Kovalev Shines, but Rangers Tie

Goals are coming easier these days for Alexei Kovalev. But victories are still tough for the New York Rangers, especially at home.

For the 13th time in 14 home games this season, the Rangers allowed their opponents to take the lead. This time, they rallied to tie the Florida Panthers, 1-1, Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

“It would have been nice to win the game, [but] there were a lot of positives,” Ranger Coach Colin Campbell said.

One of them was Kovalev, who scored his sixth goal in the last 10 games after scoring none in his first 18. Another was that the Rangers outshot the Panthers, 14-7, in the first period.

“We came out strong and we got going,” said Pat LaFontaine, who assisted on Kovalev’s goal. “The shots just weren’t going in.”

Edmonton 6, San Jose 1--Jason Arnott scored two goals and Doug Weight had four assists as the Oilers routed the Sharks at Edmonton.

The newly created line of Weight, Arnott and Ryan Smyth, who had one goal and two assists, combined for nine points in leading the Oilers to their fourth victory in their last 13 home games.

Andrei Kovalenko scored his first goal of the season by eluding three defenders and tucking a backhand over goaltender Kelly Hrudey, who was then replaced by Mike Vernon.

San Jose rookie Marco Sturm got a goal back for the Sharks, but the Oilers regained control of the game when Rem Murray scored on a power play.