Hasek’s Off Night Proves Costly as Sabres Are Tied by Canadiens

Dominik Hasek let in two soft goals, and it cost the Buffalo Sabres.

Hasek was beaten on a tough-angled shot by Martin Rucinsky and let in a long floater from Brian Savage as the Montreal Canadiens earned a 3-3 tie with Buffalo on Saturday night at Montreal.

The tie hurts the Sabres’ chances for home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

“It was an important game for us, so we can’t be pleased,” Hasek said. “Home ice is not a big advantage, but it is a very small one.”

The Sabres need to win their season finale today at home against Ottawa and have Washington lose to Carolina to claim fourth place and home ice for the first round of the playoffs.

Buffalo, which moved into a tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference with Boston, also needs the Bruins to lose or tie today against Philadelphia.

Washington 4, Carolina 3--Coach Ron Wilson challenged the width of rookie Mike Fountain’s goalie stick at just the right time and Peter Bondra scored his 50th goal of the season with 8:37 remaining as the Capitals rallied for a victory over the Hurricanes at Greensboro, N.C.

Fountain’s stick was ruled illegal, and that, on top of a Carolina minor penalty, gave Washington at two-man advantage in the third period and the Capitals turned a 3-2 deficit into a victory.

Dallas 3, Chicago 1--It was one trophy down, one cup to go after a victory for the Stars over the Blackhawks at Dallas.

Joe Nieuwendyk’s power-play goal with 12:29 left broke a tie as the Stars clinched the Presidents’ Trophy and home ice throughout the playoffs by finishing with the best record in the NHL.

Sergei Zubov assisted on Dallas’ three goals, all coming on the power play, and Mike Modano returned from a 17-game injury absence to set up Dallas’ first goal by Jamie Langenbrunner. That helped the Stars extend their franchise record for points to 109.

New York Islanders 2, New Jersey 1--The Devils didn’t get the President’s Trophy, but they did get the Jennings Trophy for the second season in a row despite losing at East Rutherford. N.J.

Martin Brodeur and Mike Dunham shared the goaltending award last year, but only Brodeur’s name will be inscribed on the trophy this season as Dunham did not appear in the requisite 25 games.

But the star of Saturday’s game was Islander goalie Tommy Salo, who made 46 saves.

Pittsburgh 5, Boston 2--The Penguins finished on top of their division in style, beating the Bruins at Pittsburgh, while Jaromir Jagr finished on top of the scoring race.

Martin Straka scored three goals and Jagr secured his second NHL scoring title with a goal and an assist.

St. Louis 5, Phoenix 4--Pavol Demitra scored his 21st goal of the season early in the third period to lift the Blues over the Coyotes at Phoenix in a game that had no playoff implications.

The Blues’ Brett Hull had two assists but failed for the 10th game to score a goal, the longest drought of his career.

San Jose 4, Calgary 1--Mike Vernon had 19 saves to earn his 30th win of the season, matching San Jose’s team record, and the Sharks tuned up for their first playoff appearance in three years by beating the Flames at San Jose.

Florida 2, Tampa Bay 2--Mikael Renberg’s rebound goal with 9:53 left in regulation broke an 0-for-56 power-play drought as the Lightning snapped a nine-game losing streak with a tie against the Panthers at Tampa, Fla.

Colorado 4, Detroit 3--There were no fists of fury, only goals in a flurry as what was expected to be a fight-filled game turned into an offensive thriller. Peter Forsberg’s goal with 40.7 seconds remaining lifted the Avalanche to a victory over the Red Wings at Denver.

New York Rangers 2, Philadelphia 1--It was too little, too late, but the Rangers, who failed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years, finished the season with a victory at Philadelphia.

Edmonton 4, Toronto 3--The Oilers secured seventh place in the Western Conference and headed into the playoffs on a four-game winning streak with a victory at Edmonton.