ATLANTA, 25 October 2003 — Red-hot Ilya Kovalchuk notched his seventh, eighth and ninth goals of the new campaign to give the Atlanta Thrashers a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Nashville Predators Thursday.

Kovalchuk’s third was into an empty net with a minute to play. JP Vigier also tallied for Atlanta, which has earned at least a point in every game this season. Nashville scored twice in the first five and a half minutes via Dan Hamhuis and Inuit Jordin Tootoo.

Hurricanes 2 Bruins 0

In Boston, the Carolina Hurricanes were boosted by an early goal as they overcame the Bruins 2-0. Number two draft pick Eric Staal claimed his first NHL goal two minutes into the contest before Jeff O’Neill added an insurance marker.

Senators 5 Capitals 1

In Ottawa, the Senators thumped the reeling Washington Capitals 5-1. The Caps are 0-5-1 since starting the season with a lopsided win over the New York Islanders.

Lightning 1 Blue Jackets 0

In Columbus, Vincent Lecavalier netted on a wraparound four minutes from time to give the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-0-0-0) a 1-0 victory over the Blue Jackets. The Lightning were deserving winners as they out-shot the Jackets 28-20.

Canadiens 3 Islanders 0

In Montreal, Yanic Perreault put the Canadiens on the board five and a half minutes into the game before Marcel Hossa and Andreas Dackell added second and third-period goals to earn the hosts a 3-0 triumph over the New York Islanders.

Avalanche 6 Oilers 1

In Denver, Peter Forsberg recorded his seventh career hat trick and Alex Tanguay collected four assists as the Colorado Avalanche thumped the Edmonton Oilers 6-1. After a scoreless first period, the Avs netted four times in the second, two by Forsberg.

Maple Leafs 5 Coyotes 4

In Scottsdale, Arizona, Nik Antropov, Joe Nieuwendyk and Ken Klee all scored in a 2:24 span midway through the second period as the Toronto Maple Leafs edged the Phoenix Coyotes 5-4. Owen Nolan added another goal later in the frame.

Sabres 5 Kings 1

In Los Angeles, Taylor Pyatt stroked two goals, the second into an empty net, as the struggling Buffalo Sabres upset the first-place Kings 5-1. Miroslav Satan, Chris Taylor and Curtis Brown also tallied for Buffalo (3-4-0).

Sharks 3 Blackhawks 3

In San Jose, Tom Preissing netted for the Sharks eight minutes into the final period to earn a 3-3 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks.