New York's Mark Messier (11) receives a hug from teammate Brian Leetch after the Rangers beat Washington, 6-3. Messier scored a short-handed goal to move into third place on the NHL career points list Monday at New York's Madison Square Garden.
New York — Mark Messier is most surprised with his lofty spot in NHL history.
The Rangers captain scored a short-handed goal to move into third place on the career points list as the New York Rangers beat the Washington Capitals 6-3 Monday night.
Messier's 23rd goal of the season, scored 5:45 in, pushed him past Marcel Dionne with 1,772 points. He added an assist on Radek Dvorak's short-handed goal in the second period that gave the Rangers a 5-2 advantage.
The 40-year-old center, who has 650 goals and 1,123 assists, trails only Wayne Gretzky (2,857) and Gordie Howe (1,850).
"I never really considered myself a pure goal scorer or a real pure point-getter," said Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion in his 22 NHL seasons. "It's surprising to me to see where I am, but obviously, it's the longevity that's enabled me to be in this position, and a lot of great people are around me.
"When I look at myself, I'm still trying to figure out how I'm still there."
Jan Hlavac, Kim Johnsson and Brian Leetch also scored in the opening period to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead and chase goalie Olaf Kolzig. New York, barely clinging to postseason hopes, had not scored six goals since Dec. 18.
"I certainly can't remember enough of them," Messier said when asked about other first-period spurts. "Playing with a lead in this league is everything."
The Southeast Division-leading Capitals lost their fourth straight. Washington had not lost four in a row since dropping six straight to close out the 1998-99 season. The Capitals, however, last lost on the road Jan. 27 (7-0-1).
"It's very serious," defenseman Sergei Gonchar said of the Capitals' skid. "With only nine games left before the playoffs, now is the time you want to play your best hockey."
Messier gave the Rangers the lead when he rushed the puck through the neutral zone, while teammate Manny Malhotra was off for holding, and dropped a pass to Dvorak at the blue line. Dvorak's shot was stopped, but the rebound came to Messier and he lifted the puck over Kolzig.
Predators 2,
Blue Jackets 1
Columbus, Ohio Cliff Ronning scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period and Tomas Vokoun lost his shutout bid with 1:59 remaining as Nashville snapped a two-game road losing streak. Scott Walker also scored for the Predators, who are 2-5-0-1 in their last eight road games. Vokoun, who finished with 18 saves, lost his shutout when David Vyborny converted a penalty shot. Columbus, which was unbeaten in its last three games, lost for just the third time in 10 games (6-3-1).
Stars 4, Wild 1
St. Paul, Minn. Mike Modano scored two first-period goals as Dallas extended its unbeaten streak to four games. After Minnesota closed within a goal, John MacLean and Shaun Van Allen added third-period goals for the Stars. Goalie Marty Turco finished with 22 saves. Antti Laaksonen scored a short-handed goal for the Wild.
Devils 4, Flames 2
Calgary, Alberta Scott Gomez scored two goals and New Jersey extended its franchise-record winning streak to 11 games. The victory clinched a playoff berth for New Jersey, which also recorded its fifth consecutive 40-win season. Sergei Brylin, Petr Sykora also score for the Devils, who tied a team record with their sixth straight road victory and moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference.
Flyers 4, Oilers 2
Edmonton, Alberta Mark Recchi had a goal and an assist and Eric Desjardins scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period as Philadelphia extended its winning streak to four games.
Kings 6, Coyotes 2
Los Angeles Bryan Smolinski had two goals and an assist and Los Angeles scored two short-handed goals in a 15-second span of the second period. Luc Robitaille scored his 35th goal and had two assists to increase his point total with Los Angeles to 1,071. He moved past Kings general manager Dave Taylor into second place on the franchise's career point list.
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