NEW YORK, 26 February 2004 — Steve Begin scored with 40.2 seconds left in regulation time to lead the host Montreal Canadiens to a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators Tuesday. Begin broke a 2-2 tie before Joe Juneau followed up with an empty-net goal to hand the Canadiens their third win in four after ending a four-game losing streak.

Michael Ryder added two powerplay goals for the Canadiens while Jose Theodore made 17 saves. “It was a big win, especially against Ottawa,” Ryder told reporters. “Everyone just got excited.”

Martin Havlat notched his fifth goal in three games for the Senators, who lost in regulation for the first time in nine outings (6-0-1-2). Mike Fisher added his first goal of the season for Ottawa.

In Philadelphia, Sean Burke made 27 saves as the Flyers edged the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1. Alexei Zhamnov opened his goal account for the Flyers in his first game against his former team as Philadelphia moved to the top of the overall NHL standings with 82 points.

Tony Amonte, another former Blackhawk, also scored for the Flyers and Claude Lapointe added an empty-net marker, his first goal since Nov. 28.

Burke picked up his 302nd victory, moving past Mike Richter into a tie for 18th place on the all-time list with Turk Broda. Scott Nichol had the lone goal for the Hawks, who have lost three of their last four games.

In Vancouver, Daniel Sedin netted four times as the Canucks defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-2. Dan Cloutier made 28 saves for the Canucks. Henrik Zetterberg and Kris Draper scored powerplay goals for Detroit.

In Uniondale, Rick DiPietro made 28 saves and Felix Potvin stopped 33 shots as the New York Islanders and the Boston Bruins shared a 0-0 tie. Boston was shut out for the second straight night while the Islanders stayed unbeaten in nine home games (6-0-3).

In Denver, 26 saves by Miikka Kiprusoff helped the Calgary Flames blank the Colorado Avalanche 2-0. Martin Gelinas broke a scoreless tie with 2:19 remaining before Chris Clark added an empty-net goal.

Blues Sack Coach Quenneville

In St. Louis, Missouri, the St. Louis Blues, in danger of missing the NHL playoffs for the first time in 25 years, Tuesday fired coach Joel Quenneville.

The Blues have not missed the postseason since 1978-79 and are one point behind the Calgary Flames in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. St. Louis’ current run of postseason appearances is the longest in US professional sports.

It also is second-longest streak in NHL history behind the Boston Bruins, who made the playoffs in 29 straight seasons from 1968-96.