NEW YORK, 6 November 2003 — Mark Messier scored two goals to leapfrog Gordie Howe into second place on the NHL career points list and lead the New York Rangers to a 3-0 blanking of the Dallas Stars Tuesday.
Messier, 42, tied Howe with a second-period goal before passing him with an empty-net marker with 4.7 seconds left in regulation time.
The Rangers center has 1,851 points, one more than former Detroit Red Wings favorite Howe. Wayne Gretzky leads the all-time list with 2,857 points.
“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Gordie,” Messier told reporters.
“My dad (Doug) was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings back in the 1950s and early 1960s. He attended some training camps, he played with Gordie in some exhibition games, so he had a first-hand account of Gordie as a hockey player.
“Gordie Howe in our household was a really well-respected hockey player as well as a person.” Matthew Barnaby netted the other goal for the Rangers. Jussi Markkanen made 33 saves to pick up the shutout.
Capitals 5 Lightning 1
In Tampa, Dainius Zubrus tallied twice and Robert Lang had a goal and two assists to earn the Washington Capitals a 5-1 win which handed the Lightning their first loss of the season.
Olaf Kolzig made 41 saves for the Capitals. Jaromir Jagr and Jeff Halpern scored the other Washington goals.
Oilers 4 Canadiens 2
In Montreal, Peter Sarno scored in his NHL debut as the Edmonton Oilers beat the Canadiens 4-2. Cory Cross, Fernando Pisani and Raffi Torres also tallied for the Oilers while Marty Reasoner had two assists.
Sheldon Souray hit both Montreal goals.
Maple Leafs 4 Penguins 2
In Toronto, Bryan McCabe had a goal and an assist as the Maple Leafs edged the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were without Mario Lemieux, 4-2. Owen Nolan added two assists while Aki Berg, Darcy Tucker and Robert Reichel recorded the other Toronto goals.
Blues 2 Mighty Ducks 1 (OT)
In St. Louis, Keith Tkachuk tallied with 31 seconds left in overtime to steer the Blues past the Anaheim Mighty Ducks 2-1.
Doug Weight scored with less than six minutes to go in regulation for the Blues before Tkachuk netted on a three-on-one.
Red Wings 3 Flames 0
In Calgary, Curtis Joseph made 21 saves for his first win and shutout of the season as the Detroit Red Wings blanked the Flames 3-0. Brendan Shanahan notched two goals for the Red Wings and Darren McCarty also netted. Detroit moved back to the .500 mark at 6-6-1.
Wild 4 Avalanche 4
In Denver, Steve Konowalchuk’s goal with 8:05 to play in regulation gave the Colorado Avalanche a 4-4 tie with the Minnesota Wild.
