Canadiens Finally Feel at Home

The Montreal Canadiens held a brief celebration for a long-awaited victory.

Dainius Zubrus scored two goals and Martin Rucinsky had a goal and an assist, extending his point-scoring streak to six games, as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Atlanta Thrashers, 3-2, Monday night at Montreal for their first home win in more than a month.

“It’s been awhile,” Zubrus said. “We can’t take any win for granted. We’ve got to be happy about it. Then, next game, we’ll forget about it.”

Montreal, which had lost seven in a row at the Molson Centre, won for the third time in 16 games. The Canadiens avoided setting a new team record for consecutive home losses after tying the mark of seven set by the 1939-40 team.

Chicago 6, Detroit 5--Steve Sullivan scored with 27 seconds remaining in overtime at Detroit.

The Blackhawks improved to 4-0-1 in their last five games in Detroit.

New York Islanders 7, Tampa Bay 4--Taylor Pyatt scored his first goal and six other Islanders scored at Uniondale, N.Y., as New York ended an eight-game losing streak.

Around the League

Eric Lindros has been cleared to play, six months after being knocked out of the Stanley Cup playoffs because of a concussion. Lindros’ lawyer, Gord Kirke, said the 27-year-old restricted free agent was given the clearance Monday by neurologist Dr. James Kelly. “He’s ready to practice full out--if he has a team,” Kirke told The Canadian Press. “But he’s ready to go.”