Peca Goal Gives Sabres Win in Overtime

Michael Peca did what Buffalo usually can’t do--score on the power play--to give the Sabres a 3-2 overtime win at home over Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

“The guys were saying, ‘Let’s take a penalty instead, we’ll have a better chance of scoring,’ ” Sabre Coach Ted Nolan said. “We’ve had trouble with the power play all season long. We’ve learned to live with it and if we get a goal, great.”

Peca put a slap shot over the right shoulder of Philadelphia goaltender Ron Hextall from the right faceoff circle 42 seconds into overtime. His was only the third shot on six power plays for Buffalo, which is last in the league with a man advantage.

The win brings Northeast Division-leading Buffalo within five points of Philadelphia, which holds the top spot in Eastern Conference.

Derek Plante and Donald Audette scored for the Sabres, while the Flyers got goals from Petr Svoboda and Eric Desjardins.

New Jersey 6, Edmonton 1--Bobby Holik scored twice in a five-goal first period and the Devils stretched their unbeaten streak at home to 13 games with the victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

Scott Stevens, Bill Guerin, Bobby Carpenter and Brian Rolston also scored as the Devils, which has won seven of its last eight and is a league-best 13-2-7 in its last 22 games.

Ryan Smyth got his 30th goal of the season for the Oilers, who are 2-6-1 in their last nine games.

Washington 4, Vancouver 1--Rick Tocchet got his first goal with Washington and added an assist, and Bill Ranford stopped 16 shots as resurgent Capitals defeated the Canucks at Landover, Md.

Another newcomer, Adam Oates, also set up a goal to help Washington to its third win in four games. Ranford, Tocchet and Oates came to the Capitals in a March 1 trade with the Boston Bruins.

Peter Bondra scored his 41st goal of the season for the Capitals.

Martin Gelinas scored with 5:13 left to spoil Ranford’s bid for a shutout.

Florida 3, N.Y. Islanders 2--Robert Svehla had a goal and an assist as the Panthers ended a four-game losing streak with the victory at Miami.

Svehla’s first-period goal gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead, and he assisted on Ray Sheppard’s go-ahead goal in the second period, which put Florida ahead, 2-1. Mike Hough made it 3-1.

Florida won for only the second time in 12 games.

Todd Bertuzzi and Paul Kruse scored for the Islanders.

St. Louis 4, San Jose 3--The Blues held off a comeback attempt by the Sharks at San Jose.