Hurricanes fire Laviolette

Peter Laviolette won more games than any other American-born coach in NHL history. But he didn't win enough of them lately to keep his job with the Carolina Hurricanes, so they replaced him with their winningest coach - the same one Laviolette replaced five years earlier.

The Hurricanes fired Laviolette yesterday, brought back Paul Maurice to take over, and moved Hall of Fame player and assistant general manager Ron Francis behind the bench as Maurice's associate coach.

"Everybody knows [Maurice is] my good friend," Carolina general manager Jim Rutherford said. "Take friendship aside, I wouldn't do this if I didn't think him and Ron were the right two to try and make some changes."

Laviolette, who was born in Norwood, grew up in Franklin, and once coached the Providence Bruins, led the Hurricanes to their only Stanley Cup in 2006, and last month he became the NHL's winningest American-born coach. But the Hurricanes lost four of five during the last 1 1/2 weeks.

Laviolette, who coached the Islanders for two seasons, was 167-130-30 and in his fifth season with Carolina. He had 2 1/2 years left on the five-year contract he signed in June 2006. His 244 career wins are five more than John Tortorella as the most in league history by a US-born coach.

Senators 5, Thrashers 1 - Dany Heatley had a goal and two assists and host Ottawa got first-period goals from each member of the Pizza Line - Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson - in a victory over Atlanta.

A 21-year-old man was taken to a hospital after he fell about 25 feet from the upper deck of Scotiabank Place during the second intermission and landed in a row of seats. He appeared OK. Two people the man landed on were treated at the scene, and a third person sustained a non-critical neck injury and was taken to a hospital. Senators president and CEO Roy Mlakar said the man was carrying two beers when he stumbled over a purse.

Rangers 3, Penguins 2 - Petr Prucha returned from exile to score his first goal of the season late in the third period and host New York went on to beat Pittsburgh in a shootout.

Prucha had been a healthy scratch for the previous 10 games and turned down the Rangers' request over the weekend to go down to the AHL.

Oilers 5, Stars 2 - Mathieu Garon made 23 saves to help host Edmonton beat Dallas in the Stars' second game without suspended agitator Sean Avery.

Wild 4, Blues 0 - Niklas Backstrom made 22 saves for his third shutout of the season and host Minnesota beat St. Louis.

Blackhawks 4, Ducks 2 - Jonathan Toews broke a tie with 1:35 left in regulation in host Chicago's victory.