NHL ROUNDUP : This Coffey Stays Hot as He Reaches Milestone

Paul Coffey became the first NHL defenseman with 1,000 career assists and the Detroit Red Wings spoiled Bob Probert’s return to Joe Louis Arena with a 3-1 victory Wednesday night over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Coffey, whose drop pass set up a goal by Igor Larionov late in the first period, joined Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe and Marcel Dionne as the only players with 1,000 assists.

Coffey already is career leader among defensemen in goals, assists and points.

Probert, one of the NHL’s renown goons during his years with the Red Wings, was making his first appearance in Detroit since the team released him following the 1993-94 season. The Blackhawks signed him as a free agent.

Buffalo 4, Colorado 3--Randy Burridge scored a power-play goal with 8:30 left at Buffalo as the Sabres won after wasting a three-goal lead.

Burridge picked up a loose puck in front of the crease and put it over Patrick Roy’s glove.

New York 4, Boston 2--Mike Richter’s sharp goaltending and a little luck kept the Rangers’ unbeaten streak at Madison Square Garden alive at 14.

Richter made 31 saves, including four key stops during a Bruins’ power play late in the second period, to help the Rangers extend their home-ice streak to 12-0-2.

The Rangers, 13-2-2 at the Garden this season, last lost at home on Oct. 22, 4-2 to Ottawa. The Rangers, whose 45 points are the second-highest total in the league behind Atlantic Division-leading Florida, extended their overall unbeaten streak to 10 (7-0-3).

Tampa Bay 3, Hartford 2--Michel Petit scored unassisted with 28 seconds remaining at Hartford. Petit’s first goal of the year came on a slap shot from the right point and went through the legs of goaltender Sean Burke.

Calgary 8, Dallas 4--German Titov had two goals and two assists and Theoren Fleury added one goal and four assists at Dallas. It was the Stars’ fifth consecutive loss.

Edmonton 2, Vancouver 2--Brian Loney scored his first NHL goal with 66 seconds remaining at Edmonton.

Trevor Linden skated into the Edmonton zone and stopped in the left corner before sending a pass to Loney at the point. Loney’s slap shot beat goaltender Bill Ranford through the pads.

NHL Notes

The Dallas Stars traded forward Trent Klatt to the Philadelphia Flyers for left wing Brent Fedyk. Fedyk, 28, has 10 goals and five assists in 24 games for the Flyers. He has scored four power play goals.