Predators make it a great 8
Paul Kariya had a goal and an assist and Tomas Vokoun made a season-high 38 saves to help the host Nashville Predators beat the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-3, last night for their season-opening eighth straight victory.
Martin Erat and David Legwand also each had a goal and an assist, Steve Sullivan and Yanic Perreault added goals, and Scott Hartnell had three assists for the Predators in a game that included five fights between the division rivals.
The Predators, who are the NHL's last remaining unbeaten team, took control early, scoring three goals in the first period. Erat started things with a slap shot from the left circle that beat goalie Nikolai Khabibulin to the far side.
Perreault scored his fourth of the season on a power play with 6:11 remaining, and Kariya scored off a give-and-go with Legwand 1:15 later.
Chicago cut the margin to 3-2 on goals by Jim Dowd and Matthew Barnaby in the second period, but Legwand made it 4-2 when he banked a shot off the post.
Panthers 4, Penguins 3 -- Stephen Weiss's slap shot from the right faceoff dot eluded goalie Jocelyn Thibault on a power play 53 seconds into overtime and Florida ran host Pittsburgh's season-long winless streak to nine games.
The Penguins led, 3-2, following goals by Dick Tarnstrom and Lasse Pirjeta in the third period, but the Panthers tied it on Lukas Krajicek's power-play goal with 2 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation as he steered in Kristian Huselius's shot.
Mario Lemieux then drew an interference penalty in the final 17 seconds of the period that carried into the overtime, and Weiss took advantage to score his first of the season. An agitated Lemieux yelled at referees Stephane Auger and Dan O'Halloran as he left the ice.
Pittsburgh is 0-4-5, the longest season-opening stretch in its 39-season history without winning.
Canucks 3, Wild 1 -- Markus Naslund broke a tie early in the second period with his team-leading seventh goal to help visiting Vancouver beat Minnesota for its sixth straight victory.
The Canucks are 8-1-1, matching the best record after 10 games in team history.
Naslund, who had five shots in the second period, gave the Canucks a 2-1 lead, taking a pass from Todd Bertuzzi on a 2-on-1 break and banking a low shot off goalie Manny Fernandez's right arm.
Canadiens 3, Flyers 2 -- Mike Ribeiro scored his second goal of the game 2:28 into overtime after tying it midway through the third period to give host Montreal the victory.
Avalanche 5, Oilers 3 --Patrice Brisebois and Ian Laperriere scored in the final minute to help host Colorado extend Edmonton's losing streak to seven games.
Islanders 4, Thrashers 3 -- Alexei Yashin had two goals and an assist to extend his points streak to seven games in New York's victory over visiting Atlanta.
Coyotes 5, Blues 4 -- Petr Nedved scored off a rebound 1:51 into overtime, giving host Phoenix the triumph over Anaheim.
Kings 3, Mighty Ducks 1 -- Rookie Jason LaBarbera made 29 saves, and Mike Cammalleri, Luc Robitaille, and Craig Conroy scored as Los Angeles prevailed over visiting Anaheim.
Hurricane Wilma caused some minor damage to the Florida Panthers' arena, prompting the NHL to postpone Saturday's scheduled visit by the Washington Capitals. No makeup date has been set.
