NHL ROUNDUP : For Opener, Hot Hextall Saves Flyers

Ron Hextall made 25 saves and assisted on the game-winning goal as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Washington Capitals, 2-1, Wednesday night in their home opener at Philadelphia.

John LeClair and Rod Brind’Amour got the Philadelphia goals, with Hextall assisting on Brind’Amour’s goal at 9:24 of the third period.

Hextall carried a shutout well into the third period, when Sergei Gonchar got the Capitals’ only goal on a power play at 14:20.

New York Rangers 6, Winnipeg 4--Newcomer Ray Ferraro had two goals and two assists as the Rangers successfully opened their 70th anniversary season at New York.

Ferraro, a free-agent center who came over from the New York Islanders in the summer, had a goal and two assists as the Rangers scored four goals in the second period.

Florida 6, Montreal 1--Scott Mellanby scored two goals for the second consecutive game as the early-season woes of Canadien goalie Patrick Roy continued at Miami.

Gord Murphy and Stu Barnes each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers.

The Panthers set a franchise record against Roy, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as best NHL goaltender, by scoring four goals in 3:13 against him in the second period.

Colorado 3, Boston 1--Stephane Fiset turned away 34 shots and Claude Lemieux scored his first goal of the season at Denver.

Boston outshot Colorado, 35-19, but failed to convert on seven power plays, including four in the final period.