NEW YORK, 20 January 2004 — Randy Robitaille scored twice on power plays and Ilya Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists to lead the Atlanta Thrashers to their first win of 2004, a 5-2 decision over the host Carolina Hurricanes Sunday.
Daniel Tjarnqvist notched a third-period marker with the Thrashers two men short, helping his team break a nine-game winless streak. The Thrashers were victorious for the first time since Dec. 26 against Tampa Bay, ending an 0-5-1 start to the new year. Carolina won 4-3 in Atlanta Friday but Kovalchuk assisted on both Robitaille’s goals as the Thrashers took revenge.
Zdenek Blatny picked up the other goal for the Thrashers while Pasi Nurminen made 29 saves for Atlanta. Eric Staal grabbed a short-handed goal and Aaron Ward added a powerplay tally for the Hurricanes.
In Washington, Robert Lang produced one goal and three assists to pace the Capitals to a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jason Doig, Peter Bondra and Jeff Halpern also scored for the Capitals. Bondra added an assist, the day after he missed a game against New Jersey with the flu, as the Capitals earned a point for the fifth straight contest. Sergei Gonchar and Jaromir Jagr both chipped in with two assists for Washington, now five points up on the last-place Penguins in the Eastern Conference standings.
Olaf Kolzig made 22 saves in goal for the Capitals. Milan Kraft, Konstantin Koltsov and Drake Berehowsky replied for the Penguins, who lost their third game in a row.
In Chicago, Alexander Frolov netted the game-winner in the third period as the Los Angeles Kings edged the Blackhawks 2-1.
Derek Armstrong also scored to guide the Kings to their first victory in 15 games. Los Angeles had gone 0-3-9-2 since a 4-2 triumph over Edmonton Dec. 16.
In Columbus, Rick Nash recorded his league-leading 27th goal of the season to steer the Blue Jackets to a 4-4 tie with the Edmonton Oilers.
David Vyborny had a goal and two assists while Tyler Wright and Nikolai Zherdev also tallied for the Jackets.
Canadian NHL Defender Sidelined With Broken Foot
In Sunrise, Florida, Florida Panthers defenseman Jay Bouwmeester of Canada has a fractured left foot and could be out up to six weeks, the National Hockey League team announced here Sunday.
Bouwmeester, who has two goals and 14 assists this season, initially suffered the injury a week ago in a 2-2 draw at Vancouver. He played in discomfort for the next three games and tests following Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay revealed the fracture.
Philadelphia’s Desjardins Faces Long Spell Out With Fracture
In New York, the Philadelphia Flyers will be without defenseman Eric Desjardins up to eight weeks after he broke his right forearm during Saturday’s 4-0 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team said Sunday.
Desjardins, who will undergo surgery Tuestoday, collided with Jeremy Roenick during the first period as his teammate attempted to hit Toronto’s Mats Sundin in the corner.
The 34-year-old Desjardins immediately gripped his arm and left the game. The 16-year veteran has one goal and 11 assists in 45 outings this season. He has played 1,095 NHL games with the Flyers and the Montreal Canadiens.
