Nabokov Sparkles as Sharks End Slide

Evgeni Nabokov got his fifth shutout and Owen Nolan scored from the middle of the rink as the revitalized Sharks ended their seven-game winless streak with a 3-0 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Monday night at San Jose.

Patrick Marleau and Stephane Matteau also scored for the Sharks, who moved back within one point of Dallas for the Pacific Division lead.

Meanwhile, Martin Rucinsky became the latest victim of a knee-to-knee hit from Shark defenseman Bryan Marchment.

Rucinsky, Montreal’s veteran left wing, was dropped by Marchment only 6:27 into the game. Rucinsky, who sat out 21 games earlier this season because of a knee injury, was helped off the ice.

The Canadiens immediately attacked Marchment as Rucinsky fell to the ice. Marchment received a five-minute kneeing penalty and a game misconduct, while Montreal’s Trevor Linden received a roughing penalty in the scuffle.

Earlier this season, Marchment dropped Edmonton Oiler captain Doug Weight the same way.

N.Y. Rangers 3, Pittsburgh 3--Brian Leetch scored with 1:08 left in regulation to salvage a tie for the Rangers, who allowed three third-period goals at New York.

Mario Lemieux, Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang scored less than 12 minutes apart to push the Penguins in front with only 3:35 left in regulation, but Leetch, who also had an assist, intercepted a clearing attempt in the slot and scored his 18th goal past goalie Jean-Sebastien Aubin.

The third-period effort spoiled the home debut of Ranger goalie Guy Hebert, claimed last week off waivers from Anaheim.

Around the League

Atlanta Thrasher forward Donald Audette was given a two-game suspension for hitting Calgary Flame forward Ronald Petrovicky in the head during Sunday’s game. . . . The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired defenseman Bobby Dollas, 36, and goalie Johan Hedberg, 27, from San Jose for defenseman Jeff Norton, 35, who will play for the Sharks for the third time in his career. . . . The New Jersey Devils acquired John Vanbiesbrouck, 37, from the New York Islanders in exchange for Chris Terreri, 36, and a ninth-round draft pick in a trade of backup goaltenders.