Rangers spoil Leetch’s return, beat Bruins
It wasn’t odd that a Rangers defenseman had a three-point game. It was just strange that Michal Rozsival was the offensive force on the night Brian Leetch came back to Broadway.
Rozsival had a goal and a season-high two assists to lead New York to a 5-2 victory over Boston that spoiled Leetch’s return to Madison Square Garden on Wednesday in New York.
Leetch, the highest-scoring defenseman in Rangers history, played against his former team for the first time in his 18 NHL seasons. He was with New York from 1988-2004 before being traded to Toronto, and received a warm welcome.
After a brief pregame tribute, the rest of the night was quite a downer for Leetch, who was on the ice for two New York goals.
“I skated around in a fog out there,” Leetch said in the visitors’ locker room that he never entered before Monday. “Unfortunately, it showed and our team played that way, too.
“It’s hard to play a hockey game when your mind is like that.”
Thrashers 5, Sabres 0: At Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen stopped 20 shots for his second shutout of the season as Atlanta stayed close in the playoff race with a win over Buffalo.
The Thrashers remain one point behind eighth-place Montreal in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
•Sabres coach Lindy Ruff was in Buffalo for his daughter’s doctor’s appointment and missed Buffalo’s loss to Atlanta. Assistant coaches directed the team.
Ruff recently revealed his 11-year-old daughter, Madeleine, was diagnosed with an unidentified mass on her brain. Ruff said he may have to miss more practices and games to be with his daughter.
Canadiens 4, Capitals 2: At Washington, Michael Komisarek got his first career goal as Montreal scored three times in just over 2 minutes in the second period to snap a three-game losing streak with a win over Washington.
Panthers 6, Lightning 5 (OT): At Sunrise, Fla., Olli Jokinen scored on a breakaway with 1:44 left in overtime, lifting Florida to a win over Tampa Bay.
Predators 4, Blues 2: At Nashville, Tenn., Scott Nichol scored twice as Nashville completed a perfect four-game homestand by beating St. Louis.
Mighty Ducks 2, Stars 1: At Dallas, Samuel Pahlsson scored the game winner with 3:15 remaining as Anaheim ended Dallas’ eight-game home win streak.
Avalanche 5, Kings 0: Joe Sakic had two goals and two assists as Colorado defeated Los Angeles.
NHL, officials reach deal
The NHL announced a new four-year labor agreement with the league’s on-ice officials. Referees and linesman ratified the extension Friday.
The deal was originally agreed to in late December but needed to be passed by both sides. Last month, the NHL’s board of governors unanimously voted in its favor.