Source Reports Stirling Is Fired

The New York Islanders fired Coach Steve Stirling on Wednesday night, a person familiar with the decision told the Associated Press.

The person, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there would be an announcement today.

New York will have an interim coach for tonight’s home game against Calgary. The rest of the coaching staff is expected to remain, and Stirling probably will be offered a position within the organization, the source said.

A recent skid dropped the Islanders to 18-22-2, fourth place in the Atlantic Division.

In Wednesday’s games:

Colorado 2, Montreal 1 -- Ian Laperriere’s goal with 3 minutes 36 seconds to play at Denver helped the Avalanche win its sixth consecutive game.

Cristobal Huet stopped 35 shots before Marek Svatos scored at 10:30 of the third period to tie the score, 1-1.

David Aebischer had 25 saves to win his fifth game in a row.

Columbus 6, Pittsburgh 1 -- Jaroslav Balastik scored twice at Columbus, Ohio, and the Blue Jackets sent the Penguins to their fourth consecutive loss.

There were six fights, two at one time in the second and third periods, and the teams combined for 152 penalty minutes, tying a Blue Jacket record.

Philadelphia 5, Chicago 2 -- Mike Knuble scored on a deflection with 8:33 left, ending a tie at Chicago.

The Flyers, 9-1-1 in their last 11 games, played the 10th game of a team-record 11-game trip. They are 8-1-1 on the swing.

Atlanta 4, Nashville 3 -- Marian Hossa scored the only goal in a shootout to give the host Thrashers their first shootout victory in five tries. Nashville fell to 4-2 in the tiebreaker.