Smyth Strikes Often for Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers were desperate for a victory and Ryan Smyth delivered.

Smyth scored three goals--two in a 52-second span in the second period--as the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Ottawa Senators, 4-1, oSunday night at Edmonton, Canada.

The hat trick was the fourth of Smyth’s career and his second of the season for the struggling Oilers, who have a 5-9-0 record against Eastern Conference teams.

“First of all, it’s a big character win for us,” Smyth said. “Three goals, a lot of it was luck. A couple I just turned around and shot.”

Dominic Roussel, making his first appearance for Edmonton since being claimed off waivers from the Mighty Ducks on Wednesday, made 18 saves to help the Oilers end Ottawa’s five-game winning streak.

The game was just the fifth that Edmonton goalie Tommy Salo did not start.

“It’s nice for him [Salo] to know that somebody can step in and have a chance to win the game,” Roussel said. “I really prepared myself and focused on the game, and nothing else.

“I just appreciated the guys giving a really good effort out there for 60 minutes and helping me out, giving me a chance to win the game. I’m surprised I wasn’t [nervous] a little bit.”

New York Rangers 4, Minnesota 2--Adam Graves scored his 300th goal and Mike Richter made 30 saves as the Rangers ended a nine-game winless streak with a victory at New York.

Brian Leetch had two first-period goals for the Rangers, who hadn’t won since a 6-3 home victory over Florida Dec. 18. They were 0-7-1-1 in that span.

Graves’ seventh goal of the season, and first since that victory, gave the Rangers a 3-1 lead 2:10 into the third period.

Dallas 3, Tampa Bay 2--Ed Belfour won for the first time since returning from a two-day suspension, making 22 saves to lead the Stars at Tampa, Fla.

Sergei Zubov’s power-play goal 5:10 into the third period was the game-winner. With Lightning defenseman Sergey Gusev in the penalty box for tripping, Zubov one-timed a pass from Mike Modano past goalie Dan Cloutier.

Belfour lost to Detroit on Friday night in his first game back since serving a two-day suspension for walking out on the team after arguing with Coach Ken Hitchcock Jan. 6 in Boston.

Vancouver 5, Calgary 1--Markus Naslund had his first hat trick in more than two years as the Canucks beat the Flames at Vancouver, Canada.

The hat trick gave Naslund a league-best 27 goals.

Chicago 2, Colorado 2--Eric Daze scored on a 45-foot shot with 1:19 remaining in the third period as the Blackhawks rallied to tie the Avalanche at Chicago.