NEW YORK, 22 October 2003 — The New York Rangers picked up their first win of the season at the fifth attempt when they overcame the Florida Panthers 3-1 Monday.
Eric Lindros, Tom Poti and Petr Nedved, into an empty net, scored for the Rangers (1-2-2). But Lindros left the game early with an injured left shoulder.
New York’s Mike Dunham turned aside 34 of 35 shots, Niklas Hagman beating him early in the final period. The Rangers have failed to reach the playoffs for the last six seasons, the worst run in their 78-year history.
Islanders 5 Maple Leafs 2
At Long Island, the New York Islanders romped to a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, putting record-breaking netminder Ed Belfour out of the game 2:57 into the second period. The Isles beat Belfour four times, Mariusz Czerkawski tallying twice to take his total to five on the season. Captain Mike Peca completed the New York scoring late in the second period on a perfect feed from Shawn Bates.
Canadiens 2 Red Wings 1
In Montreal, the Canadiens collected second-period goals from Steve Begin and Richard Zednik in a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Mathieu Dandenault scored shorthanded for Detroit, also in the second. Red Wings netminder Dominik Hasek, now 3-2 on the season, faced 15 shots.
The Wings have sent goalie Curtis Joseph, who became expendable after Hasek was re-acquired, to Grand Rapids of the AHL.
The Canadiens (4-2) wore retro uniforms from the 1945-46 season.
Canucks 6 Sabres 1
In Vancouver, first-period goals by Daniel Sedin, Trevor Linden and Ed Jovanovski helped the Canucks to a 6-1 drubbing of the Buffalo Sabres. The Canucks recorded three more goals in the second period through Sami Salo, Jason King and Brendan Morrison.
