Lemieux Returns, Penguins Still Fall

Mario Lemieux’s return couldn’t prevent the Pittsburgh Penguins from dropping to 0-4.

Slava Kozlov scored twice to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-1 victory Sunday at Buffalo over the Penguins, who matched their 1983 team for the worst start in franchise history.

Lemieux, the NHL’s six-time scoring champion, failed to register a point after missing two games with a strained hip. His presence couldn’t bolster a sluggish offense that has managed just seven goals this season.

While the Penguins might have opened 0-4, as they did in 1983, they’re not going to finish the same way, they say.

“We finished last, dead last in the league,” Lemieux said, referring to the 1983-84 team that went on to manage just 16 wins. “I promise you we’re not going to finish last.”

Martin Straka scored his third goal of the year for the Penguins, cutting the Sabres’ lead to 2-1 three minutes into the third period.

Miroslav Satan and James Patrick added goals for the Sabres, while goaltender Martin Biron stopped 25 shots.

The Penguins’ longest stretch without a win to open a season came in 1969, when they started 0-3-3.

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Chicago 2, Columbus 2-Eric Daze’s second goal of the game early in the third period gave the Blackhawks a tie at Columbus.

Grant Marshall and Tyler Wright scored power-play goals for Columbus (0-1-4). Lyle Odelein assisted on both. Michael Nylander had two assists for the Blackhawks (2-3-1).

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Edmonton 3, Minnesota 3--Janne Niinimaa came out of the penalty box and set up Rem Murray for the tying goal in the third period for visiting Edmonton (4-1-1).

The second-year Wild have not lost this season (3-0-2).