UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- In the first meeting between the New York heavyweights since the Islanders' Chris Simon received a 25-game suspension for a stick-swinging attack against the Rangers' Ryan Hollweg on March 8, the teams engaged in a fight-filled preseason game Monday night that had all the venom of a contest that counts.
When emotions totally spilled over midway through the second period, Hollweg and Simon fought as did goalies Rick DiPietro of the Islanders and Rangers backup Al Montoya.
The Islanders won 5-4 on Mike Comrie's goal at 3:02 of overtime, but that was merely an aside. In the rematch, Simon took a hard hit from Hollweg behind the Rangers net early in the second period. After the whistle blew, the two came together -- as they did in the opening frame to draw roughing penalties -- jawed, and exchanged stick jabs. Colton Orr stepped in to defend Hollweg and dropped gloves with Simon.
Orr had the upper hand early until Simon ended the bout with a quick punch. That was merely the undercard.
With 11:49 left in the period, Hollweg landed a heavy hit behind the Islanders net on defenseman Freddy Meyer and was whistled for a penalty. Simon charged Hollweg from behind and set off a brawl.
Orr moved toward the boards but was cut off by Kip Brennan, leading to a fight. Hollweg and Simon came together and tangled, but Rangers forward Jason Strudwick, who fought Brennan in the first period, jumped Simon.
Islanders forwards Jeremy Colliton and Andy Hilbert joined the fray that drifted toward DiPietro's crease. Full story
Wild 2, Sabres 1
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Brian Rolston scored both goals to lift Minnesota.
Rolston, who led the Wild in goals last season, netted the game winner early in the third period when left alone between the faceoff circles. Pierre-Marc Bouchard won a battle along the boards and slid the puck to Eric Belanger, whose pass from the corner set up Rolston's one-timer.
Minnesota goalie Josh Harding preserved the lead by stopping Michael Ryan on a breakaway with five minutes left and a flurry of four shots in the final minute. Harding finished with 25 saves.
Phillip Gogulla had a goal and Jocelyn Thibault made 20 saves for Buffalo.
Lightning 4, Red Wings 3
TAMPA, Fla. -- Martin St. Louis scored two power-play goals to lead Tampa Bay.
St. Louis tied it 2-2 on his first goal, coming midway through the first. His second put Tampa Bay ahead 4-2 at 14:39 of the second.
Andre Roy and Andreas Karlsson also scored for the Lightning. Karri Ramo had 20 saves.
Detroit received goals from Jonathan Ericsson, Johan Franzen and Brett Lebda, who scored with 3:31 left in the third to make it 4-3. Chris Osgood played two periods and stopped 14 of 18 shots. Most of Detroit's regulars didn't make the trip.
Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT)
TORONTO -- Patrick Eaves scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift Ottawa.
Christoph Schubert added two goals for Ottawa, which is 4-0 in the preseason. Dany Heatley scored the other goal for the Senators.
Mats Sundin, John Pohl and Alexei Ponikarovsky scored for the Leafs (2-1-2).
With the game tied 3-3 in overtime, Jason Spezza stickhandled around Pavel Kubina on the left wing and slid a cross-crease pass to Eaves, who shoveled it past Andrew Raycroft.
Devils 3, Flyers 1
PHILADELPHIA -- Nicklas Bergfors scored two goals to lead the Devils.
Rod Pelley also scored for the Devils (2-2). Danny Briere scored his first goal for the Flyers (2-2.)
New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, making his first preseason appearance, stopped all eight shots he faced in the first period.
Brodeur, who won a record 48 games in 2006-07, was replaced at the start of the second period by Frank Doyle, who went the rest of the way and turned away nine of 10 shots. Martin Biron made 22 saves for the Flyers.
