Gretzky Hurt, Rangers Win

John MacLean scored two goals Friday night as the New York Rangers, playing without Wayne Gretzky for the first time in three seasons, beat the Phoenix Coyotes, 3-0, at New York.

The Rangers announced before the game that Gretzky, the NHL’s all-time scoring leader, would be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a neck injury. He had played 223 consecutive games with the Rangers since signing as a free agent in the summer of 1996.

“Hopefully I’ll be up and skating in a few weeks,” Gretzky said.

Mike Richter made 25 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 22nd of his career.

“Everybody dug down a bit deeper,” Richter said.

With their superstar center watching from General Manager Neil Smith’s box at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers responded with one of their strongest games at home this season.

Tampa Bay 4, Philadelphia 1--Stephane Richer scored two first-period goals and goaltender Corey Schwab stopped 36 shots for the Lightning at Tampa, Fla.

Pavel Kubina and Sandy McCarthy also scored for the Lightning to help Coach Jacques Demers move past Punch Imlach into 11th place on the NHL’s all-time victory list with his 403rd win.

Detroit 5, Florida 5--The Panthers scored the first four goals in the third period, but Igor Larionov’s power-play goal with 5:04 to play allowed the Red Wings to tie at Detroit.

Pavel Bure scored twice--once on a penalty shot--for the Panthers. Kirk Maltby scored twice for Detroit.

St. Louis 4, Calgary 2--Craig Conroy had his first three-goal game and the Blues rallied in the third period at Calgary.

St. Louis goaltender Brent Johnson, making his first NHL start, had 27 saves. Johnson’s only previous appearance was a 20-minute stint in relief of Jamie McLennan on Feb. 15.

Dallas 6, Pittsburgh 4--Tony Hrkac scored the tiebreaking goal for the Stars with 14:44 to play at Dallas.

Martin Straka had two goals, one short-handed, for the Penguins.

Edmonton 6, Buffalo 3--Todd Marchant scored twice and added an assist to lead the Oilers at Edmonton.

Derek Plante had two goals and Miroslav Satan also scored for Buffalo.

Vancouver 1, Carolina 0--Brad May scored the game’s only goal and Garth Snow stopped 23 shots at Vancouver as the Canucks ended a five-game winless streak.

Around the League

Toronto Maple Leaf defenseman Chris McAllister was suspended for two games without pay for leaving the bench and becoming involved in a fight, the NHL said. McAllister left the bench during the second period of Thursday night’s game against the New York Islanders, then was assessed a major penalty for fighting and a game misconduct.