NHL ROUNDUP : Canadiens Get First Victory Over Panthers

Reserve goaltender Ron Tugnutt made 26 saves as the Montreal Canadiens got their first victory over the Florida Panthers, 5-2, Thursday night at Miami.

The Panthers were 3-0-2 against Montreal last season and skated to a 1-1 tie earlier this season in a goaltending battle between the Canadiens’ Patrick Roy and the Panthers’ John Vanbiesbrouck.

The Canadiens were relieved to to finally beat the Panthers.

“We’ve been hearing about that,” Montreal Coach Jacques Demers said. “I pick up the paper and read that we’re patsies, but we’re really playing well and this team won’t lie down to anybody.”

Detroit 4, Chicago 2--Sergei Fedorov’s goal at 3:06 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie as the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks at Chicago in an early battle for first place in the Central Division.

Philadelphia 6, Quebec 6--Rookie Adam Deadmarsh capped a three-goal, third-period comeback by the Nordiques with his second goal of the game with 1:34 to play as the Nordiques rallied to tie the Flyers at Quebec, Canada.

Eric Lindros snapped a six-game scoring drought with the fifth hat trick of his career and John LeClair had a goal and three assists.

Washington 5, Ottawa 5--Dimitri Khristich scored with 24 seconds remaining in regulation to cap a five-goal third period as the Capitals rallied at Ottawa.

The goal was Khristich’s second of the game, and came with Washington goalie Byron Dafoe on the bench for an extra attacker.

Tampa Bay 4, New York Islanders 1--Daren Puppa stopped 28 shots and Denis Savard scored his first two goals of the season as the Lightning beat the Islanders at Uniondale, N.Y.

Boston 3, New Jersey 2-- Bryan Smolinski tied the score late in the second period and got the winner with 5:42 to play as the Bruins beat the Devils at East Rutherford, N.J.

Dave Reid also scored as Boston ended a two-game losing streak and evened its record at 3-3 on its current eight-game road trip.