Dominik Hasek is making a habit of shutting out the New York Rangers. Beating them is another story - particularly when Mike Richter is in top form.
That's just what happened Tuesday night when the Sabres and Rangers played to a 0-0 tie at Madison Square Garden."It would have been 3-2 if not for the goalies," Buffalo forward Matthew Barnaby said. "The chances were there."
Especially for the Sabres, who had a number of quality scoring opportunities among their 24 shots, only to be turned back by Richter.
"He makes what - $6 million a year? He should have games like that," Barnaby said.
Hasek shut out the Rangers for the fourth straight time. He only faced 16 shots and was also lucky - three Rangers shots hit the goal post.
ISLANDERS 1, KINGS 0: Tommy Salo stopped 20 shots for his third shutout of the season and Joe Sacco scored on a bouncing 80-foot shot in the third period for the Islanders against visiting Los Angeles.
FLYERS 2, BLUES 1: At Philadelphia, Colin Forbes deflected a shot by Dan McGillis for the decisive goal early in the second period, and John Vanbiesbrouck made 30 saves as the Flyers beat St. Louis.
PREDATORS 5, CANUCKS 4: At Nashville, Sergei Krivokrasov scored two goals, including the game-winner with 1:26 left, as the Predators snapped a three-game losing streak.