Islanders Make It Four for the Road

Mark Parrish scored three goals as the surprising New York Islanders became the second NHL team to open a season with four consecutive road victories, defeating the New Jersey Devils, 6-4, on Thursday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

Adrian Aucoin, Alexei Yashin and Shawn Bates also scored and Garth Snow stopped 26 shots.

The 4-0 start matches the best in Islander history (1976-77). The Chicago Blackhawks were the only other NHL team to open with four consecutive road wins, doing it in 1965-66.

Toronto 3, Carolina 2--Jonas Hoglund’s rebound goal with 5:18 left spoiled Hurricane goaltender Tom Barrasso’s return to the NHL after a year layoff as the Maple Leafs won at Raleigh, N.C.

Nashville 1, Calgary 0--Mike Dunham made 26 saves and Vladimir Orszagh scored a power-play goal in the first period as the Predators defeated the Flames at Nashville.

Vancouver 4, Dallas 1--Trent Klatt scored two goals as the Canucks defeated the Stars at Dallas to end their season-opening three-game losing streak.

Chicago 3, Phoenix 0--Jocelyn Thibault had 33 saves as the Blackhawks won their home opener, defeating the Coyotes.

Edmonton 5, Colorado 3--Jochen Hecjt, Ryan Smyth and Josh Green scored within a 5:06 span in the third period to lead the Oilers at Edmonton, Canada.

San Jose 4, Tampa Bay 3--Vincent Damphousse scored twice at San Jose to lead the Sharks to their first victory of the season.

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Jaromir Jagr is close to signing a five-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth nearly $60 million, a source close to the negotiations said. The agreement would keep Jagr in a Capital uniform through 2008.