Hasek Shows Sabres What They’re Missing

Dominik Hasek made 29 saves against his old team as Detroit defeated Buffalo, 4-2, Friday night at Detroit.

It was Hasek’s first game against the Sabres, the team he played for the previous 10 seasons while winning two MVP awards and six Vezina Trophies.

“It was a big challenge for me,” Hasek said. “I wouldn’t feel well if I didn’t play. I’m sure lots of people in Detroit and Buffalo were looking forward to watching me play my teammates, former teammates.”

Hasek, wanting to win his first Stanley Cup, asked for a trade after last season and was sent to Detroit for forward Vyacheslav Kozlov, a first-round pick in 2002 and future considerations.

Fredrik Olausson, who played in Switzerland last season, scored the go-ahead goal during a four-on-four at 17:34 of the second.

Former King Luc Robitaille, who signed with Detroit as a free agent, tied the score, 1-1, at 2:57 of the second on a slap shot for his first point.

Montreal 3, Columbus 1--Reid Simpson had a goal and an assist as the Canadiens won at Columbus, Ohio. Jose Theodore had 28 saves for Montreal, which is off to its best start since opening with a 10-game unbeaten streak in 1981. Montreal has three wins and a tie this season.

Minnesota 6, Chicago 4--Stacy Roest, who scored only seven goals in 76 games last season, scored his fourth of the season and the Wild scored four power-play goals to win at St. Paul, Minn.

New York Ranger defensemen Dale Purinton and Igor Ulanov were suspended by the NHL for seven games each for cross-checking infractions against the Washington Capitals. Ulanov will lose more than $170,000 in pay, and Purinton more than $34,000.