Senators get first win in six home games

The Ottawa Senators ended their season-opening home losing streak in a big way against Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.

Antoine Vermette and Dean McAmmond each scored two goals to help the Senators rout the Devils, 8-1, on Saturday night for their first victory in six home games.

Jason Spezza had a goal and two assists, and Dany Heatley, Joe Corvo and Tom Preissing also scored for the Senators, 1-4-0 at home and 3-4-0 overall.

“We know it’s just one game and we have to keep working,” Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson said. “Right now it feels great, especially to win at home and the way we played.”

Ray Emery made 34 saves for his second win of the season, and Brodeur gave up six goals in 26 shots before being replaced by Scott Clemmensen midway through the second period. Clemmensen gave up two goals in 12 shots.

The last time the Devils gave up eight goals was in December 1993.

“They made us pay for every mistake we made,” Devils Coach Claude Julien said. “We have nobody else to blame but ourselves.”

Brian Gionta scored the lone goal for the Devils.

Minnesota 4, San Jose 1 -- Manny Fernandez made 31 saves as the Wild easily won a meeting of 6-1 teams at San Jose, slowing the Sharks’ best start in franchise history.

Buffalo 6, Boston 2 -- Chris Drury scored two power-play goals at Boston, and the Sabres improved to 8-0 to match their franchise best start.

Pittsburgh 5, Columbus 3 -- Evgeni Malkin, the highly touted Russian rookie, scored for the third straight game, leading the host Penguins.

N.Y. Rangers 5, Toronto 4 -- Brendan Shanahan scored the only goal of the shootout and had his eighth goal of the season in regulation to lead the Rangers at Toronto.

N.Y. Islanders 4, Carolina 3 -- Tom Poti scored New York’s third power-play goal 23 seconds into overtime, capping the Islanders’ rally at Uniondale, N.Y.

Atlanta 4, Florida 2 -- Marian Hossa scored two goals and the host Thrashers kept up the best start in franchise history.

Montreal 8, Colorado 5 -- Sheldon Souray had two goals and two assists, leading the Canadiens in Avalanche goalie Jose Theodore’s return against his former team.

Tampa Bay 6, Washington 4 -- A three-goal second period carried the Lightning at Washington. Alexander Ovechkin had two goals for the Capitals.

Vancouver 4, Nashville 3 -- Lukas Krajicek’s first goal of the season lifted the Canucks in overtime at Nashville.

St. Louis 4, Chicago 3 -- Lee Stempniak scored twice to help the Blues beat the host Blackhawks.

Dallas 4, Phoenix 0 -- Goalie Mike Smith shut out the Coyotes in his NHL debut, stopping 22 shots in the Stars’ victory at Glendale, Ariz.

Edmonton 3, Detroit 1 -- Joffrey Lupul had a goal and an assist as the Oilers beat the Red Wings at Edmonton, Canada.