Hull Just Getting Started For Stars

A 20-goal season is an accomplishment for most NHL players. It only gets Brett Hull warmed up.

Hull scored two goals to give him a share of the league lead with 21 as the Dallas Stars beat Pittsburgh, 8-2, Saturday night at Pittsburgh.

Hull has had at least 20 goals in 14 consecutive seasons.

“I don’t consider 20 goals anything,” Hull said. “I’d be embarrassed if I didn’t get 20.”

Pittsburgh has lost five in a row at home, matching the team’s second-longest home futility streak. The Penguins lost seven consecutive home games in the 1983-84 season.

The Penguins expect Mario Lemieux, the Hall of Famer and team owner, to make his return to the lineup for their next home game Wednesday against Toronto.

Goalie Garth Snow said he hoped the Penguins aren’t playing poorly because they’re distracted by Lemieux’s return.

“I don’t think so,” Snow said. “We have games to play and we need to play well to take the pressure off him so he can come in on the right foot.”

Toronto 5, Montreal 2--Sergei Berezin scored twice and Curtis Joseph made 19 saves at Montreal for his 300th career victory as the Maple Leafs improved to 3-0 this season against the Canadiens.

Mats Sundin and Jonas Hoglund each had a goal and an assist to help the Maple Leafs end a four-game losing streak.

Buffalo 5, San Jose 2--Miroslav Satan scored twice and added an assist at Buffalo as the Sabres won to improve to 9-0 at home against the Sharks.

Chicago 3, Ottawa 2--Tony Amonte scored two second-period goals to lead the surging Blackhawks over the Senators at Kanata, Canada.

Detroit 2, Boston 1--Mathieu Dandenault scored 1:30 into overtime, and Manny Legace extended his unbeaten streak to six games as the Red Wings won at Boston.

Washington 5, Florida 3--Adam Oates had three of his four assists on power-play goals at Washington to help goalie Olaf Kolzig set a team record for victories with his 129th, passing Don Beaupre on the club list.

Philadelphia 2, Carolina 1--Dan McGillis scored with 1:10 left in overtime as the Flyers beat the Hurricanes at Philadelphia to remain undefeated under new Coach Bill Barber.

Columbus 7, New York Islanders 5--Geoff Sanderson’s second goal of the game was the difference as the Blue Jackets won at Uniondale, N.Y.

New Jersey 5, Tampa Bay 1--Alexander Mogilny had two goals and an assist to lead the Devils past the Lightning at Tampa, Fla.

Colorado 3, Vancouver 2--Milan Hejduk scored with 1:01 left in overtime and Alex Tanguay and Joe Sakic added goals for the Avalanche at Denver.

Around the League

Stephane Richer, 34, a two-time 50-goal scorer for Montreal more than a decade ago, rejected an offer to come out of retirement and play for the Canadiens. . . . Buffalo Sabre center Curtis Brown will be sidelined at least two weeks after spraining his right knee against San Jose.