PHILADELPHIA -- The Flyers dealt the Rangers' fading playoff hopes a serious setback, getting two goals from Valeri Zelepukin and 21 saves from John Vanbiesbrouck as Philadelphia beat New York 3-1 on Saturday.

Zelepukin scored his goals in a span of 8:09 of the second period, rallying Philadelphia from a 1-0 deficit in its third straight win.The Rangers' loss threatened to keep New York out of the postseason for a second straight year. The Rangers are now seven points behind Boston for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 10 games remaining.

SABRES 1, PENGUINS 1: At Pittsburgh, Dominik Hasek returned to Buffalo's lineup and made 31 saves, helping the Sabres to a tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hasek left the team at midweek to see a specialist in Germany to have his lingering groin problems evaluated. He returned in time for Friday's practice and played Saturday, despite being diagnosed with a hernia.

BLACKHAWKS 4, DEVILS 4: At East Rutherford, N.J., Jason Arnott scored on a backhander in close with 10:47 to play to give New Jersey the tie.

Arnott's 24th goal of the season and fifth in his last seven games came just 21 seconds after Eric Daze had given the Blackhawks the lead.

SENATORS 7, ISLANDERS 3: At Uniondale, N.Y., Alexei Yashin had two goals and two assists and the Ottawa Senators broke open a close game with four goals in a 4:29 span between the second and third periods to beat the New York Islanders.

Marian Hossa scored twice and had an assist in the win, which moved the Senators four points ahead of the New Jersey Devils for the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Devils have one game in hand.

View Comments

CANUCKS 5, CANADIENS 1: At Vancouver, British Columbia, Adrian Aucoin scored two goals, including his franchise-record-setting 20th for defensemen, as the Vancouver snapped a six-game losing streak and dimmed Montreal's playoff hopes.

Mark Messier had two assists, including the 1,049th of his career, tying him with Gordie Howe for fourth on the all-time list.

BRUINS 2, MAPLE LEAFS 2: At Toronto Ray Bourque tied Paul Coffey for most goals scored by a defenseman but Toronto scored two third-period goals to come back and tie Boston.

The Bruins were coasting until Sergei Berezin got the Maple Leafs going with his team-leading 29th goal with 7:18 left.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.