Rare Road Victory for the Thrashers

The Don Waddell era is off to a good start in Atlanta.

Brad Tapper redirected a shot from Andy Sutton early in the third period Friday night at Raleigh, N.C., as the Thrashers beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-3, in Waddell’s first game as coach.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored two goals for the Thrashers, who came in with an NHL-worst 21 points and a 2-12-1-2 record in road games. But they rallied from an early two-goal deficit and won for only the second time in their last 11 games.

“That always happens: You get a change and then you end up winning a game,” said left winger Dany Heatley, who scored his ninth goal of the season in the first period. “Hopefully this will be a little spark for us and we can go on a little bit of a tear.”

Waddell, the team’s general manager, took over after firing Curt Fraser on Thursday. Waddell hadn’t coached since the 1991-92 season, when he guided the San Diego Gulls of the International Hockey League.

Dallas 4, Florida 0 -- Ron Tugnutt made 23 saves at Sunrise, Fla., for the 22nd shutout of his career.

It was Tugnutt’s first shutout for Dallas. His last shutout was March 2 against the Kings when he played for Columbus.

Dallas ended a five-game winless streak.

Philadelphia 2, Colorado 1 -- Eric Desjardins scored with 3:22 left in overtime at Denver.

On the first shot by either team in overtime, Desjardins scored on a backhander from the slot after taking a pass from Jeremy Roenick.

Ottawa 3, Montreal 2 -- Marian Hossa scored 50 seconds into overtime, after Mike Fisher scored with 45.7 seconds left in regulation for the Senators at Ottawa.

Tampa Bay 5, Boston 2 -- Martin St. Louis and Fredrik Modin scored two minutes apart midway through the third period at Tampa, Fla.

Tampa Bay captain Dave Andreychuk moved past Jari Kurri into 13th place on the all-time goal-scoring list when he scored his 602nd goal in the first period.

Washington 3, New Jersey 2 -- Jaromir Jagr and Peter Bondra scored 53 seconds apart in the second period to lead the Capitals at Washington.

Olaf Kolzig made 29 saves and Steve Konowalchuk also scored for the Capitals, who have won four games in a row.

Toronto 4, Calgary 3 -- Jonas Hoglund scored the tying goal early in the third period and added the winner with 3:26 left at Calgary, Canada.

Mats Sundin scored a first-period goal for the Maple Leafs but left the game in the third period after being checked into the glass by Flame defenseman Bob Boughner. Sundin’s left shoulder hit the stiff glass awkwardly and he did not return.