NHL ROUNDUP : Jagr Picks Up Slack, Pittsburgh Wins, 4-2

The Pittsburgh Penguins can put on an outstanding offensive show even without star center Mario Lemieux. After all, they do have Jaromir Jagr in their lineup.

Jagr turned in a spectacular performance in Pittsburgh’s 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night at Buffalo. He had two goals and assisted on a third, displaying his exceptional talents throughout the contest.

“He’s been our best player so far this season,” Penguin Coach Eddie Johnston said.

Lemieux returns to the Pittsburgh lineup later in the month. In the meantime, though, Jagr is playing some of the best hockey of his career.

Yuri Khmylev and Wayne Presley scored for the Sabres.

Jagr, Doug Brown and Martin Straka combined for eight points, as the Penguins won their third consecutive game.

“That line has been playing great hockey,” said Pittsburgh defenseman Mike Ramsey. “Jaromir has great individual talent.”

Jagr set the tone almost immediately, scoring less than two minutes into the game. He took a pass from Straka on a two-on-one break, and he put a backhand shot from close range past goalie Dominik Hasek.

Jagr put Pittsburgh ahead, 2-1, seven minutes into the second period. He picked up a stray pass, stick-handled around Buffalo defenseman Doug Bodger, and slid a 10-footer barely inside the goal post.

Tampa Bay 4, N.Y. Rangers 1--Mikael Anderson, Danton Cole and Brian Bradley scored first-period goals at St. Petersburg as the Lightning continued to rebound from its slow start.

The Rangers suffered their second consecutive loss to an expansion team after losing to the Mighty Ducks on Tuesday night.

Philadephia 4, N.Y. Islanders 3--Eric Lindros’ second goal of the game broke a tie in the third period at Philadelphia. With 8:28 to play, Lindros scored his seventh goal of the season after Garry Galley picked up a loose puck in the Islanders’ right circle and sent it across the slot to Lindros.

Dimitri Yushkevich made it 4-2 with 4:56 remaining, giving the Flyers their eventual winning goal. New York’s Travis Green scored his first goal of the season with 18.2 seconds left.

The Islanders dropped to 1-6-0, their worst start since their first year in the NHL in 1972-73.

Boston 3, Edmonton 1--The Bruins outshot the Oilers, 22-12, in the first two periods and made a 2-0 lead stand up at Edmonton. Brent Hughes, Adam Oates and Joe Juneau scored for the Bruins, who moved into third place in the Northeast Division behind Pittsburgh and Montreal.