Shorthanded Maple Leafs pull out win
Playing without their starting goalie and one of their best forwards because of injuries, the Toronto Maple Leafs ended a slump by regaining their scoring touch on the power play.
Tomas Kaberle and Alex Steen scored power-play goals, and the Maple Leafs snapped a three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Monday night in Toronto.
“It’s frustrating for sure, but we got two (points) tonight and we’re happy about it,” Kaberle said.
Kyle Wellwood also scored for the Maple Leafs, whose dominant power play struggled in recent games as they lost four of five before playing Anaheim.
Toronto went 2 for 6 with the man advantage, compared to 0 for 8 for Anaheim.
The Maple Leafs won despite missing goalie Ed Belfour and center Eric Lindros. Toronto coach Pat Quinn said Belfour has a sore groin and Lindros a ligament tear in his wrist.
Quinn hopes Lindros will play in their next game, Saturday in Ottawa.
Senators 6, Avalanche 2: At Denver, Dany Heatley scored the go-ahead goal in the third period and added two assists as Ottawa scored four times in the final period to knock off Colorado.
Red Wings 3, Penguins 1: At Detroit, Henrik Zetterberg scored twice for the second straight game to lead Detroit past Pittsburgh. Nicklas Lidstrom gave the Red Wings a three-goal lead in the third period and Chris Osgood had to make just 16 saves to help Detroit win its third straight.
Fischer thankful, but also uncertain
Grateful he’s still alive, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer doesn’t know if he will play hockey again.
Fischer spoke to the media, his first comments since collapsing in convulsions on the bench during a game against Nashville last month.
“I’m really, really glad to be here,” said Fischer, who was often overcome by emotion during the news conference. “Not too many people get a second chance like I did.”
Clearly, Fischer wants to get back on the ice eventually.
“I don’t foresee myself coming back in the next couple weeks,” Fischer said. “But this is what I know, what I’ve worked for my whole life. I don’t want it to be taken away.”
“Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman is expected to be sidelined two to four weeks because of a groin injury.
Blues waive Lalime
Goaltender Patrick Lalime’s terrible numbers cost him his job, and he was waived by the St. Louis Blues.
The 31-year-old Lalime was let go two days after yet another poor performance in a 5-4 loss to the Rangers.
He has struggled all season for the team with the NHL’s worst record, going 3-11-4 with a 3.97 goals-against average – 40th among 42 goalies. His .866 save percentage is the lowest of any goalie with 15 or more games played.