NHL ROUNDUP : Shorthanded Penguins Continue Winning Ways

Off to the best start in their history, the Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Luc Robitaille for at least one more day and Kevin Stevens for at least several weeks.

It hardly mattered Tuesday night as 37-year-old forward Joe Mullen had two goals and two assists in the unbeaten Penguins’ 7-3 victory over the Florida Panthers at Pittsburgh.

“We’re getting a lot of production from everybody,” said Coach Eddie Johnston, whose team is 8-0-1. “That’s a good sign for us.”

Stevens suffered a hairline fracture to his left ankle when a puck struck him Saturday. He will be sidelined at least two weeks. Robitaille was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday for a stick-swinging incident Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.

Robitaille received a minor high-sticking penalty for a one-handed, tomahawk-type blow to defenseman Bruce Driver at 2:58 of overtime.

An All-Star left winger last season with the Kings, Robitaille called the incident “a real stupid play” but not worthy of a suspension. He said Driver was low and he tried to hit the defenseman’s arm.

“I’m not worried at all,” he said. “If they’re going to suspend me for that . . . geez.”

Robitaille will attend a hearing today before NHL vice president Brian Burke.

Stevens was injured when a Larry Murphy shot struck him. Penguin trainer Skip Thayer described the injury as a “dent” in the ankle.

“The (doctors) never really saw anything like it,” said Stevens, who was told he will be on crutches for a while.

Tomas Sandstrom, acquired from the Kings late last season, and second-year winger Markus Naslund will get more playing time with the two All-Star left wingers out. Naslund and Sandstrom scored the Penguins’ first two goals Tuesday.

John Cullen, who has been centering a line with Stevens and Joe Mullen, called Stevens’ loss “devastating.”

“You lose one of the premier forwards in the league,” Cullen said. “That’s a tough loss. He’s always in front of the net. He scores goals, makes plays and creates openings. You’re going to miss a player like that.”

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Detroit 6, San Jose 0--The Red Wings gained some small revenge for last season’s playoff elimination by the Sharks as Mike Sillinger scored two goals at Detroit.

It was the fourth NHL shutout for the Red Wings’ Chris Osgood, his third against the Sharks.

Shark goaltender Arturs Irbe, the hero of their playoff run, had to be replaced for the second consecutive night. Irbe, who gave up five goals in 15 shots, was replaced by Wade Flaherty at 10:57 of the second period.

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Vancouver 4, Edmonton 4--Trevor Linden of the Canucks scored with six seconds to play in regulation at Vancouver.

Linden scored only 13 seconds after Scott Thornton had given the Oilers a 4-3 lead with his first goal of the season. With Kirk McLean off for an extra attacker, Linden banged in a rebound off a shot by Sergio Momesso.

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Boston 7, Montreal 4--Brent Hughes and Cam Neely scored two goals each as the Bruins overwhelmed the Canadiens at Boston.

Boston, which scored nine goals in its first five games, has 18 in its last three, all victories. It has outshot all eight opponents and held a 42-28 advantage over the Canadiens.

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Buffalo 2, Washington 1--Dominik Hasek stopped 37 shots and the Sabres took advantage of two goals in the first period at Buffalo.

Hasek, who shut out the Capitals on 33 shots last Thursday, improved his record to 5-1-1.

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Tampa Bay 5, N.Y. Islanders 2--Daren Puppa had 30 saves and Rob Zamuner scored a shorthanded goal for the Lightning at St. Petersburg, Fla.