NHL ROUNDUP : Belfour, Blackhawks Stymie Canucks Again

Goaltender Ed Belfour, who sat out the previous four games because of a sore back, made 49 saves as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Vancouver Canucks for the 10th consecutive time, 5-2 Thursday night at Chicago.

The Canucks played most of the game without two-time 60-goal scorer Pavel Bure, who sprained his knee in the first period. Coach Rick Ley said the knee will be examined thoroughly today.

Florida 2, Edmonton 1--Johan Garpenlov ended a night of frustration for Florida on the power play when he scored at 12:17 of the third period to lift the Panthers over the Oilers at Miami.

The victory was a team-record fifth in a row for the Panthers, who lead the Atlantic Division with a 12-4-0 record for 24 points, the most in the NHL. A season-low 10,816 watched the game, the first since it was publicized the team was officially put up for sale.

Garpenlov’s goal was the first on a power play since Oct. 31.

Colorado 1, Dallas 1--The Avalanche outshot the Stars, 30-18, but only got a goal from Troy Murray and settled for a tie at Denver.

The tie ended a franchise-best eight-game winning streak for the Avalanche, which is 6-0-2 at home.

Philadelphia 3, Calgary 1--Joel Otto, in his first game against his former team, broke open a third-period scoreless tie with a goal and Mikael Renberg added a two more as the Flyers won at Philadelphia.

Otto, who played his first 730 NHL games with the Flames before signing with Philadelphia as a free agent in the off-season, scored his second goal of the season on a power play at 3:56.

Boston 4, Ottawa 3--The Bruins improved their record against Ottawa to 17-0, outshooting the Senators, 51-16, and overcoming a two-goal deficit at Boston.