Islanders Win Again

Mariusz Czerkawski continued his hot start by scoring two goals to help the New York Islanders to a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday at Uniondale, N.Y.

Czerkawski, who was left unprotected by the Islanders in the NHL waiver draft earlier this month, has three goals and an assist in the last two games.

Jason Blake, Michael Peca and Oleg Kvasha also scored for New York, which has a four-game unbeaten streak (3-0-1-0).

Garth Snow stopped 24 shots for his first victory.

New York Rangers 3, Florida 1 -- Eric Lindros and Tom Poti scored soft goals against Roberto Luongo at New York to lead the Rangers to their first victory of the season.

Mike Dunham made 34 saves.

Montreal 2, Detroit 1 -- Steve Begin and Richard Zednik each scored a goal and backup goalie Mathieu Garon made 18 saves to lead the Canadiens over the Red Wings at Montreal.

Vancouver 6, Buffalo 1 -- Rookie Jason King had a goal and two assists, and Dan Cloutier made 18 saves to lead the Canucks over the Sabres at Vancouver, Canada.

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Goalie Curtis Joseph, a longtime NHL standout who has been on the trading block since the Red Wings reacquired Dominik Hasek, was assigned to the minor league Grand Rapids Griffins. He will start for the Griffins on Friday when they play host to the Utah Grizzlies. “Well, I want to start playing some games here -- we all do, so I am excited,” Joseph said. “I’ll see how I feel after Friday and I’ll be coming back to Detroit on Friday night and take it there.” ... The Rangers’ Lindros injured his left shoulder in the Rangers’ win and didn’t play after the second period. The center was examined by the team’s medical staff and X-rays were taken before the third period. The results were not immediately announced, and a further evaluation was expected to be made today. Lindros left Madison Square Garden without speaking to reporters.