SUNSHINE, Florida, 9 November 2003 — The Florida Panthers produced a four-goal blitz in the last 15 minutes to thump the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Friday.

Stephen Weiss, Valeri Bure, Mike Van Ryn and Olli Jokinen tallied for Florida in the third period. Bure also notched the game’s opening goal. Milan Kraft scored twice for the struggling Penguins, who are next-to-last in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers out-shot Pittsburgh 46-21.

Blue Jackets 4 Thrashers 2

In Columbus, David Vyborny’s hat trick and a single goal from Geoff Sanderson steered the Blue Jackets to a 4-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers. Vyborny’s third goal was into an empty net in the final minute as the Blue Jackets secured their first win in eight outings. Ronald Petrovicky and Patrik Stefan replied for Atlanta.

Devils 1 Maple Leafs 1

In East Rutherford, former Toronto netminder Corey Schwab stopped all but one of 28 shots as the New Jersey Devils and the Maple Leafs skated to a 1-1 tie.

Eddie Belfour turned aside 21 shots in the Toronto net. Jamie Langenbrunner netted his fifth goal of the season for the Devils. Gary Roberts scored late for Toronto to force overtime.

Sabres 2 Canadiens 1

In Buffalo, the Montreal Canadiens had most of the play but it was the Sabres who scrambled a 2-1 victory. Montreal out-shot Buffalo 37-17 but only Donald Audette could beat Sabres goalie Mika Noronen.

Daniel Briere and Ales Kotalik notched second-period goals for Buffalo, which is 5-2-1 in its last eight outings. Montreal has dropped six of seven games.

Blackhawks 2 Predators 1

In Nashville, Steve Poapst scored the game-winner with a minute to play as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Predators 2-1. Bryan Berard put Chicago on the board before Scott Hartnell replied late for Nashville to deny Jocelyn Thibault a shutout.

Wild 3 Flames 0

In Calgary, goals from Marc Chouinard, Richard Park and Pascal Dupuis helped the Minnesota Wild coast to a 3-0 win over the Flames. Dupuis also collected an assist.

Dwayne Roloson turned aside 34 Calgary shots for the shutout.