Kozlov, Thrashers extend Senators’ slide

Slava Kozlov’s hat trick helped the Atlanta Thrashers beat Ottawa 5-4 on Wednesday night, and hand the Senators their first five-game losing streak in 10 years.

Once again, the Senators couldn’t hold a lead. Goalie Martin Gerber continued to struggle as he fell to 2-6-1 while stopping only 26 of 31 shots. The Senators blew 3-1 and 4-2 advantages. It was the third straight game that Ottawa blew a lead.

Lightning 4, Penguins 3 (OT):

At Pittsburgh, Vincent LeCavalier’s goal 2:41 into overtime gave Tampa Bay a win over Pittsburgh.

Nils Ekman had a natural hat trick, scoring three straight goals late in the second period for Pittsburgh. The Penguins have gained at least a point in seven of their last eight games.

Rangers 4, Panthers 3 (SO): At Sunrise, Fla., Michael Nylander scored the only goal in the shootout to lead New York past Florida.

Martin Straka added two power-play goals for the Rangers.

Red Wings 3, Oilers 0: At Detroit, Dominik Hasek only had to stop 16 shots to earn his 70th career shutout and lift the Red Wings to a win over Edmonton.

Around the league

Toronto captain Mats Sundin will be sidelined 3-4 weeks because of a torn ligament in his right elbow, the second straight year he has been injured early in the season. … With forward Jeff Carter out six weeks with a broken ankle, the Philadelphia Flyers recalled Petr Nedved from the minors. … Detroit right wing Jason Williams was taken off the ice on a stretcher and left Joe Louis Arena in an ambulance in the second period of the Red Wings’ game against Edmonton. After Williams tried to score on a wraparound attempt midway through the period, the Oilers’ Raffi Torres leveled him with a hard shoulder check to the face. Williams landed on his face. He never lost consciousness. … The Aquilini Investment Group has entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining 50 percent of the Vancouver Canucks and GM Place arena from Seattle businessman John McCaw, the NHL team said.