NHL ROUNDUP : Lemieux Makes His Usual Return for Penguins

Playing in his first game since Nov. 7, Mario Lemieux had a goal and an assist at Pittsburgh.

It didn’t help, but it seldom does.

This is the sixth time in Lemieux’s 10 seasons that he has returned from an absence of more than 10 games, and the Penguins are 1-5 in those games, including Saturday’s 9-3 loss to the Dallas Stars.

It was Pittsburgh’s fourth loss in a row.

Lemieux, who said he played pain-free after being out for 50 of the Penguins’ 55 games because of back problems, has had at least two points in each comeback game.

“He was hesitant,” Star Coach Bob Gainey said. “You’d see a flash here and there, but he’s a long way from being in game form.”

True, Lemieux said.

“I wasn’t handling the puck the way I used to in the past,” he said. “That’s to be expected. It’s probably going to take me a while to adjust to the game.”

Boston 5, New Jersey 3--Cam Neely scored three goals in 4:02 of the first period and goaltender Jon Casey won his sixth game in a row for the Bruins at home.

Florida 4, New York Islanders 3--Dave Lowry had two goals and an assist as the Panthers won at Uniondale, N.Y.

Vancouver 3, Tampa Bay 2--Geoff Courtnall scored twice and Dave Babych scored the game-winner for the Canucks at St. Petersburg, Fla.

New York Rangers 4, Ottawa 3--Mike Gartner scored two minutes 37 seconds into overtime to lift New York at Ottawa, which has not won in 10 games.

Detroit 5, St. Louis 4--Darren McCarty scored with 1:44 to play in overtime at St. Louis as the Red Wings won their third in a row.

Hartford 5, Edmonton 2--Igor Chibirev scored two goals and added two assists to lead at Edmonton as Hartford finished a six-game trip with a 3-2-1 record.

Calgary 3, Toronto 2--Gary Roberts scored the game-winning goal with 1:53 remaining as the Flames won their sixth in a row by overcoming a 2-0 deficit at home.

Montreal 5, Quebec 2--Mathieu Schneider scored twice and Kirk Muller added a goal and an assist for the Canadiens at home.