NHL ROUNDUP : Fuhr Returns and Leads Buffalo to 3-2 Victory

Grant Fuhr made 26 saves in a triumphant return from a two-month absence Wednesday night to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils at East Rutherford, N.J.

Doug Bodger had two power-play goals as the Sabres ended an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3) at the Meadowlands Arena.

Fuhr had been sidelined because of a left knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery.

Montreal 9, Hartford 2--Lyle Odelein tied a club record for assists in a game by a defenseman with five as the Canadiens beat the Whalers at Montreal. Hall of Famer Doug Harvey also had five on Feb. 19, 1955.

Washington 5, Philadelphia 2--Sylvain Cote assisted on two of the Capitals’ three third-period goals to defeat the Flyers in a neutral-site game at Richfield, Ohio, and improved to 3-1 under new Coach Jim Schoenfeld.

Dallas 7, Winnipeg 3--Mike Modano scored two goals at Winnipeg, to raise his season total to 31 and lead the Stars to their fourth consecutive victory.

Detroit 3, Tampa Bay 1--Scotty Bowman registered his 1,000th coaching victory and rookie goalie Chris Osgood stopped 33 shots to lead the Red Wings at St. Petersburg, Fla.

N.Y. Islanders 4, N.Y. Rangers 4--Ray Ferraro’s goal with 1:02 left in the third period lifted the Islanders into a tie with the Rangers, who had three goals from Adam Graves and four assists from Mark Messier at New York.

Vancouver 6, Chicago 4--Cliff Ronning scored two first-period goals and goalie Kirk McLean faced only 16 shots in the Canucks’ victory Vancouver.

Florida 4, Ottawa 1--Rookie Rob Niedermayer scored two goals for the Panthers at Ottawa.