Flyers Can’t Stop Florida
Scott Mellanby dismissed his 200th NHL goal as just another contribution to the unbeaten Florida Panthers.
“It’s a big boost to play this well this early,” said Mellanby, a major factor in Florida’s 7-0-3 start. “I think most people believe in us now.”
The Panthers, who reached the Stanley Cup final last season in just their third year in the league, beat the host Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Sunday night for their longest unbeaten streak ever.
“It’s tough to play perfect, but we’re probably close,” said Panthers coach Doug MacLean, who watched his team move seven points ahead of the Flyers, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division.
Mellanby, who had 73 goals in six seasons with the Flyers before moving on to Edmonton and then Florida, leads the Panthers in scoring with 11 points on four goals and seven assists.
The right wing opened the scoring at 29 seconds of the second period, punching the puck past Ron Hextall after Johan Garplenov intercepted Karl Dykhuis’ botched clearing attempt.
“Our downfall has been that we keep getting behind early, then we have to fight back, but we don’t seem to have enough,” Philadelphia’s Shjon Podein said.
Philadelphia, coming off a 6-5 loss to the Montreal Canadians on Saturday night, fell short in its bid to rally against the Panthers.
“I think as we entered the last part of the first period and then into the second period, fatigue started to be a part of the game,” Flyers coach Terry Murray said. “That’s the way things are the way the schedule is set up. You have a team here being fresh and watching a team on TV.”
Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who had allowed less than a goal a game before the Rangers scored four times Friday night, faced 23 shots, but only 12 in the first two periods.
Gretzky heats up
Wayne Gretzky had his most productive game with New York, scoring a goal and adding three assists to help the Rangers end a three-game losing streak with a 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
After going scoreless in his first game with the Rangers, Gretzky has points in a league-high 11 straight games, getting five goals and 12 assists.
Owen Nolan scored his ninth career hat trick, including two goals during San Jose’s five-goal first period, leading the Sharks to a 6-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.
Dave Gagner scored two goals on deflections, the first snapping a 1-1 tie in the second period, as streaking Calgary sent host Anaheim to its seventh straight loss 4-1.
Broten sent packing
New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello told Neal Broten this week that he had 24 hours to make a trade for himself or he would be released.
Broten’s brother and agent, Aaron Broten, could not make a deal, and Neal was sent packing.
“He did not show the enthusiasm or excitement that needed to be shown,” Lamoriello said.
This goes back to last season. Management didn’t like it when Broten skipped an impromptu practice after the All-Star game last season.
Broten, separated from his family by the 1995 trade from Dallas to the Devils, refused to change plans for a family vacation and missed the practice, resulting in a teamimposed suspension. It didn’t help that instead of being mad at him for skipping practice, Broten’s teammates respected him so much they rallied around him when he bucked the team.
“Maybe I wasn’t showing the spirit and life I had in the past,” Broten told New Jersey reporters. “Lamoriello must have seen something he didn’t like, although I think it goes deeper than that. I still think I can help this team, but I can’t say any more. I might hurt some feelings.”
On the ice
With 543 goals, the Rangers’ Mark Messier is one shy of Maurice “Rocket” Richard for 14th place on the career list. … John LeClair has scored nine goals in eight games against the Canadiens since Montreal traded him to Philadelphia on Feb. 9, 1995. … Dallas goalie Andy Moog overtook Turk Broda for 12th place in games played by a goalie with 629 Saturday. Moog is one victory short of tying Harry Lumley for seventh place in wins.