Panthers Power Way To Win

Rob Niedermayer scored two goals, including the game-winner on a power play 1:53 into overtime, lifting the host Florida Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils Thursday.

The win was only the fifth in 22 games at home for the Panthers. They wore their red road uniforms for the first time at home this season in a bid to turn things around.

Niedermayer’s second goal came after a shot by Ray Whitney was stopped by Richard Shulmistra, who was making his NHL debut. Whitney, a former Spokane Chiefs star, earned assists on both Panthers goals.

Shulmistra, who was called up from Albany where he was 9-0-1, made 26 saves. The Devils started Shulmistra in goal because of illness and injury to their other goalies.

Niedermayer’s game-winner came 38 seconds after Doug Gilmour was penalized for holding. Niedermayer, who has missed 25 games this season with a concussion and a thumb injury, missed practice Wednesday with a sore knee.

Florida, which is undefeated (3-0-1) in its last four games, tied it on Niedermayer’s first goal, on a pass from Whitney.

Whitney dug the puck out from behind the net and sent it to Niedermayer at the edge of the crease, where Niedermayer poked it past Shulmistra.

Other games

In Washington, Adam Oates scored on a breakaway with 31.4 seconds left to give the Capitals a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The victory stopped the Mighty Ducks’ five-game unbeaten streak against Washington, which rallied from a 2-0 deficit.

The Capitals now have won two in a row following a 1-5-4 streak.

Pavel Trnka gave Anaheim a 1-0 first-period lead with his first NHL goal.

In Boston, Damian Rhodes stopped 24 shots for the Ottawa Senators, and Byron Dafoe turned away 27 for the Bruins as the teams skated to a 0-0 overtime tie.

Nedved waivers dispute

The Pittsburgh Penguins may not be able to re-sign holdout center Petr Nedved until he clears NHL waivers or the season ends.

Penguins general manager Craig Patrick was prepared to make a new offer until he learned Nedved apparently played four games in a lower-tier league in his native Czech Republic.

Under NHL rules, a player who competes outside North America after the league’s regular season starts must clear waivers before he can return. The Penguins have asked for a ruling.

Sabres sale agreement

John Rigas is ready to acquire control of the Buffalo Sabres with the signing of an agreement between the cable television station owner and the team’s current chairman, Northrup Knox.

The transfer is designed to stabilize the NHL franchise’s finances and reward investors, a statement by Rigas and Knox said. It is subject to approval by the NHL’s Board of Directors, Sabres lenders and partners.

With the closing of the deal, expected in February, the Knox family would give up control of the team it has owned for 28 years.