Primeau’s Return Has Flyers Primed

Philadelphia captain Keith Primeau says that the Flyers are ready for their playoff run.

Primeau celebrated his return to the lineup with two goals as the Atlantic Division leaders extended their unbeaten streak to four games with a 4-1 victory Monday night over the Toronto Maple Leafs at Philadelphia.

“I thought we did a much better job tonight,” said Primeau, who missed two games because of strained ribs. “We’ve done some good things the last week or two, but as far as a 60-minute effort goes, tonight was our best.”

Simon Gagne scored a short-handed goal for the Flyers, who moved within two points of Eastern Conference leader Boston with two games in hand. Dan McGillis had an empty-net goal with six seconds left.

New York Islanders 4, New York Rangers 2--Oleg Kvasha scored the tying and game-winning goals in a 4:57 span late in the third period to lift the Islanders at Uniondale, N.Y.

Theo Fleury and Roman Lyashenko scored for the Rangers, who lost for the sixth time in seven games and remained three points behind eighth-place Montreal, with eight games to play.

New Jersey 3, Florida 1--Joe Nieuwendyk set up goals by linemates Patrik Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner to lead the Devils at East Rutherford, N.J.

John Madden had a breakaway goal in the final minute, and the Devils limited Florida to 15 shots.

Nashville 3, Detroit 3--Scott Hartnell had a goal and an assist as the Predators tied the Red Wings at Nashville. Nashville is the only team in the NHL not to lose in overtime this season.

Calgary 6, Columbus 1--Craig Conroy scored twice and had two assists, and Jarome Iginla scored his league-leading 44th goal as the Flames won at Calgary, Canada, to end an eight-game winless streak. Iginla, who also had two assists, leads the NHL with 83 points.

Phoenix Coyote defenseman Danny Markov is expected to miss the rest of the regular season because of a broken left foot. The Coyotes said that tests performed at a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital found a broken bone.... New Jersey Devil forward Bobby Holik was suspended for one game, missing Monday’s game against Florida, for hitting Carolina’s Rod Brind’Amour in the face with his stick.... St. Louis Blues forward Keith Tkachuk was suspended for one game by the league for slashing Chicago defenseman Lyle Odelein. Tkachuk will miss tonight’s game against Minnesota.