career or alter his life.
The 40-year-old Lemieux was “very happy, very relieved” upon hearing that his problem was not more serious, according to Patrick. Lemieux could be working out again within a week, after doctors determine how much medication he needs, and he could return to the ice soon.
“He’s started his medication already and it will solve his problem,” Patrick said. “He’s in great shape and great spirits. This has been something that has been lingering on and off and they finally figured out what it is.”
On the ice
Petr Prucha and Steve Rucchin each scored twice as the New York Rangers snapped Nashville’s four-game winning streak with a 5-1 win over the Predators in Nashville, Tenn.
New York, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 1997, is tied with Ottawa on top of the NHL standings with 44 points.
Oilers 3, Flyers 2: At Philadelphia, Ethan Moreau scored two short-handed goals to lead Edmonton to a win over Philadelphia.
Sabres 3, Mighty Ducks 2 (OT): At Buffalo, N.Y., Maxim Afinogenov scored 2:11 into overtime, and Thomas Vanek added a penalty-shot goal to rally Buffalo to a victory over Anaheim.
Blue Jackets 4, Islanders 3 (SO): At Columbus, Ohio, David Vyborny used a wrist shot to score the only goal in the shootout and lift Columbus over New York.
Wild 5, Penguins 0: At Pittsburgh, Marian Gaborik stole the puck from Pittsburgh forward Shane Endicott and scored barely a minute into the game, setting the tone for Minnesota’s rout of the Penguins.
Lightning 5, Blues 4: At Tampa, Fla., John Grahame tied a Lightning record with his eighth consecutive win, and Martin St. Louis scored a tiebreaking goal with 6:30 left in Tampa Bay’s win over St. Louis.
Sharks 6, Panthers 2: At San Jose, Calif., Patrick Marleau had his fourth straight three-point game and Mark Smith scored two goals as San Jose beat Florida.
Hurricanes 3, Kings 2: At Los Angeles, Erik Cole snapped a 13-game goal drought by scoring twice, and Martin Gerber made 35 saves to lead Carolina past Los Angeles.
Around the league
Boston forward Sergei Samsonov, his hands and fingers numb and tingling, resumed practicing and is expected to play Sunday against Phoenix. Doctors had no explanation for his condition. … Columbus activated new captain Adam Foote and center Manny Malhotra from the injured list. … San Jose reassigned goalie Nolan Schaefer to Cleveland of the AHL. … Los Angeles forward Valeri Bure is expected to be sidelined at least eight more weeks after he undergoes surgery to alleviate lower back pain.