Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008

DETROIT (AP) Marian Hossa's decision to leave Pittsburgh to sign with Detroit will only be validated if he helps the Red Wings hoist the Stanley Cup.

In control: Islanders center Frans Nielsen skates with the puck as Flyers center Glen Metropolit chases him during the first period on Tuesday at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. Philadelphia beat New York 3-1. AP PHOTO

Hossa's former teammates, though, can feel good about beating him in their first shot.

Jordan Staal had a hat trick in the third period and set up Ruslan Fedotenko's winning goal with 1:11 remaining in overtime, lifting the Penguins to a 7-6 comeback win over the Red Wings on Tuesday night.

Hossa had two assists against the team he left as a free agent to chase a Cup in Detroit, signing a one-year deal instead of staying in Pittsburgh for a longer and more lucrative contract.

Predators 4, Sharks 3 (OT)

In San Jose, Ville Koistinen scored with 2:32 left in overtime, and Dan Ellis made 54 saves against the Sharks' franchise-record shooting barrage in Nashville's win.

Ryan Suter and Vernon Fiddler scored tying goals in the third period for the Predators, and Ellis' brilliance kept his club in a one-sided game. Nashville snapped a three-game losing streak and ended San Jose's nine-game home winning streak.

Devin Setoguchi had two goals and an assist while matching the club record with 10 shots for the Sharks, who lost at home for the first time this season. San Jose shattered the franchise record of 50 shots well before overtime, finishing with 57 — but only Setoguchi and Rob Blake managed to beat Ellis.

Canadiens 4, Senators 0

In Montreal, Chris Higgins scored three goals and Carey Price got his first shutout of the season to lead the hosts to the win over Ottawa.

Higgins scored a short-handed goal 7:22 in before extending the Canadiens' lead to 2-0 with his second of the game 14:11 into the second. He completed his first career hat trick when he scored Montreal's fourth goal on a breakaway 16:35 into the third.

Guillaume Latendresse also scored for the Habs.

Flyers 3, Islanders 1

In Uniondale, N.Y., Danny Briere scored before leaving with another injury as Philadelphia beat the Islanders.

With former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell on hand for the U.S. Veterans Day matinee, Briere staked the Flyers to a 1-0 advantage but didn't get back on the ice following his fifth goal of the season — all scored in his past four games. Briere made a quick return on Saturday from abdominal surgery. This time he had an unspecified lower body injury.

Mike Richards and Kimmo Timonen scored as Philly snapped a three-game losing streak.

Flames 4, Maple Leafs 3

In Calgary, Dustin Boyd had two goals and the hosts held on for the win.

Jarome Iginla and Dion Phaneuf also scored for the Flames.

Kings 3, Stars 2 (SO)

In Los Angeles, Alexander Frolov scored in the fifth round of a shootout, Jarret Stoll had a power-play goal in his 300th NHL game and the Kings beat Dallas.

TORONTO (AP) NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday a second NHL team in Ontario isn't currently on the league's agenda, even if the market could support one.

"Can the Ontario market support another team? Probably," Bettman told an audience at a sports business conference in Toronto. "But you can't base a decision on probability. You have got to study the market closely."

Bettman went on to say that relocating an existing franchise to the Toronto area to compete with the Maple Leafs would not happen because all 30 of the NHL's clubs are in good financial shape. He also said expansion was not on the horizon, either, because of "uncertain economic conditions."

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