Homecoming Is Warm for Richer

Stephane Richer was in New Jersey for the first time since being traded by the Devils to Montreal last summer, and he spent some time visiting some old friends during the Saturday morning pre-game skate.

One of them was New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur.

“We talked 10 to 15 minutes about family stuff,” Richer said. “Just before I left, I said ‘You should give me a goal tonight. I need one. I just came back from an injury [six games with back spasms].’ He said OK.”

Later in the evening, Richer beat Brodeur for two goals for the Canadiens, who tied New Jersey, 3-3, in East Rutherford.

“It’s tough when he scores two goals like that, but it helps get you a little bit more into the game,” Brodeur said.

After the second goal, Richer tried to press his luck.

“I said, ‘Give me a third one. I could really use a hat trick,’ ” he said.

Uh, no.

“It’s always fun when you get rivalries like that with friends,” Brodeur said.

Brian Savage had three assists and Darcy Tucker scored the tying goal late in the second period for Montreal, which has won only twice in its last eight games (2-4-2).

Buffalo 4, Boston 0--Sabre goaltender Dominik Hasek had 29 saves, including a breakaway scoring chance for Andre Roy in the third period in his 19th shutout.

Michal Grosek scored two goals in Boston, where the Bruins are winless in a five-game home stand and Coach Steve Kasper indicated there would be some changes in his slumping club.

Phoenix 5, Toronto 3--Keith Tkachuk scored twice and the Coyotes took advantage of a mistake-prone Maple Leaf defense in their fourth victory in a six-game trip.

Tampa Bay 4, New York Islanders 1--Goals by Shawn Burr and Alex Selivanov, scored 51 seconds apart early in the third period, gave the Lightning its first victory at home since Nov. 19.

Philadelphia 4, Hartford 0--Rod Brind’Amour had two goals and Garth Snow earned his first NHL shutout for the Flyers, who won at Hartford.

Calgary 4, Colorado 1--Dave Gagner’s power-play goal at 11:51 of the second period broke a 1-1 tie and pushed the Flames to a victory in Calgary.