Panthers Extend Unbeaten Streak

Scott Mellanby dismissed his 200th NHL goal as just another contribution to the unbeaten Florida Panthers.

“It’s a big boost to play this well this early,” said Mellanby, a major factor in Florida’s 7-0-3 start. “I think most people believe in us now.”

The Panthers, who reached the Stanley Cup finals last season in only their third year in the league, beat the Flyers, 3-2, Sunday night in Philadelphia for their longest unbeaten streak.

“It’s tough to play perfect, but we’re probably close,” said Panther Coach Doug MacLean, who watched his team move seven points ahead of the Flyers, the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay in the Atlantic Division.

Mellanby, who had 73 goals in six seasons with the Flyers before moving on to Edmonton and then Florida, leads the Panthers in scoring with 11 points on four goals and seven assists.

The right wing opened the scoring at 29 seconds of the second period, punching the puck past Ron Hextall after Johan Garplenov intercepted Karl Dykhuis’ botched clearing attempt.

Dave Lowry made it 2-0 at 10:53 of the second, but John Druce countered for the Flyers with 2:10 left in the period. Bill Lindsay restored Florida’s two-goal lead at 3:29 of the third, and Philadelphia’s Daniel Lacroix completed the scoring at 7:09.

The Flyers, playing without injured centers Eric Lindros and Dale Hawerchuk, didn’t help themselves in their five power plays, failing to get a shot on net during one and managing only three shots on another.

Panther goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who had allowed fewer than a goal a game before the Rangers scored four times Friday night, faced 23 shots, but only 12 in the first two periods.

N.Y. Rangers 6, Buffalo 4--Wayne Gretzky had his most productive game as a Ranger and helped cool off the Sabres in New York.

He had a goal and three assists to lift the slumping Rangers, who had lost three straight.

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 four consecutive coming into Madison Square Garden.

With Gretzky assisting on two goals, the Rangers took a 3-0 lead in the first period. When the Sabres came back to make it 3-2 in the second period, Gretzky had a goal and an assist as the Rangers scored three straight to put the game away.

Gretzky has now scored in a league-high 11 straight games, getting five goals and 12 assists.

Brian Leetch, Luc Robitaille, Mark Messier, Pat Flatley and Niklas Sundstrom also scored for New York. Derek Plante, Michal Grosek, Brian Holzinger and Randy Burridge scored for Buffalo.

San Jose 6, Chicago 2--Owen Nolan scored his ninth career hat trick, including two goals during San Jose’s five-goal first period Sunday, leading the Sharks to a victory in Chicago.

Darren Turcotte had two first-period goals as San Jose completed its longest road trip of the season with a 3-2-1 record. With Ulf Dahlen, Turcotte and Nolan scoring on consecutive shots in an 87-second span, the Sharks broke open the game early.

It was 1-1 at 7:12 when Tony Amonte was called for taking a “dive” in trying to draw a tripping penalty on the Sharks. Dahlen took advantage of the power play, scoring on a rebound at 8:34 after Jimmy Waite stopped Al Iafrate’s shot from the point.

Turcotte made it 3-1 at 9:27. Just 34 seconds later, Nolan scored.

Nolan, who has goals in three consecutive games and points in eight straight, scored again at 18:50 for a 5-1 lead and then completed his hat trick at 6:44 of the third period for his 300th career point.

Eric Daze and Alexei Zhamnov scored power-play goals for Chicago.