Defenseman Brian Rafalski of the New Jersey Devils will likely miss the final 10 games of the regular season with a broken right leg.
Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello also said Tuesday that captain Scott Stevens, recovering from a concussion, could be available for the playoffs.
Rafalski bruised a bone behind his right knee Feb. 28 against Toronto and aggravated the injury last Tuesday against Philadelphia.
X-rays Sunday showed a fractured fibula. The injury will not require a cast, and Rafalski should only need rest to be ready for next month’s playoffs, Lamoriello said.
Pens to lower ticket prices
With attendance sagging to 20-year lows and a potential NHL work stoppage on the horizon, Pittsburgh Penguins team President Ken Sawyer said the team would reduce ticket prices across the board for the 2004-05 season.
In its first 36 home games, Pittsburgh has averaged just 11,791 fans per game.
Sabres’ hopes take hit
Buffalo’s playoff chances took a hit when defenseman Alexei Zhitnik was lost for the rest of the regular season with a non-displaced fracture in his right shoulder.
In addition, captain Chris Drury suffered a concussion in Monday’s 6-5 overtime loss to Toronto and will be lost for a minimum of a week.
RESULTS, TUESDAY’S SYNOPSIS
N.Y. Islanders 3 at Tampa Bay 1
Islanders scored 3 goals in 3rd period, including Justin Papineau’s winner with 6:54 left, to improve to 3-22-3 when trailing after 2 periods. Tampa Bay lost for just 2nd time in regulation when ahead after 40 minutes (29-2-1-2).
Calgary 4 at Detroit 1
Miikka Kiprusoff made 25 saves as Calgary stretched unbeaten streak to 6 (4-0-2) while ending Detroit’s 8-game run (7-0-1). Flames’ Craig Conroy, playing his 600th game, scored a goal.
Boston 2 at Toronto 1
Travis Green, waived by the Maple Leafs in October, scored 2 power-play goals as Bruins clinched a postseason berth. Boston is unbeaten in 6 (5-0-1); Toronto has lost 4 of 6.
Colorado 2 at Montreal 4
Saku Koivu, who extended his point streak to 6 games, broke 2-2 tie 4:18 into 3rd period with a PP goal. Montreal 10-1-0-1 in last 12; Colorado’s 4-game unbeaten streak snapped.
Washington 1 at Pittsburgh 4
Landon Wilson had 2 PP goals and Matt Hussey scored in his 1st NHL game as Pens ran unbeaten streak to 6 (5-0-1). Wilson had 3 PP goals in 339 previous games. Caps have lost 8 of 9.
Ottawa 2 at Minnesota 5
Wild’s Marian Gaborik scored 3 goals and assisted on 2 others, and Dwayne Roloson made 36 saves. Senators were without 2nd-leading scorer Daniel Alfredsson (bruised thigh).
San Jose 3 at Dallas 3
Jonathan Cheechoo scored twice in final 1:37, including tying goal with :34 left, as Sharks rallied from 3-0 deficit in 3rd. Stars extended home unbeaten streak to franchise-best 15 (11-0-4).
Anaheim 3 at Phoenix 2
Sergei Fedorov scored :29 into OT as Ducks extended Coyotes’ winless streak to 13 (0-8-2-3). Phoenix is 0-7-1-3 since interim coach Rick Bowness took over for Bobby Francis on Feb. 24.
Columbus 2 at Edmonton 3
Ethan Moreau scored with 5:23 remaining in 3rd period as Oilers handed Blue Jackets their 7th straight loss. Edmonton has earned at least a point in 10 straight games (5-0-2-3).
Nashville 2 at Vancouver 2
Predators’ Adam Hall scored with :19.1 left in regulation to tie it, and Tomas Vokoun stopped Martin Rucinsky on a breakaway with :05 left in OT. Canucks 3-0-1 vs. Nashville this season.
St. Louis 5 at Los Angeles 3
Petr Cajanek had a goal, 2 assists as Blues moved past Kings for a playoff spot in West minus D Chris Pronger (suspended 1 game for kicking at Calgary’s Ville Nieminen on Sunday).
