Rangers Finally Get Things Going Against Penguins

The slow-starting New York Rangers played their best game of the season Wednesday night, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-1, behind Alexei Kovalev’s three goals at Madison Square Garden.

Kovalev’s second of the night and two goals by Niklas Sundstrom highlighted a four-goal second period that broke the game open for the Rangers, who were winless in their first five games before Monday night’s 5-4 win over Calgary.

Sergei Nemchinov, Daniel Goneau and Christian Dube also scored for New York.

The Rangers outplayed the Penguins from start to finish, yielding only a power-play goal by Petr Nedved.

Montreal 4, Calgary 2--Scott Thornton, Martin Rucinsky and Marc Bureau scored short-handed goals as the Canadiens remained undefeated in five games at home.

The three short-handed goals in one game tied a Montreal record set March 20, 1948, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

San Jose 3, Florida 3--The Panthers scored three goals in the third period, outshooting the Sharks, 15-3, to force overtime and salvage a tie at San Jose.

Trailing 2-0, Florida went ahead after goals by Gord Murphy, Johan Garpenlov and Dave Lowry, including two assists by Stu Barnes.

San Jose tied the score, 3-3, with 6:37 remaining in third period on a goal by Jeff Friesen.