Yzerman Injured, But Wings Gain Tie

Martin Lapointe’s power-play goal midway through the third period gave Detroit a 4-4 tie with the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night in a game marred by an injury to Red Wings star Steve Yzerman.

The Coyotes, who failed to get a shot on goal during the five-minute overtime, were outshot 32-24 for the game, played in Detroit.

Yzerman was knocked out of the game 5:39 into the second after taking a knee from Rick Tocchet, recently suspended for a similar incident. The damage to Yzerman, who was helped off the ice, was announced in the press box as an injured left knee and a charley horse.

Claude Lemieux scored two goals and Peter Forsberg ended a mini-slump with a goal and three assists to lead the host Colorado Avalanche to a 6-1 win over the lastplace Vancouver Canucks.

Alex Hicks scored with 2:31 left in regulation to give the Pittsburgh Penguins a 2-2 tie at Washington, ending the Capitals’ five-game home winning streak.

In Uniondale, N.Y., Zigmund Palffy scored three goals as the New York Islanders beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1.

Hull set for return

Brett Hull returns to the St. Louis Blues tonight after missing a month with a broken hand, and not a moment too soon.

Heading into a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blues are in an 0-5-2 tailspin without their star right wing, mostly because they can’t put the puck in the net. That, of course, is Hull’s forte.

“I’m not going to tell you they’re no good without me because I don’t think it’s true,” Hull said.

Linden out indefinitely

Doctors confirmed that Vancouver Canucks forward Trevor Linden has a sprain on his left knee and will be off the ice indefinitely.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jim Carey underwent surgery on his right shoulder and will miss the rest of the season, the team said.

New York Rangers forward Alexei Kovalev underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and will be sidelined for three weeks, forcing him to miss the Winter Olympics.