Ranford Blanks Flyers in Lindros’ Return

Eric Lindros had his return to the lineup spoiled by goalie Bill Ranford, who stopped 34 shots Tuesday as the Bruins shut out the Flyers, 2-0, in Boston.

Lindros sat out Philadelphia’s first 23 games this season because of a groin injury he sustained this summer during the World Cup of Hockey. Lindros centered the Flyers’ No. 1 line and had three shots on goal, including two in the first period.

Lindros seemed to be fully recovered from the injury, playing his typically physical game by delivering several hard checks. Ranford’s shutout was the Bruins’ first this season and the 13th of his career. Ranford’s biggest save came with 2:27 left when he made a sprawling kick save on Eric Desjardins.

The victory ended a three-game winless streak for the Bruins.

Florida 4, Buffalo 3--Ray Sheppard’s hat trick--the third in team history--sent the Panthers past the Sabres at Miami.

Sheppard had two goals in the second period to tie the score, 2-2, and his goal at 7:09 of the third gave the Panthers their first home hat trick since Sheppard had three goals against the New York Islanders on March 21.

It was Sheppard’s ninth hat trick. Florida goalie John Vanbiesbrouck had 20 saves and is 11-2-3 this season.

Toronto 3, Vancouver 2--The Maple Leafs limited the chances on rookie goalie Marcel Cousineau to defeat the Canucks at Toronto.

Cousineau, 23, stopped 22 of 24 shots and needed only to make a handful of difficult saves in his first NHL start. Wendel Clark, Darby Hendrickson and Mats Sundin scored for Toronto. Trevor Linden and David Roberts had the Canucks’ goals.

“I’m pretty happy. Your whole life you dream about this,” Cousineau said. “It was a great feeling and the fans were great. They supported me a lot when I skated out.”

New York Rangers 3, Phoenix 1--Mark Messier scored all of New York’s goals, giving him 551 in his career, and the Rangers broke a three-game losing streak by beating the Coyotes at Phoenix.

Mike Richter made 37 saves and gave up only Keith Tkachuk’s goal in the final minute of the second period.

Edmonton 10, Calgary 1--Ten players had goals for the high-scoring Oilers at Calgary. Edmonton has scored 87 goals this season, second in the Western Conference behind Colorado’s 91.

Left wing Dean McAmmond had one goal, his sixth, and two assists. The Oilers were four for 10 on the power play.

It was Edmonton’s third consecutive victory, and the loss was the worst for the Flames in Saddledome history. Calgary is 2-9-1 in its last 12 games.