Subdued Maple Leafs Fall, 5-2

With Bryan Berard in their thoughts, the Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t muster much against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The surging Blackhawks got two goals from Steve Sullivan on Wednesday night and beat the Maple Leafs, 5-2, at Toronto.

Berard, a Toronto defenseman, was struck in the face Saturday night by the stick of Marian Hossa of the Ottawa Senators and needs exploratory surgery to determine the extent of the injury. Dr. Rob Devenyi, who examined Berard, said “chances are slim, but not impossible” that sight in the eye can be saved.

Berard, who is resting at home, was recognized during a break midway through the first period. A video replay of a recent goal flashed across the scoreboard along with a get-well wish. The fans responded with a one-minute ovation.

“That was a nice ovation for him,” Maple Leaf forward Garry Valk said. “He’s on everyone’s minds, but we can’t blame it on that every time we lose.

“We just weren’t focused.”

Toronto players wouldn’t admit it, but Coach Pat Quinn, the fans and even the opponents recognized the Maple Leafs were distant against the Blackhawks.

“Their minds maybe weren’t 100% there,” said Sullivan, a former Toronto player. “It’s a very emotional time for them. They lost a great player and a great person in the dressing room.

“We’re hoping and praying for Bryan as are most guys in the NHL. But I’m sure they are thinking about it twice as much.”

None of the Maple Leafs added protective visors to their helmets for the game, even though some said they were considering it. Forwards Alyn McCauley, Yanic Perreault and Nik Antropov were the only players with half-shields.

Dallas 3, New Jersey 2--Mike Modano broke a tie early in the third period with a goal off the skate of a Devil player at East Rutherford, N.J., giving the Stars their third consecutive victory.

Jamie Langenbrunner and Richard Matvichuk also scored as the defending Stanley Cup champions welcomed back goalie Ed Belfour after a week’s absence and spoiled the Devil debut of Alexander Mogilny.

Belfour, who sat out the last four games after being arrested last week for assaulting a hotel security guard, didn’t play. Wearing a baseball cap, he watched Manny Fernandez make 22 saves, including two on Mogilny early in the third period with the score tied.

St. Louis 5, Phoenix 3--Chris Pronger scored two power-play goals at Phoenix as the Blues matched a franchise mark for road victories. St. Louis won for the 11th time in 13 road games (11-1-1) to raise its NHL-best road record to 23-9-3.

The Blues equaled the team record for road victories set by the 1990-91 club and are one point away from setting the franchise mark for road points.

San Jose 6, Buffalo 5--Jeff Friesen scored at 2:56 of overtime to cap the Sharks’ rally from a 5-3 deficit at San Jose.

Ottawa 3, Calgary 1--With newly acquired Tom Barrasso looking on from the press box at Calgary, Patrick Lalime made 36 saves and came within 16 seconds of his second consecutive shutout.

Washington 4, N.Y. Islanders 3--Chris Simon scored late in the second period at Washington to complete the Capitals’ rally from a two-goal deficit.

Carolina 2, Edmonton 2--Glen Wesley scored on a rebound with 13:46 to play as the Hurricanes rallied from a two-goal deficit at Raleigh, N.C.

N.Y. Rangers 4, Tampa Bay 4--Brian Leetch’s goal early in the third period gave the Rangers a tie at New York.

Leetch fired a high 35-foot slap shot from the left side that beat goaltender Rich Parent, who was down on the play.

Around the League

Eric Lindros, who sat out the Philadelphia Flyers’ last game because of a migraine headache, is hospitalized and expected to be sidelined for at least a week. . . . Trevor Linden of the Montreal Canadiens will undergo surgery today to repair two fractured ribs and will sit out the remainder of the season.