Uniondale, N.Y. — With the New York Rangers on the way to their worst winless streak in 12 years, Mike Richter pushed aside flu symptoms and came to the rescue.
Richter picked up his rookie backup with 35 saves in relief Tuesday night as the Rangers stormed back from a three-goal deficit to beat the New York Islanders 5-4.
Theo Fleury scored the game-winner at 8:02 of the third period when he snared the puck from defenseman Marko Kiprusoff and raced three-quarters the length of the ice to score his second goal of the game.
"I was pretty confident on that breakaway," said Fleury, who had one goal in his previous 11 games. "I didn't hesitate. I just went in and picked my spot."
Dan Blackburn has played well in Richter's stead, but had the worst night of his young NHL career, allowing four goals in just over five minutes as the Islanders built a 4-1 lead midway through the first.
"It's disappointing anytime you get pulled," the 18-year-old Blackburn said. "But I'm glad the guys responded and played hard to get a win out of it."
Richter, taking antibiotics for a flu he's had for several days, stoned the Islanders the rest of the way to break a nine-game winless streak and avoid the team's worst stretch since the 1989-90 season.
"The turning point was when they pulled the kid and put Richter in," Islanders captain Michael Peca said.
Senators 1, Flyers 1
Philadelphia Martin Havlat scored a fluke unassisted goal at 7:12 of the third period to lift Ottawa, snapping the Flyers' seven-game home winning streak. Havlat's shot from inside the right circle trickled off Philadelphia goaltender Roman Cechmanek, but Flyers defenseman Kim Johnsson tipped the puck back into the net in a clearing attempt.
Capitals 3, Thrashers 0
Atlanta Olaf Kolzig made 27 saves for his 25th career shutout, and second this season against Atlanta. Ulf Dahlen, Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Witt scored goals to back Kolzig's fourth shutout of the season.
Maple Leafs 6, Flames 1
Calgary, Alberta Alexander Mogilny scored twice and had an assist as Toronto ended a five-game winless streak with a victory over Calgary.
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