Mark Messier scored a goal and then was given a hero’s salute Wednesday night in what could have been his last home game with the New York Rangers.
But Messier’s 694th NHL goal in his 1,756 game wasn’t enough as the Rangers lost 4-3 to Buffalo.
The New York captain tied the game 1-1 when he scored his 18th of the season with 57 seconds left in the first period.
When the game ended, both teams stayed on the ice to tap their sticks and applaud the likely future Hall of Famer. Messier skated around, waving to the adoring crowd while wiping tears away.
“I guess the great part about it is being able to share it with not only your teammates but the fans,” Messier said. “The fans have been nothing but tremendously loyal.”
Messier, completing his 25th NHL season, usually waits until late in the summer to decide whether to continue his career, and said he still plans to do the same this year.
Flyers veterans to return
Captain Keith Primeau and veteran defenseman Eric Desjardins are expected to return Thursday when Philadelphia visits Montreal.
Primeau has been out with a concussion since Feb. 12, while Desjardins missed 10 weeks with a broken right arm.
The Flyers have three games remaining and are tied with New Jersey for the Atlantic Division lead with 98 points. The Devils have two games left to play.
Wings clinch best in West
Robert Lang scored his first goal in a Detroit uniform, leading Detroit to a 3-2 victory over Columbus that clinched the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Red Wings have a three-point lead over Tampa Bay for the NHL’s best record.
RESULTS, WEDNESDAY’S SYNOPSIS
Montreal 1 at N.Y. Islanders 5
Mark Parrish, Roman Hamrlik each had 2 goals as Islanders dropped magic number to 2 in race for final playoff spot. Islanders’ 25 home wins most since winning 26 in 1984-85.
Detroit 3 at Columbus 2
Blue Jackets angry after cheap shot by Wings’ Kirk Maltby on Rostislav Klesla with 4:52 left in game. Columbus GM Doug MacLean called check into open bench door jamb “gutless.”
Buffalo 4 at N.Y. Rangers 3
Jochen Hecht scored pair of goals 21 seconds apart to break open tie game, assisted on 2 other goals. Sabres trail Isles by 3 points with 2 games left. Jaromir Jagr left in 2nd (strained hip).
Ottawa 5 at Florida 4
Martin Havlat scored winner with 6:26 left in 3rd. Florida’s Roberto Luongo faced 35 shots and set single-season record for shots faced (2,443; Toronto’s Felix Potvin 2,438 in 1996-97).
Colorado 4 at Minnesota 5
Marc Chouinard scored 2nd goal of game 53 seconds into OT. Michael Liles’ goal for Colorado (1-5-1-1 in last 8) with 1:09 to play set up OT. Wild 22-2-5 when scoring 3 or more goals.
Edmonton 3 at Dallas 1
Ryan Smyth broke 2nd-period tie with power-play goal. Oilers now even with 7th-place St. Louis in West. Stars, 4th in West, had 17-game home unbeaten streak (13-0-4) snapped.
Phoenix 0 at Calgary 1
Jarome Iginla, only current Flame to wear Calgary sweater in playoffs, scored his 40th goal, Miikka Kiprusoff had 27 saves for 4th shutout as Flames clinched 1st playoff berth in 8 years.
Vancouver 2 at Anaheim 1
Brendan Morrison set up tying goal by Markus Naslund and winner by Sami Salo with 21 seconds left as Canucks won 4th in row while Mighty Ducks lost 4th in row.
San Jose 3 at Los Angeles 0
Alyn McCauley and Niko Dimitrakos scored 29 seconds apart in 2nd period. Evgeni Nabokov made 22 saves to earn his 30th win and 9th shutout of season.
