Old Gretzky Back in Swing in New York

Wayne Gretzky had his most productive game in a New York uniform as the Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 6-4, Sunday night.

Looking like the dominating player who led the Edmonton Oilers to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s, Gretzky had a goal and three assists to lift the slumping Rangers, who had lost three consecutive games.

Gretzky not only keyed the offense, he helped a penalty-killing unit that killed all six power-play opportunities for the Sabres, who had won five in a row coming into Madison Square Garden.

After going scoreless in his first game with the Rangers, Gretzky has scored in a league-high 11 games in a row, getting five goals and 12 assists.

San Jose 6, Chicago 2--One day after his goal saved a tie, Owen Nolan continued his hot scoring streak with a hat trick at Chicago.

After scoring only once in San Jose’s first nine games, Nolan has five goals in his last three. Sunday, he recorded his ninth career hat trick and added an assist to increase his career total to 300 points.

San Jose scored five times in the first period, including two by Nolan.

Florida 3, Philadelphia 2--Scott Mellanby scored his 200th career goal as the Panthers remained the league’s only undefeated team with the victory at Philadelphia.