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Peca returns, is injured again in Isles' loss

BOSTON -- Glen Murray had a goal and an assist as the Bruins beat the Islanders 4-1 Thursday night in a game in which New York lost captain Michael Peca to a knee injury in his first meaningful action of the season.

Boston has won five of six, outscoring opponents 25-10. The Islanders dropped their eighth in 10 games.

Peca played a regular shift in the first period in his return from a left knee injury that caused him to miss all but 27 seconds of the Islanders' first 16 games this season.

He was injured in last season's playoffs and only played one shift since, an attempt to give his struggling teammates a boost on Nov. 2.

Peca was forced out Thursday night in the second period after he sprained his right knee behind the Boston net when he was tripped by P.J. Axelsson. Peca is day to day.

"It was sore," Peca said. "I went to turn and his stick got caught in my right skate. It was just too sore."

After Peca was injured, he flexed his knee as he skated slowly toward the bench. Upon reaching the boards, he whacked his stick in frustration, breaking the blade. He sat on the bench for a few minutes then went to the locker room for good.

Boston defenseman Don Sweeney played his 1,000 game, becoming the 180th player in league history and the 35th to do it all with the same team.

"I feel young," said Sweeney, 36.

SENATORS 3, PANTHERS 2 (OT): Todd White scored three minutes into overtime for host Ottawa.

Daniel Alfredsson scored six seconds after the Senators enjoyed a five-on-three advantage for a full two minutes as a result of Panthers coach Mike Keenan's penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct at 13:39.

With Olli Jokinen in the penalty box for hooking at 13:08, Jani Hurme was called for interference 21 seconds later. Keenan banged a stick on the boards in front of Florida's bench and the Panthers had three players in the box once Keenan was penalized.

"I'm very disappointed in the officiating," Keenan said.

WILD 1, PENGUINS 1: Richard Park scored his second goal of the season to lift host Minnesota into the tie.

The Wild is unbeaten in six overtime games this season and ended its first two-game losing streak. Its 23 points lead the Northwest Division.

The Penguins, using NHL scoring leader Mario Lemieux on a new line with Alexandre Daigle and Martin Straka, did not generate any more offense against Manny Fernandez.

Each team killed a double-minor penalty, with the Penguins failing to convert a four-minute power play.

CANUCKS 3, KINGS 2: Captain Markus Naslund scored a pair of power-play goals 34 seconds apart in the second period for host Vancouver. Russian rookie Alexander Frolov, with his fifth goal, and Derek Armstrong scored for the Kings, who have one win and three points in six games.

MIGHTY DUCKS 2, BLUE JACKETS 2: Steve Rucchin and Jason Krog scored in the final two minutes for visiting Anaheim. Columbus led 2-1 on Tyler Wright's jam shot with 8:46 remaining and was poised to improve its 6-1-0-1 record against the Ducks. But with 1:48 remaining, Krog scored on a rebound after goalie Marc Denis deflected Matt Cullen's backhander off the far post. Krog was there for his first goal. Rucchin scored with 31.1 seconds left.

AVALANCHE 3, PREDATORS 2: Peter Forsberg had a goal and two assists for visiting Colorado. The Avalanche's Rob Blake left the ice 22 seconds in when he he bruised his knee when he was hit by a shot. Nashville, with eight power-play goals in six games, was stopped on all six chances.

RANGERS 2, FLAMES 1: Mikael Samuelsson scored the go-ahead goal, and Dan Blackburn made 35 saves as visiting New York got its fourth win in five games.

COYOTES: Right wing Frank Banham was recalled from AHL Springfield.

DUCKS: First-round pick Joffrey Lupul signed a three-year deal worth $3.5-million. It begins next season.

PANTHERS: Goalie Wade Flaherty was reassigned to AHL San Antonio.

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